Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Once again, Alan and I spent Christmas in Singapore with our friends the Chalmers.  My first port of call (well after buying a bar of Godiva chocolate) was Chinatown.

The yellow and green building has to be the ugliest building in Singapore when seen head on, but from the side, well it does kind of fit doesn't it?!

Smith Street, which at night is transformed into an outdoor eating area, was covered over to protect from the monsoon rains.

On Smith Street is my favourite Singapore eatery, a Chinese restaurant of course.

Taken on my Christmas trip 2010

This restaurant is well known for its home made noodles.  When Alan and I first used to go there, we would watch the chef make these noodles, which was always a wonderful performance.  These days he lets people hold the dough to demonstrate how long it is.  Ugh, I know what those Chalmers kids have been up to,nand hand washing wasn't on the list.  I wouldn't want to eat THOSE noodles!

I was served as usual by one of the identical twins.  I ate there for years before I realised they were twins, I always thought it was the same person serving me.  As usual the twin (whichever one), could recite my order without me opening my mouth.  It is so nice not to have to make any effort when going out!

The order:

Pickled veggies, which have a sharp, hot bite.  I'm not sure when you are supposed to eat this, but we normally finish it before anything else hits the table.

Spring onion fritters.  This is the only restaurant that I have been to that serves them like this.  Usually you get more of a thick pancake, but here, the chopped spring onions are heaped into the middle.

Crispy chicken friend rice.  Yummy!

Of course all this is accompanied by a cold diet coke, but you don't need a picture of that, do you?

Then it was off to Orchard Road to finish up the shopping.

Orchard Road, has masses of Christmas trees dotting the pavements.

This black and gold one outside Paragon was probably the most eye catching, though it is a combination that does not scream Christmas to me.

Let me tell you, Orchard Road was packed and by late afternoon, I was fighting to move forwards a few steps.  Living in Thailand, you forget what these huge Christmas shopping crowds can be like.  Exhausting is the word that springs to mind.

To add to the congestion, there were various street performers out.  Look at this poor child, imagine being sent out in that outfit!

 I can't decide whether to caption this photograph:
"OMG, I forgot to put my clothes on", or
"I'm gonna get my mum for this"
Either way, this child has just lost ALL his street cred.  Let's hope his school chums didn't see him!

We always take the kids to see a movie on Orchard Road at Christmas.

I love this photo from Christmas 2008, when we saw a 3D film.  Yes Alan apparently DOES take his camera into the cinema!

Alvin and the Chipmunks had been proposed for this year, but thankfully they settled for just posing with the figures.  We saw Horrid Henry instead, and finally after Christmas, Ben and I got our wish to see Mission Impossible.

By the way, the sign asks you NOT to assault the figurines.  I'm not sure what assaults take place, but judging by the smiles on the chipmunk's faces, I want to be in that line up too!

After the film, we always do the snow at Tanglin Mall.  For those of you who have never been in Singapore at Christmas, every year this mall sets up an avalanche of snow (foam) and the a snow blizzard.   The foam comes out of giant blowers set at ground level.  The kids always amass in front of the blowers, even though the snow slowly spreads out all over.

 You can see how high the foam gets.  This is just in one corner, not the whole thing.  The kids are deep in this melee somewhere.

 This kid looks like he has been taking early shaving lessons!

Finally the snow blizzard starts.  This is the bit I like.  It does look like snow, especially from a distance, when you can't see the foam on the ground.  You can see that adults get into it as much as the kids do.

 Oh come on, so it IS artificial, but what isn't in Singapore?

 Even the tree gets a coating of snow on it.

The kids love to stand in front of the snow blowers and get covered with the foam.

Christmas needs to look a little bit like Christmas to make it feel right and artificial snow and black Christmas trees are enough to get me into the christmas Spirit.