Celebrity Solstice - 12/22/2023 - Thailand & Vietnam - Live(ish) Report

[Miaminice]

Dear Travellovers 😁
We are on our way to our next adventure. 
Happy to fly with our favourite airline again, we are currently on board of a Singapore Airlines 777 on our way to Singapore. We have one day to explore our favourite places in Singapore again before we embark on Celebrity Solstice on the 22nd. She’ll take us to Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong. As always, we would be happy to take you along 😁
Happy holidays and much love ❤️  
Birgit & Oliver

 

 

[CardowMD]

Looking forward to this adventure. Wanted to do the Singapore to Hong Kong early January, but work got in the way…hopefully next year!

[billc23]

I'm following along. Looking forward to your port experiences.

[vickykay]

Looking forward to another wonderful review!

[Torfamm]

I’m looking forward to hearing about your cruise!

[Kiwifruit]

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this cruise as we’ll be joining the Solstice in Hong Kong on 3 January for the reverse itinerary. Will be particularly interested to hear who the current Cruise Director is?
 

Happy Sailing !!!

[Miaminice]

Celebrity Solstice - December 2023 - Day 1 - Singapore 

 

We were happy to finally get to fly with our favorite airline Singapore Airlines again. Seats at the emergency exit, a good entertainment system and the renowned friendliness of the crew made the 12 hour flight a pleasant one. 
 

Getting through immigration at Singapore’s amazing airport was a breeze. We had already completed the arrival cards online at home and entry was completely automated. Our luggage appeared on the belt just a few minutes after we got there. So we headed to the exit, used the Grab app to call a ride into town (€18) and enjoyed the ride to our hotel.

 

Although we always highly recommend the Andaz Hotel in Singapore, we had chosen a small boutique hotel this time. We simply restricted ourselves to a lower budget. When we reached the Scarlet Singapore we felt it wasn’t a mistake at all. The small hotel in one of the iconic shophouse style streets was very charming. It was just around 9am. Too early to check in. So we dropped our luggage off and started to explore… 

 

 

 

 

 

The hotel is very close to China Town‘s Buddha Tooth Temple. At this early time the temple was still empty. A chance to take in the beautiful architecture and to admire the countless statues undisturbed.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 21, 2023 by Miaminice

[Miaminice]

We decided to walk towards Clark Quay and then to Marina Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

Of course we walked through the grand building of the Fullerton Hotel. The Fullerton is the former general post office. Now it was beautifully decorated for Christmas and postal bears were omnipresent. Even the Christmas Tree was made of bears.

 

 

[Miaminice]

At the bay we allowed ourselves a rest at a Starbucks. We couldn’t resist the view - and a cold drink. After saying hello to our old friend the Merlion we continued to the Albert Center in Bugis.

 

 

 

For weeks we had already been looking forward to having Popiahs there again. Of course they didn’t come all alone. Fried carrot cake was our second course.

 

 

 

[Miaminice]

It was past 12am already when we eventually took a Grab car back to the hotel. The staff was exceptionally friendly again. It was a real joy - not only because they explained that there was a complimentary bottle of red wine in the room and everything in the fridge was also included. The room was small but just as charming as the rest of the hotel. The hotel was a nice pick and we can definitely add it to the list of our recommendations. Jetlagged and tired we gave into the temptation of the comfortable bed and took a two hour nap. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Miaminice]

Well rested we ventured out again. Through the little park of Telok Ayer Green we went to the MRT station, took the subway to Bugis and walked over to the Kampong Glam area.
 

 

 

 

The cultural mix here is just as colorful as the buildings. The Burka store next to the Bikini shop and the Ramen restaurant next to the Turkish and Lebanese restaurants in the shadows of the mosque.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some years ago we discovered a little bar here called “Blu Jaz Cafe”. You know we are creatures of habit, so this was our actual destination.
 

 

 

Edited December 21, 2023 by Miaminice

[Miaminice]

We took the bus to return to the Marina Bay area. Again, we went through the Fullerton, passed the Merlion and crossed Jubilee Bridge to the Gluttons Bay hawker center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We followed the recommendation of one of the stall owners and had a platter of spicy pork with mushrooms and a garlicky pepper soup. Holy smokes 🔥 it was spicy but sooo delicious. 

 

 

 

[Miaminice]

Walking along the bay and across the Helix Bridge we enjoyed the lights and music until we reached the “Shoppes” at Marina Bay Sands. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is true - when they add an extra p and e to the word, everything is twice as expensive.

 

 

 

 

 

[Miaminice]

We escaped the glittering world of LV and Gucci and walked over to the Skytrees. They are a magnificent sight and a must see. This time of the year, Christmas decorations are the icing of the cake. Happy about a fun filled day we grabbed a Grab at the entrance of the gardens and drove back to the hotel. 

Good night friends.
 

 

 

 

[Texed]

Enjoying your comments and pictures.  Thanks for posting.  😊

[hcat]

another treat for us on Cruise Critic..

thank you.. I just love every photo so far!

[Ciaranaman]

Gorgeous pictures!  And here I was, logging on, and thinking everyone seemed to be wrapping up their lives from the past couple of weeks.  How thrilling to see yours pop up!  Can't wait to see where your exploring takes you!

~Bernadette

[Miaminice]

Celebrity Solstice - December 2023 - Day 2 - Singapore / Embarkation 

To say we slept like babies would be a massive understatement. Good that we had set the alarm for 8am… just in case. When it went off we were both still deep down in the basement of dreamland.

We got ready and walked over to the Maxwell Hawker Center which was just next door. We had to restrain ourselves not to give in to the  alluring smells of Hainan Chicken Rice and other delicacies.  But there wqs absolutely nothing wrong with being seduced by the cups of fresh fruit, fresh squeezed fruit and avocado smoothies and a Sesame Ball. All for under 10 USD (the signs are Singapore $). 
 

 

 

[Miaminice]

 

 

The Buddha Tooth Relict Temple was just across the street. When we walked over to the temple, there was a ceremony. Monks reciting sutras, bells ringing. It had something hypnotic about it - hypnotic and peaceful. 

 

 

Since the inner part of the temple was closed to the public during the ceremony we decided to go up to the Mezzanine level for a view. We took the elevator but didn’t get off on M. Someone had pressed 4 and we thought: why not, we haven’t been there yet. We got out on 4 and found a meditation area where the tooth relict was kept on something like an altar. Elaborate, gold glittering and just beautiful. Unfortunately photos were not allowed. At the entrance to the stairs we noticed a sign pointing upwards to a roof garden. Again: why not?

When we exited the stairs on the rooftop level, I was awestruck. We entered the jungle of a beautiful orchid garden surrounding another temple like structure housing a huge prayer wheel. Unexpected and absolutely beautiful. A true hidden gem!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took the stairs down again and exited at every level. On each one there was a different exhibition of relicts, statues and explanations about the history… all accompanied by pleasant music.

 

 

 

 

From the mezzanine level we watched the ceremony for a while before we left the temple. 

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2023 by Miaminice

[Barwick Cruiser]

Fabulous photos! Thanks for taking us along! 
Happy cruising holiday! 🎄🎅🛳️

Cathy

[Miaminice]

On the street we noticed a different kind of music and chanting coming from the Sri Mariamman Hindu temple just a few feet down the road. We took off our shoes again and visited the ceremony.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What an enriching cultural mix. Buddhism next to Hinduism and just next to it also a mosque. It kind of depicts one of the qualities for which we like Singapore so much.

[Miaminice]

Time had passed and it was already noon. We couldn’t really have lunch but we still walked over to the People’s Park Complex food court. For us one of the most authentic ones.
 

 

We got a pork bun at a stall we knew and then some more juice. It really couldn’t be fresher. Made to order when you are finally done browsing the expansive menu.

 

 

On the way back I couldn’t resist one of the Salty egg custard buns… sooo yuuuuummmmy!

 

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2023 by Miaminice

[Miaminice]

Back at the hotel we picked up our bags, said thank you for the wonderful friendly service and took a Grab car to the pier. Check-in went smoothly and it didn’t take long until we were able to say hello to our home for the next two weeks. Aqua stateroom 1542 on deck 11. 

 

 

 

 

Our luggage arrived soon after we got to our stateroom, so we unpacked and settled in. Around 5pm we went to the Oceanview Bar to meet some of our fellow travelers and people we’ll tour with. Thank you, David @mahdnc for creating all the name tags 👍

 

 

 

 

 

We waved goodbye to beautiful Singapore and sailed away to a new adventure.

 

Edited December 22, 2023 by Miaminice

[billc23]

Wonderful photos and commentary! Thank you for putting in the effort, very much appreciated!!

[mchell810]

As always I am impressed by your ability to accomplish so much in a single day.  Loving the photos, too!