OUT & ABOUT
SCOOT YOUR WAY TO SENSATIONAL SINGAPORE
with Scott McRae , The Travelling Guy
When it comes to holiday destinations under 10 hours flight time from my home base in Sydney , Singapore has always been a personal favourite . So , when it became one of our neighbouring countries that relaxed its COVID entry requirements a little more last week , I was more than eager to return . Singapore has so many travel prerequisites covered and it ’ s a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lives .
Its cuisine is influenced by its diverse population from all around Asia . Think Eurasians , Peranakans , Indonesians , Chinese , Pakistanis , Middle Easterners and a few English and you get my drift , right ?
Singapore is a foodie ’ s dream destination , where you can visit a hawkers ’ centre in Chinatown or Arab Street and eat yourself silly for $ 20 AUD . Yes , you will be able to roll out and home !
While developing some of the most stunning skyscrapers with a significant tilt towards sustainability and constructed to ‘ wow ’, the architecture has still firmly held on to its art deco and colonial historic charms .
If you ’ re travelling with the family and want to earn major brownie points ,
Sentosa Island with its almost endless enthralling alternatives is undoubtedly a must see when visiting ‘ instant Asia ’. You can reach Sentosa by cable car with its amazing views or take the monorail . The pedestrian boardwalk is another alternative and a terrific example of Singapore ’ s modern way of life .
Once there , the possibilities are incredible . As I exited the monorail with its spectacular view , I proceeded to the islands ’ newest attraction , The Skyhelix . This is an open air gondola-style ride that slowly rises 79 metres above sea level , providing 360-degree views as far as the eye can see . If you are afraid of heights , maybe walk past this one .
As I travelled across the island on yet another cable car , I was struck by the beauty of its beaches ; you could easily spend a relaxing afternoon soaking up the Singapore sun . Unfortunately , I was on a mission and the clock was ticking .
Resorts World Sentosa was next and it was as mind blowing as I was led to believe . I found it almost impossible to comprehend how many entertainment , accommodation and restaurant options could be squeezed into 50 acres and not make you feel claustrophobic . There was still plenty of open space and green settings to enjoy .
The next thing was deciding which attractions to visit . Adventure Cove Waterpark , S . E . A . Aquarium , The Maritime Experiential Museum and Dolphin Island are a few , so take your time . For me though , and not normally
one for the theme parks , Universal Studios was an absolute cracker . Do not miss out on hopping on The Mummy and Power Rangers rides , just don ’ t ! Must do I had the pleasure of walking through Chinatown with renowned artist and street muralist Yip Yew Chong , who offered me an insight into some of his unique and captivating works . This is one you can do yourself , and it will only cost you your time and your imagination .
Not only do you get an insight into the Yew Chong ’ s Chinatown , but you will also be transported back in time ; it feels like you can walk inside the artwork and become a part of his personal history . Getting there If you are looking for a super cost effective choice when flying to Singapore , I suggest you give Singapore Airlines low cost carrier Scoot a go . My journey was seamless and surprisingly very comfortable .
The Scooties , as the staff are affectionately dubbed , are up there with the most helpful and attentive flight crews I have ever experienced . Also , flying in the big bodied sleek and stylish Dreamliner certainly removed any restrained feelings you may experience on other carriers .
Scoot ’ s versions of Economy , Premium and Business are also out of the box with the choice of Economy , Scoot in Silence ( no kids in sight ) and ScootBiz
( Scoots Business Class ). Check out flyscoot . com for the scoop on Scoot . Stay Swissotel Stamford is a master class in delivering slick service and luxurious accommodation and is located in one of the most accessible and scenic positions possible . Finally reopened after two long years serving as a quarantine hotel , staff here are in raptures at the return of much-missed travelling guests .
Affordable lavishness is the go here and every room is brimming with chic design and technology-enhanced trimmings . With some delightful dining options in house and the direct connection to the alluring shopping precinct of Raffles City you will be more than happy with your surroundings .
My Travellingguy tip at Swissotel is to treat yourself to a meal or at the very least a couple of sundowners at Skai on the seventieth floor . Beautiful views and delectable cuisine . Visit my website for some fantastic reopening specials .
Scott McRae is The Travelling Guy for more stories and travel videos visit www . thetravellingguy . com
Course will be golfers ’ delight by Greg Martin
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Andrew Bodnar , keen golfer and the finance and operations manager of Kingdom Developments , the new owners of Hawkesbury River Golf Course at Windsor , is definitely a man who believes a glass is half full , not half empty .
After the recent floods inundated all nine holes and the driving range at the former Rum Corps Barracks GC , Andrew and his fellow Kingdom executives decided to tug the full steam-ahead cord and speed up the planned extensive development of the course .
“ The course was a mess , so we decided to take advantage of its closure to really get stuck into the redevelopment of the club ,” Andrew said . “ At first , we were going to open the course as quickly as possible so golfers could continue to play , and the original plan was to endeavour to get all the work done around them .
“ But as the damage was so extensive to the greens , tees and fairways we bit the bullet and opted to take advantage of the closure and get stuck into the redevelopment .”
At the moment , the driving range is still out of play due to a lake of surface water which is now being pumped out day and night – Andrew says : “ fingers crossed , it will be open for use sometime this month ”.
The intention of Andrew and his cohorts is to entice not only social golfers to the club but the general public as well .
Photo : Kathryn Johnston .
“ We will be changing the configurations of several holes which we ’ re sure will be appreciated by golfers but , as we are targeting new customers of all ages , we will be offering many more facilities ,” Andrew said . “ There ’ ll be an 18-hole chip and putt course with distances ranging from 40m to 100m , three Putt-Putt courses , a café and golf simulators on which golfers can practise their strokes or play at many of the world ’ s great courses such as Augusta National , Pebble Beach and the Old Course at St Andrews .
“ Lighting will be installed so the chip and putt course will be open both day and night .”
In the meantime , work is progressing quickly on the course itself .
The full rebuild will include installation of a new irrigation system , full drainage to the existing 9-hole course , new tee boxes , fairway shaping and drainage and new green complexes .
“ We are aiming to have both the 9-hole and 18-hole pitch and putt courses open by early December but of course this will be dependent on how kind the weather is to us ,” Andrew said .
28 ISSUE 145 // JUNE 2022 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT