Paddington Station's Sculptures and Secrets

 

Sculpture on the corner of Praed Street. Sculpture Called The Wild Table Of Love. 

The |Elephant on The Wild Table Of Love Sculpture. Outside Paddington Station. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

The Wild Table of Love sculpture by Gillie and Marc. Praed Street. Outside Paddington Station

. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

The Wild Table of Love

The sculpture is nothing to do with Alice in Wonderland. It was created by two Australian artists, concerned about animals facing extinction , including the elephant. The idea is that we human are at the same table as the animals and share our world. There are two empty chairs where you can sit and be photographed with the sculpture.

Wikipedia article on Paddington station has a picture of the Paddington Bear sculpture on Platform 1.

Paddington station's official name is London Paddington which is how it is listed in Wikipedia.

The overground section built by Brunel was in his time on the west of London and ran west to Wales. 

The Paddington underground station has exits adjacent and within a complex. The station occupies the whole of a block on Praed Street, including the old station hotel.

The Big Hotel

The old railway hotel was built in grand style. It is now, in 2026, a Hilton.

 They were charging about £400 for a walk-in rate which was the price quoted to me on reception in October. But you might find it cheaper off-peak and booked through booking.com.

Toilets and Shops

The toilets are on ground floor, on platform 1 of the mainline overground station.

Upstairs, above the underground, are branches of Mango and Accessorize. Somewhere to go whilst waiting to meet a friend, or for a break before catching a second train.

Useful Websites on Paddington Station

London Museum

https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/london-stories/paddington-station-bears-westward-travel/

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Paddington_station

TFL (Transport For London)

https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/

I have several more blog posts on Paddington, Paddington Bear sculpture, the Paddington Clock.

https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2022/09/paddington-bears-in-england-and-south.html

https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/stop/940GZZLUPAC/paddington-underground-station/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_public_art_in_Paddington

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Wild_Table_of_Love_by_Gillie_and_Marc_21.jpg

-ends-

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How Reading The News Helps Travellers Be Prepared

  

No news is good news, goes the old saying. Because newspaper headlines and the ones which grab out attention are often about wars, individual deaths, murders, accidents robberies and scams. 

Those Who Avoid Bad News

I have one friend who has a sick, elderly husband.  Yet she is very active in the community. She goes to art exhibitions. But she says she doesn't read the news because it is depressing. 

I, on the other hand, read the news because it is vital to me when I am travelling. 

Flights Affected Worldwide

I always remember 9/11, when I and my husband were in Singapore. A friend in Singapore phoned told me, gasping, "Turn on the news because a plane flew into a tower block in New York!"

My husband and I were busy packing to go to a conference in South Africa the next day. I am creative and easily distracted, but my husband is scientific and focused. 

My husband said, 'We should get on with our packing, not waste time reading or watching the news from far away. It won't affect us, or out travel plans."

But it did affect our travel plans. Changi was badly affected. Signs did not say where to go. Finally, after an hour's wait, go to this gate. Then Change - Go to that gate.

Why? Firstly, because the planes which were supposed to land in the USA were turned back. Those planes supposed to arrive in Singapore from the USA did not reach us. Passengers, as well as planes were diverted. Planes had not enough passengers, or too many passengers, had to land at different airports.

Secondly, a nervous potential passenger, scared to fly, sent a bomb scare threat to give himself an excuse not to fly.

Security was stepped up at the airport so the opening of bags, checking of bags, questioning as to whether you packed your own bag, was increased.

People cancelled flights because their events were changed, their holiday destinations changed, meetings were cancelled.

I read the news for the bad news and for the good news.

On my travels, I read local papers to know about local events and people. When I go to another country, I read their newspapers. I need to know the bad news, dangerous roads, pickpocket hotspots. 

Discount Delights

But I also want to now the good news. Restaurants which won awards. Discount stores. Free drinks with meals Tourist deals on two tours for the price of one.  Free delivery to my hotel or home.

Today in the online news I see three different kinds of news story. First, war in the middle east. 

Secondly, a teenager who killed his parents and siblings in the USA. I am wondering if we need to be teaching the next generation worldwide not to fight over grievances going back three generations, or even three weeks. Or are memories of old fights a warning of dangers to come?

Skyscraper Balcony & Window Falls

The last dramatic story I read was from the UK and it was about a pregnant mother of five who fell out of an open window in a skyscraper where she lived.

Five children in a skyscraper with open windows strikes me as a danger, even without a mother who has a lot on her mind, and no foresight to use birth control.

Not everybody would agree with me on the birth control issues. But I still think there is mileage in this question. Why is a family of five housed in a skyscraper where you can open and fall out of windows?

USA Hotel Window Precautions

I remember visiting a hotel in a skyscraper in American. The windows did not open, to prevent accidents.

Skyscraper Versus Ground Floor Motels And Garden Cities

 We need to rethink the advantages for families of garden cities with accessible employment and shopping and health services. We need to rethink ground floor living. 

Skyscraper, Balcony and Window Security

We need to rethink windows which have air vents. Maybe add bay window for views. But not windows which open wide. Consider grilles. As is done in Singapore before you can get a license to have a cat in a flat.

Photo credit Cyberuly - My Nikon D60 from Wikipedia. window safety grille.

In the UK a copany called Omlet makes a caat balcony run.

Omlet cat balcony run, UK.

Alarmed Fire Escape Doors

Instead alarmed windows, and fires escape doors with alarms to prevent burglary through the fire escape and to alert residents and neighbours and caretakers and fire services when children run out or fires break out.

News At Night And Good Sleep

But that is the future. What is the message for you now? It used to be the case that the ten o'clock news was the last thing at night and people did not watch because it worried them before they tried to sleep. So the news always ended with a funny or happy story.

After reading the news last thing at night, I try to read something jolly, or watch a humorous item on YouTube.

Happy Thoughts & Plans

When travelling, I gather up free newspapers. I often don't have time to read them thoroughly when busy travelling during the day. So last thing at night I cut out the coupons for offers to chase the next day. I note these welcome thoughts and plans in my diary.

Useful Websites

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13991417/pictured-pregnant-woman-died-tower-block-fall.html

https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/cat_products/cat_balcony_enclosure/

Please share links to posts you enjoy reading, and re-reading. See my similar post including seasonal Halloween clothes on my blog dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com 

https://dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com/2024/10/what-news-at-home-and-overseas-tells-us.html

Marketing Singlish in Singapore

 

The flag of Singapore, bordered, to show the white of the flag against the white of a computer's or mobile's screen.

Angela Lansbury by the pool in a Singapore condo, November 2022. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Today a Singaporean friend told me, "I won't be swimming at the weekend, when the pool is crowded. Instead I shall be marketing."

I replied, "You are working? At the weekend? Marketing what?" 

She replied, "Not working. Shopping. At the market."

I relayed this story to my husband. I said, "Singaporeans have shortened the sentence, and changed the meaning of the English."

"No," replied my husband. "Marketing originally meant buying in the market. We in Britain have changed the English word to mean selling."

Angela Lansbury in cap in the colours of the Union Jack flag of UK.

If you want to swim in Singapore, many hotels have pools. When my son and daughter-in-law came to Singapore, they spent a night at the Marina Bay Sands hotel which has an infinity pool on top of Singapore's landmark triple towers. 

Singapore has new underground railway stations which I have written about in my other posts. You hear English and Chinese (Mandarin) as well as Malay and Tamil recorded announcements, in the four official languages of Singapore, on the stations and trains.

I have several posts on Singlish and American English and British English. Please share links to your favourite posts.

This post is

https://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com/2022/11/marketing-singlish.html

Useful Websites

SINGLISH

https://thehoneycombers.com/singapore/singlish-101/

https://expatliving.sg/you-ang-moh-how-to-speak-singlish/

http://www.mysmu.edu/faculty/jacklee/singlish_K.htm

http://www.mysmu.edu/faculty/jacklee/singlish_T.htm

Travel to Singapore

Singapore Tourism Board

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK

https://www.stb.gov.sg/content/stb/en.html

From Singapore's Changi Airport Take the Train and learn Chinese, Malay,and English VIP Names

Airport Boulevard leading to and from Changi airport has roadworks and lane closures scheduled 13-25 Feb 2019, a good time to consider taking the MRT train instead.





Singapore Flag.

Singapore is a great stopover on your way to Asia or Australia and a great destination in its own right. Take the train from or to the airport and learn to recognize English, Chinese and Malay names.

Arriving at Changi airport you can catch a train into town. When I visit Singapore I look at the names on the train map and try to find out what they mean which makes them easier to remember and recognize. I also listen to the announcements and ask people sitting alongside me or passers-by for translations. The station names tell you about the terrain, the geography, as well as Singapore's history.

Airport On The Train Line
Singapore's Changi airport is on the Singapore MRT, the last stop on east end of the green line, the East-West line, which forks to go to either Changi or Pasir Ris. Pasir Ris means white sand.

Small carry on bags to carry onto the train.

A One-Wheelie Bag Hop
I recently travelled to Singapore, and for the first time travelled longhaul for about 13 hours from Heathrow,  with only a carry-on bag.  I had less weight to carry and less clutter than usual so I considered taking the train all the way west across the island.

Seasonal lights. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Taxi or Train?
Instead I gook a taxi, which cost a lot more. When my taxi got stuck in a traffic jam caused by a road accident, I thought: next time I should seriously consider taking the efficient train service. The trains  run about every 5 minutes or even quicker. From Singapore's major MRT stations you can switch to the bus, hire a taxi, or a bicycle, and find fast food and a free toilet.



Swap from train to bus or bike and watch others at work. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

A couple of days later I took the wonderful MRT in the opposite direction and travelled east on the blue Downtown line towards Changi. I changed at busy Bugis onto the green East-West line (which posters tell you is being extended even further), ending at Pasir Ris.

More people will have Changi Airport as their destination.

Changi Airport. Photo by David in Wikipedia under Changi Airport.

CHANGI AIRPORT and MRT train station
Changi is known for its award-winning modern airport, a great shopping centre which has green walls and palm trees, giant sculptures, seasonal displays and a free Butterfly Garden on two levels with giant butterflies which you can admire and photograph. Changi Prison and Museum also attract those interested in history.

Free Tour Bus
If you are on Singapore Airlines and have a long stopover of, say, five hours in the daytime, you can book a free bus tour of the city which takes about two hours and gets you back in time for the hour or so you need to check in for the next flight. (The airport also has a hotel with a pool, and a cinema.)

Changi's Tree Name
The name Changi is probably botanical. The Malay version of the name stands for one of two possible plants, perhaps the hardwood tree which grew in the area and was used in building.

When you take the blue Downtown line from Changi Airport, the train map has two stations using the word Changi. The next stop is Upper Changi,

Green East-West Line Destinations
The Green line takes you from Changi Airport or Pasir Ris into town to City Hall, a big interchange. Next stop is equally busy Raffles Place, named after the man whose statue stands on the seafront and in renowned Raffles Hotel.

Raffles Place MRT station exterior. From Wikipedia.

Shopping On Orchard Road
You could go to Newton, for the nearby Sheraton Hotel. Or swap to the red line, going one stop to Orchard, the centre of Singapore. Orchard Road is a hive of hotels such as the Hilton and shopping malls plus all the seasonal lights delightfully illuminating the streets and skyscrapers at night.

The green line passes through some easy and self-explanatory station placenames; Redhill, Queenstown, Commonwealth, Dover, Chinese Garden and Lakeside.

Tampines Trees On the Green Line
The next stop is Tampines East, and the Tampines is another tree. Singapore is full of trees, bordering every road, my favourites being the rain trees like umbrellas, with orchids crowing in the fork of the branches, which you will see if you take a taxi instead of the train.

On the train, on the blue Downtown line, after Upper Changi, you reach Tampines East MRT, Tampines MRT, a big hub and bus exchange, then Tampines West.

Changi Airport seasonal display for Easter. Full of Photo Opportunities. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Pasir Ris - Eend of The Green East-West Line
Pasir means sand. According to  Wikipedia Pasir Ris means white sand in Malay. Most people will tell you white sand, although Infopedia gives an alternative version. Malay is written in the English alphabet, which makes it easier to pick up than the Chinese pictograms.

The Blue Downtown Line
Instead you could take the blue line. Only one stop away from Changi is Expo, with vast exhibition halls. So exhibitors and visitors to exhibitions keep this station busy. I have visited wine fairs, food fairs and other events.

The Busy Blue Line
The Blue Line eventually takes you to: Chinatown, Bayfront, Promenade, Little India and Botanic Gardens, all major visitor attractions. If you are blessed with beautiful weather, go to the Botanic Gardens, which has wonderful walks, numerous photo opportunities, as well as big shopping areas and gourmet restaurants if it rains.

The end of the blue line in the north is Bukit Panjang. Bukit is Malay for hill. Panjang means long in Malay. The Malay words often have two syllables.The adjective usually comes after the noun, unlike English. (Pasir Ris - sand white. Bukit Panjang, hill long.)

Chinese Names
Stations with single syllable names, and three single syllable names are Chinese. Remember the VIP, the late Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. I have many more posts on Singapore, the MRT, the Botanic Gardens and cities and stations around the world and learning languages. Please share links to your favourite posts.

To learn Malay and Chinese (Mandarin) for free online, use Duolingo, Memrise. Chineasy is on YouTube or buy their products from Amazon or Ebay.

Chineasy

On your MRT (train station) map you can recognize the Chinese signs for king (centre top in the Chineasy signs in King Albert Park MRT (DT6 Downtown station 6). The sign for mountain (lower left) is in Hillview MRT station (DT3) Downtown station three.

Useful Websites
MRT Train
https://www.transitlink.com.sg/images/eguide/mrt_sys_map.htm

Changi Airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changi

Pasir Ris Station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasir_Ris

Learn Languages
duolingo.com
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=chineasy

Botanic Gardens:
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/SBG

Butterfly Garden at Changi Airport
http://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-experience/attractions-and-services/butterfly-garden.html

Travel to Singapore
Singapore Airlines
shttps://www.transitlink.com.sg/images/eguide/mrt_sys_map.html

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.

How To Translate Words For Clothes When Shopping Using your hotel's Laundry list

I was in a shop in Hanoi trying to find the words for different types of clothes in a hurry. The assistant was not going to wait whilst I typed them all into goggle translate. (I should have done this before leaving home for the holiday.)

However, I looked at the hotel laundry list and tried to find some simple, memorable words. I did not see any. However, it suddenly struck me that I could take the laundry list with me. Better than destroying the hotel's laundry list, and having yet another piece of paper at the bottom of my bag, I could photo graph the laundry list with my camera.

 

They do seem to have the same word for pyjamas and sports shoes. Makes you wonder. However, it is a start. It would work well in other countries such as translating the English and Spanish where once you see the word translated you can easily identify it and remember it.

We flew (at our own expense) on VietJetair, a budget airline, about which more in other posts.
More details on the Sunline Paon, Japanese run hotel, in other posts.

Travel Tips
For hotels
booking.com
For airlines
travelok.com
vietJetair.com

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.

The Line Restaurant At The Shangri-La Hotel

Co-ordinated colour scheme of orange. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

On a Saturday morning we had to queue five minutes for a table. The manager was efficient. We did not get a window seat near the gorgeous gardens and pool but by a blank interior wall with no decoration. Moral - go early for a table with a view.

The server rushed over and swept the crumbs off the table with a cloth. I prefer the system of brush and crumb container, so no risk of crumbs falling onto the floor underfoot.

I expect if you are at the hotel for two days you are used to the system. I found it confusing. My two companions sent me to fetch juice. The place is huge and no map. I went past the yogurts.

Copious food from the buffet. You can see Indian breads, fruit, baked beans and potatoes and lemon. Lively orange colour table setting. Photo by Angela Lansbury.  Copyright.

The food looked great: Indian food, the pastries. No indication of where to find plates and bowls - which had run out.  I asked for a bowl, waited five minutes The Chinese food.

 I spent ten minutes hunting. Finally, I found the juice. A sign said sparkling wine. I asked. Waited. Eventually a bottle appeared. Prosecco. My favourite.

But I nearly missed the sparkling wine.  My two companions had missed the Prosecco. They would never have found it if I hadn't turned up with it.

I went back for a plate. Then for the eggs and sausages and baked beans.

I didn't find the water until later.

A waitress bringing coffee couldn't find the adjacent table who had ordered another coffee. I suggest tables marked with numbers, like in British pubs. Even if the tables are not marked with numbers, the hotel could have a numbering system on the waiters' notepads. We were distracted because we thought it was our coffee and she was looking for us.

When we asked for the bill, and then the machine for credit card, she disappeared with our bill. Maybe she had not understood or was afraid to ask.

I was so busy hunting for bowls and plates and spoons and knives and forks and water - hardly any time to eat and speak to my friend. Our friend was catching a cruise so she was impatient to check out. We hailed the manager who instantly brought back the bill and the machine.

For the money we paid, $100 for two, you might think wonderful value as the sparkling wine and coffee were included. However, in a historic flagship hotel which proudly proclaims it entertains prime ministers I would expect better decor and service and the Prosecco on arrival, like at a wedding, not just a typed note saying sparkling wine which most people missed.

Nobody said goodbye and thank you and come again.

'Efficient and clean, 'says my husband.

Huge food choice and if you are not rushed and get a window seat I bet you'll be very satisfied. Lots of good things to say. Most people were happy.

However, all in all, an interesting experience.

Shopping
After breakfast, what next? Shopping. No shop. Just a cake shop. Nowhere for our friend who had arrived late last night to buy a Chinese dictionary, guide to Singapore, sarong, swimsuit, orchid jewellery or any Souvenir of Singapore before catching the shuttle to her ship. I suspect the hotel guests in the VIP wing think it's great. See my other posts about the shopping and the Orchid.

After all those calories, a walk around the grounds. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Wonderful 'Orchid'
Make sure you see the Orchid in the grounds. See my other posts on the Shangri-La hotel.

Useful Websites
http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila/dining/restaurants/the-line/
visitsingapore.com

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Blue Christmas Trees At Heathrow - what's good and bad at the airport?

Seasonal decorations at Heathrow. Copyright.

Problem
Can I take a picture of seasonal decorations at the airport?

Answer
No signs warn you not to. So presumably you can go ahead with photos and selfies - if you have time. Most people departing are in a hurry to reach the departure gate or airport lounge or want to suss out the shopping.

A Bright Tree
As you scurry along, you might wonder. Is it a real tree? Clearly not. A real tree is green. An electric tree is blue.

Good Old and New Heathrow
What's good about Heathrow?

Seasonal Decorations
The Christmas decorations. Call them winter lights if you prefer.

The large circular historic photos along the wall beside the moving walkings. The scenes shown include  H N The Queen and the Beatles.

It's good. Not fairyland. Not as stunning as Changi airport. But good enough.

Good Shopping
Heathrow has the essentials. A shop was selling padlocks and keys for your suitcase near check-in.

But why just one shop, no competition? There should be three shops, luxury, mid-price and budget, catering for all passenger with all budgets. Admittedly you can find branches of W H Smith elsewhere in the airport.

Bins and Post Boxes.
Litter bins, when I needed one. Also post boxes. Everything you need to hand.

Clean toilets
A ladies toilet with hand cream as well as washing gel. You need it. Your skin goes dry when travelling because you are dehydrating, all that running around, stressed out, perspiring.

A member of staff keeps everything clean and tidy in the Ladies.

Why am I running around? They have introduced signs telling you how far you are from departure gates at each stage. We start at thirteen minutes. Thirteen minutes!

That's ridiculous. A thirteen minute walk, dragging along a wheel in bag. You may have been up from 6.30 am to have breakfast, catch your car to the airport. If you are short of time - no where to call for assistance.

I see the Singapore Airlines electric two or four seater transporters. These vehicles are only for first and business class. So that's another thing you get when paying for the upgrade. I can't understand whey the whole of every airpot does not have transportation from every paint to the departure lounge.

Maybe they want you to dawdle past the shops. But we would have more time for shops if it took less time to walk to departures.

Shops? That's another story. Se next post.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

A Day Out with bargain shopping at UK's Poundstretcher, Poundland or second hand in Europe

Poundland in Harrow, N W London. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Problem
Where can I buy on a budget when out for the day or away on holiday? Usually I look at goods at stores far away in the UK and think, I'm not driving that far. It's too much time and effort. The cost of the petrol outlays the savings in post and packing. I also have trouble persuading my family that shopping is a valid way to spend a weekend or holiday.

Answer
Later in the year on a bright day, when I want to get out, I am thinking, where shall I go? At this point I wish I had thought to keep a list of stores out of town which have bargains, or items I'd like to see before deciding whether to order on line.

I could make a note of the store, search for a good restaurant or place of interest in the area, then present to the family the place of interest, with my shopping diversion as an optional add on.

UK
What inspired this thought? Today's bargain in the UK.

JACK AND JILL WOODEN BENCH SET | Poundstretcher

Pound stretcher emailed me. Their website lets you type in your postcode and find the nearest store. They are a a discount store. They stretch your pounds, so items can be well over £1.

This is where you will get larger items such as this garden furniture.

If you want a store where everything is a pound, try Poundland.

Poundland in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

You'll also find factory shops all over the UK, such as the Denby factory in Derbyshire, and factory outlet shopping complexes. A budget clothing store is Primark.

Charity shops include Oxfam and St Luke's. Oxfam and other charities also have online websites and sell through ebay.

In the UK on line you will find (alphabetically) : ebay;  gumtree; preloved.co.uk ; vented.co.uk; and several more websites.

EUROPE (countries listed alphabetically)

BULGARIA

Mania has many second hand shops in Bulgaria's capital Sofia and other towns .

See 

website: maniastores.bg

Bg stands for Bulgaria, not bargain!

FRANCE
Look for troc.com

GERMANY
In Germany look for flea markets in summer called Flohmarkt. (I typed f l e a. I came back and found spell checker had sneakily changed it to fly when I wasn't looking!)
Markt is German for market.

GREECE
Bulgarian shop Mania has opened a couple of branches in the capital of Greece, Athens.

HUNGARY

Hada has about sixty shops.

ROMANIA
Bulgaria's Mania has moved north into the adjacent country of Romania and opened a couple of shops in Romania's capital city, Bucharest.

In Romania as we drove out through Brasov I noticed stores called Second Hand (yes, written in English), operated by a company called Humana.

Second Hand Humana shop, Brasov, Romania. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

http://www.humana-slovakia.org/en/second-hand-clothes/why-second-hand-clothes

In the UK we had some controversy.  Charities distributing collection bags for collections made for second hand goods. Many donors assumed the goods went directly to needy people, or the charity's shops. Some donors were disappointed, or angry on learning that that the goods were being sold by a third party which took a profit.

Whether you want to support registered charities, discount stores, or just want to buy second hand clothes and goods, up to you.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. I have several other posts on shopping for bargains and discounts and charity shops in the UK, Europe, and Asia including Singapore. Please share links to your favourite posts.

Oxford Street Lights courtesy of Trevor Sharot, Photographer

Oxford Street lights up for the pre-Christmas shopping season.
Photo taken by Trevor Sharot in November 2016.
Photo courtesy of Trevor Sharot. Copyright Trevor Sharot.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

City Tours Including Factory Tours+Museums & Customised Tours - how to see what you want

When my family first went to European countries such as Spain we were taken on tours which often stopped at a nearby leather/shoe factory or warehouse and we were very pleased to browse and buy local shoes, more variety, different styles and cheaper prices than home, handy as you always seem to need more shoes than you packed on holiday. But later, in Spain, India, or other countries, after many more tours, we occasionally found that we were taken to an unscheduled stop. The factor and/or factory shop where the guide was taking us was where he or she was getting a commission or kickback. Prices were higher - sometimes because that covered the guide's commission. Sometimes it was the high price venue which found it worthwhile to tempt the guide. The guide might even offer us the option - do you want to see a shoe factory? Or a choice - do you want to see the clothing store or the jewellery factor? Or another choice, the museum as listed on your brochure - or the factory store instead?

   When are you getting a good deal? When are you being cheated? How do you get an extra visit if you want one? What are your choices? How do you refuse politely or beg for an unscheduled stop?

My worst experiences:
 1 No time for my shopping
    Scheduled factory tour of jewellery factory in China where I want to buy a ring. On the way in we pass the shop and I want to stop but I'm told we can shop at the end and must take the factory tour first and I must stay with the guide or I'll lose the way. We have to wait for the English speaking guide (on another tour, or called from the office. The detailed tour and qquestions take so long that our tour bus guide tells us to get back on the bus and I've no time for shopping in the reduced price big choice factory shop. I ask to go back, but the shop is the other end for he factory as the bus has moved from car park A to car park B.
   I am first back on the bus and make a huge fuss.  I know exactly what I want, red and green ring. I have cash ready. The tour guide reluctantly agrees to run me back tot he shop and onto the bus while we wait for everybody to come out of the toilets and get on the bus. (I have to use a bus toilet, or wait, but my shopping is top priority.)
   The next story is the reverse. Too much time for shopping, not enough for the museum.

2     No time for our museum - other's long stopping for shopping
China again - Shanghai, shared tour with another English speaking lady. I want to see a museum, or at least the home of somebody famous to write an article. I am told we will do that last, as its on a circuit. All day I see things I don't want to see. Finally, last but one stop. We stop at a jewellery store.  My new English friend spends well over half an hour, she wants to decide on spending several hundred pounds/dollars on a set of jewellery.  The tour guide (either on commission, or needs to keep in with both the store and the other passenger) tells me there's no time for my stop.
    We can't do my museum stop because: the driver is paid only until five pm, my new 'friend' wants to be home for supper to meet her husband after work. She is booked on the evening tour. The bus is needed for the evening tour. Heavy end of day traffic has already started so we are already late and stuck in traffic.
   The other passenger wonders why I no longer want to email her, meet her in London reliving fond memories of our tour.

3 Extra Shopping Stops for me - No time for my VIP Museum(s)
   Finally, my third story where I am a lone passenger with a taxi driver and guide from a hotel in India. Problem: The guide again keeps offering extra stops at shops along the way. Later, when taking to other tourists, they suggest that either the guide or driver or both are getting commission from the shop owners, or the shop owners are their friends or relatives. On day one I am interested in seeing all the extra shops, but am very disappointed when I do not get to my destination. They say you can take another tour tomorrow.
   Solution: Day two I take another tour. But this time I tell the hotel receptionist what happened the previous day.  I want to do my museum stop first. I will refuse to get out until I have seen that stop and if I don't see my museum I will not pay.
    Again I am taken to a shop which 'happens to be en route'. I say we can do it on the way back, later. (I've learned from them.) No - because.
   I demand to be taken back to my hotel.
   They say, 'but You can do this tomorrow.'
    I say, 'no I can't. I am leaving tomorrow. I am writing for an english newspaper and if I write that I was twice taken on the wrong tour your taxi company, the hotel, the city, the whole of your country will be in disrepute.'
  Result. I see my destination.

Sweet Singapore, Sand, Sea, English Spoken, Skyscraper Hotels, Speeches & Sport

Yesterday I was asked if I had unlimited money where would I go. If I had unlimited money I would go on a round the world cruise or stay in the world's top five star hotels and all the Michelin restaurants and take guided tours of every city - but that would not be interesting to the listener so I answered the question about which city do I know well enough to recommend and where would I go back to if I were elsewhere. Singapore. Why?
    Day and night entertainment for all the family, night safari. Watch animals close-up, not caged, but separated from you by fenced ditches.
    Museums with English-speaking guides.
    Food at all prices everywhere - food courts with kiosks in most office blocks, shopping centre blocks and also a food shop or cafe in the private government run housing blocks. the food courts are sometimes in the basement or ground floor, sometimes mid-way or at the top, often both.
   People who speak English but a non-English speaking majority culture (Chinese) with a couple of other cultures for variety (Little India and also Malay cuisine).
   Safety taken seriously.
   Clean.
   Ultra-modern - self-flushing toilets.
   Swimming pools in most of the private housing blocks used by ex-pats or at the country clubs and some public swimming pools and pools in many hotels.
   The most wonderful and diverse modern architecture.
   Lots of theatre and world-famous acts flying in.
   Beaches.
   Shopping galore, from high class to hawker centres with adjoining markets around the perimeter of the city.
   English speakers welcome at Toastmasters International clubs all over the city. Prices vary from those meeting enlarge hotels where you pay for the buffet meal to suburban centres.
   Always something new. Towers with views.
   Easy to get around on the underground with a pre-paid ticket.
Tour pickups from major hotels.
Here are some attractions:
1 Sentosa Island (beaches and museums).
2 Singapore Flyer (big wheel with commentary).
3 Safari Park.
4 Bird Park.
5 Factory tours.
6 Boat tours along the Singapore river, out to other islands, and Duck Tours amphibious (water and land) vehicles.
7 Museums.
8 Food from Dinner at Raffles hotel to hawker centres. Top of the tower restaurants.
9 Hotels such as The Forest, Mandarin Oriental. I like a hotel with waterfalls and features and a great swimming pool and a good shop.
10 Toastmasters Clubs. Meet at the YMCA,YWCA, hotels and Community Centres.
If you are sporty, fearless, energetic, and like running, go to a meeting of the Hash House Harriers who run through the jungle, men on Monday nights, other nights for women, families, people with dogs.

My Top Tips
1 Time your arrival and departure so you can take the free bus tours offered by some airlines.
2 Get the free maps from the airport on arrival and look in them for discount coupons.
3 Look out for free newspapers in the MRT stations.
4 Buy an MRT pass and get the free map of the MRT on arrival. Saves time in peak periods and if it's raining it's hard to get a taxi.
5 Programme the numbers for calling a taxi into your phone. Note the a surcharge for pre-booking a taxi.
6 If it's raining and you like shopping take the underground passageway from Orchard MRT along Orchard Road.
7 Cheap shopping at Mustapha's in Little India - and one section is open 24 hours.


More information from
Tripadvisor
Wikipedia