Downpour in Singapore

Arrived at our hotel in Singapore (the Hilton this time, not the Pan Pacific where we stayed last year, though the rooms look eerily similar) shortly after 11pm and got to the hotel around midnight. When you're traveling with 30 or so people, even the simplest things are a big production, so I didn't actually get into my room until close to 1am. Fortunately, today's university fair was in our hotel, because it poured rain for most of the day. Managed to get out earlier this evening, however - the rain had ended and the sun was out.



Here's a shot from the lobby of the Hilton Singapore.












Singapore loves to shop, even as much as Tokyo (if that's possible). Michigan Avenue in Chicago on the the day after Thanksgiving has nothing on Orchard Street in Singapore on a random afternoon. I just turned right from the hotel and went with the flow. Contrary to popular myth in the US, people do jaywalk in Singapore, and they don't get thrown into prison for it.



On the street outside our hotel.












Found the Toast Box in one of the many malls near the hotel - cue more insane jealousy from Brian.










There's a DQ/Orange Julius nearby. If anyone connected with the Richmond Art Museum is keeping up with the blog, tell Barry Johnston I had Mocha Waffle Chip Blizzard in Singapore today.

You all know I can't resist a bakery window full of fanciful cakes!

There's a Fernando Botero sculpture across the street from the DQ, in which I seemed to be the only person who was remotely interested.

There's also a "McCafe" - has anyone seen these in the US yet? It's basically an open-air McDonald's, you order at the counter and dine al fresco outside the mega-shopping complex.










A full day of school visits tomorrow, then off to Ho Chi Minh City!