Cat Cafe

Cat Museums and Cat Cafes
You can find cat museums and cafes all over the world. See my other posts. Call before visiting as these places tend to run limited hours, exclude children below the age of six, relocate, or close for private events.

Cat Cafe
Facebook
CatCafeNekonoNiwa

Meomi (closed Monday Oct 22), usually 11 am to 10 pm,
66 N Bridge Road, Singapore 188801
Tel: 6926 0339.

https://www.facebook.com/thecatmuseumsg/?tn-str=k*F

Sunday Stroll Along The Singapore River: what to see and savour at Clarke Quay

Problem
Where to meet and walk with friends? We wanted somewhere near an MRT station - no danger of being late and up running breathless and hot and flustered.

Answers
We started from the aptly named Clarke Quay MRT station. We had lunch at Riverwalk Indian restaurant which has indoor and outdoor seating. (Riverwalk Tandoor. Separate post.) Afterwards, perhaps unconsciously inspired by the restaurant's name, Riverwalk, we walked off the calories and continued our conversation with a stroll along Clarke Quay.

On the train to Clarke Quay, my first question to a long-term resident had been: 'Which one is Boat Quay and Which one is Clarke Quay?'

Boat Quay was the one with the boats nearest the mouth of the river. Later Clarke Quay was developed. (Named Clarke after a VIP man in charge in that era.)

If you look at the map of the railway lines you see Harbourfront and Marina Bay. Marina Bay is a recently developed waterside like a square of water enclosed by dramatic skyscrapers, notably Marina Bay Sands triple skyscraper like a giant cricket stub. Harbourfront is to the west, left on the map, but the shipping will soon be moved further west, allowing redevelopment of the prime land nearer the city.

Meanwhile, if you are rushing for a train and need to know whether to take the train to Harbourfront or Marina Bay, most likely you are going to Marina Bay with its waterside walks and major attractions.

Along Clarke Quay you will pass live cats and fish:
The Cat Cafe (upstairs).

Fish
Several waterside restaurants on Clarke Quay enjoy views of Marina Bay Sands.

Boat Tours & Meal Discounts
Boats chug up and down the river carrying tourists on guided tours. Wait at a vantage point to get a boat in your photo. Look for the kiosk where you can buy the boat tickets - which give you discounts at several of the restaurants along the river.  So book the river cruise first and look for the discounts before having your later drinks or meal by the river.

Your choice of cuisine includes burgers or Indian and lots of cocktail bars.

Seafood
At least two seafood places have fish or huge crabs in tanks. Not just for decoration. In the UK most fish comes out of the fridge or freezer. Singapore and China and many Asian countries, the fish and shellfish is kept in tanks and keeps growing and is killed and cooked fresh.

Useful Websites and addresses
The River Walk Tandoor, 20 Upper Circular Road #B1-38
Clarke Quay MRT exit E
www.riverwalktandoor.com.sg
Singapore Airlines:
singaporeair.com

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

Singapore River Walk Via Arrow-shape corner building like New York's Famous Flatiron

We took a walk along Singapore river beside Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, then returned along the back street. I love this building. Firstly it makes full use of an awkward space. Secondly it is so stylish. Art deco, I would say.

Where is it? On the corner behind Boat Quay and Clarke Quay near Clarke Quay MRT underground station.

Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

How painters perch on outside walls of skyscrapers

One of the jobs not on my wishlist!

From afar I saw one of the painters. We walked along and I saw two more. They were working pretty fast. I preferred the white to the cream colour.

What can I say in favour of the building? A solid building, with a clean colour and restful curves. 

Is there anything detractors could say could be improved? Maybe add some windows and fire escapes.

I would also like to add warm colours and contrasting colours, maybe a mural. that would provide more interesting work for the painters.

We walked along discussing the Forth bridge in Edinburgh.It is often said that the bridge is so big that be the time the painters have reached the end - it's time to start  repainting the beginning again.

Three Painters Suspended, Painting the outside of a building on Circular Road, Singapore.

Photo by Angela Lansbury.Copyright

Red plants in colourful Singapore

These ornamental red plants are grown along the front of the block of flats and throughout the  grounds and in many public parks.

Deepavali Decorations Little India Singapore

Great decorations.

Up the escalators and along the colourful corridors.

Eat Out At National University Hospital

Problem
After a day in A and E, I went back to the ENT department for some checkups, as well as an X-ray. You are in the hospital during lunch hour. Where do you eat?

Hospital Location
National University Hospital is very convenient. It is right next to Kent Ridge MRT station.
The skyscraper building has a food court where the staff and the patients can eat, just like any other shopping mall.

Food Break
Your choice of food is varied. When I was there stalls were offering all kinds of chicken and meat and egg dishes, seafood, Chinese and Asian food, Japanese food, Indian and Malay food, Halal food, vegetarian food, a fruit and fruit juice stall, plus tea and coffee.

Choice Of Food
As usual, my husband and I differed completely on our views of the food. He had shellfish. I'm allergic to it. I had a durian dessert. He won't go near anything durian. (I kept the contents secret until I had finished.

My first thought was to go for my favourite, chicken rice, but I eat that a lot at home, so I opted for a novelty. I wanted masala dosai. However the dosai was unavailable.  Instead I had another Indian bread pancake, with two side dishes, one of which was chickpeas.

I could not try my husband's shellfish.

However, he was happy to try the Indian bread and chickpeas. he said it was good. I thought the bread was dry and so-so.

Durian Dessert
The durian was in generous amounts, but bland. It may not be the right time of year, because the McDonalds McFlurry durian promotion has just ended (October). I must say the McDonald durian was better.

This is all I got in A and E. A bread and jam sandwich and water.

What was good about the place?

Seats and Tables
Seats with backs. Very big and busy yet still no trouble getting a table.

Menus And Healthy Options
The menus showing dishes were marked with coloured ticks showing the healthiest and least healthy options.

Toilets
What was best of all? The toilets have built-in bidets. Turn a knob on the side, and you get a wash. That is much better than the old fashioned hose which sends water all over the floor and seat.

All in all, very good because it kept my escort happy.

Useful Addresses and Websites
National University Hospital
5 Lower Kent Ridge Road
Singapore 1199074
tel:(65) 5555

Hospital website
www.nuh.com.sg

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