Because you can't have depths without surfaces.
Linda Grant, thinking about clothes, books and other matters.
Pure Collection Ltd.
Net-a-porter UK

Tuesday 26 February 2008

Orchard Road, Singapore

I was supposed to be staying at a gracious old hotel slightly off the main drag, s I was alarmed when the driver who met me with a name sign at the airport took me to an entirely different hotel. Was it possible that I had jumped the limo of another Linda Grant? But a woman from the desk came out and gave me a faxed itinerary with the change of venue. The hotel is more like an airport than a lodging, but I cannot help but notice that outside it is Gucci, Prada and much else. In fact I seem to be right in the centre of shopping mile.

And having eaten a late Vietnamese lunch down by the river , and done masterclass to some fascinating writing students, and met a banker turned poet, and had a late Italian dinner, and got some sleep, and after a tv interview coming up at 9 am and a bunch of newspaper interviews afterwards, I examine the shops before leaving for the airport for the next leg of my journey: Singapore to Melbourne to Adelaide.

I hadn't realised Singapore was so much fun, and had not realised how many Singaporeans have English as their mother tongue. Someone really should write the great Singapore novel

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I always buy a few Shu Umera eyelash curlers in Singapore; they are excellent, and so cheap there, about $20 Singapore dollars each.

I don't think you will have any great shopping experiences in Adelaide, but in Melbourne, try Chapel St, and the boutiques Miss Louise and Le Louvre.

Anonymous said...

Really upset that I missed your talk yesterday! Unfortunately I only saw the listing for it this morning. Anyway, hope you had a good time in Singapore (even if it was a bit of a whistlestop) and hope to catch you the next time you come through!

michelle

Anonymous said...

Nice post Linda Grant, I just caught up on reading about your Singapore adventure and glad that you realise there was so much goodness in Singapore. I'm subscribed to recieved a Google Alert On Singapore Limousine, clicked on it and was directed to this post. So I decided to post it here making it convenient for your blog visitors and readers who are looking for a reliable and affordable limo service in Singapore.

Singapore Limousine Service Network Provide Professional, Affordable And Reliable Limo Service In Singapore ::: Singapore Limousine Service Network is a one-stop affordable, professional and reliable chauffeur driven luxury car and limo service in Singapore.

Singapore Limousine Specialised In:

* Executive Chauffeur Service
* Limousine Concierge Service
* Airport Transfer - Arrival and Departure
* Arrival Hall Paging, Meeting, And Greeting Service
* Singapore Changi Airport Transfer
* Singapore Paya Lebar Airport Transfer
* Singapore Seletar Airport Transfer
* Sea Port Transfer - Arrival and Departure
* Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal Transfer
* Singapore Cruise Center Transfer
* City Transfer To And From Any Part Of Singapore
* Personalised Daily And Hourly Charter Service
* Business Meeting Transfer
* Seminar, Conference and Exhibition Transfer
* Personalised Island-wide Sight Seeing And City Tour
* Personalised Island-wide Shopping Tour
* Events And Road Show Point-to-point Transfer
* Personalised Singapore and Malaysia Tour
* Personalised Transfer To And From Malaysia
* Personalised Courier Service
* Personalised Healthy Pets Transfer
* Wedding Limo Service And Other Customised On Demand Services and Any Transport Related Services…etc.

Limo Services to Malaysia:

* Senai Airport Transfer (Johor Bahru)
* Johor Bahru, Malacca, West Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Trips

We are a team of fun and friendly professionals who only believe in providing quality services and honor our commitments. Singapore Limousine Network will strive to meet your requirement, expectation and excel. Email or call us early at +65 9295 4517 for any chauffeur driven transfers to and from any where in Singapore. My free skype internet chat - Skype ID: elimousinenetwork.com

Anonymous said...

Hey Linda,

I am a Singaporean living in San Francisco. I miss Singapore - it is utopia! I am proud that you enjoyed it :) Hope to see you there again soon.

Anonymous said...

Chapel Street in Melbourne is for the 15- 25 age group who likes main street chain shops.

Miss Louise and Le Louvre sell the best of the European designers at somewhat infleated (post luxury tax and customs) prices.

For more the "Thoughtful dresser's vein" and for the Australian and NZ labels try Scanlan & Theodore, Lisa Baron and Lisa Ho in Armadale,Anna Thomas in Hawksburn Village, Black Orange in Carlton, Cactus Jam in Melbourne City. If you want to see fun pices for the young in body and at heart walk along Brunswick Street in Fitzroy.

Anonymous said...

Tourist information places in Melbourne have a range of shopping information, including maps and public transport.

If you're staying in the city, a stroll down Flinders Lane and Collins Street wouldn't go astray :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm from Singapore and I'm a huge fan of your blog! I'm so happy and proud that you enjoyed Singapore. Did you get the chance to do any shopping? :)

-faith

Anonymous said...

Hey Linda!

I was at your masterclass in Singapore the other day at The Arts House, asking you what "scouser" means. It's a pity you couldn't stay longer. Perhaps, next time you could visit again.

I'm enjoying your book right now.

Anonymous said...

the limousine service arn't very professional by spamming in comments

Tashi Khoo said...

Very nice blog, Linda Grant, keep up you great job! Please take a glance at my last Limo, MPV and Minibus webblog for Limo, MPV and Minibus Services in Singapore. Thank you! Travel In Style, Safety and Comfort around Singapore with Singapore Limo and Minibus Network in any of your Chauffeur Driven Vehicle ride from as low as SGD 50.

Best regards,
Tashi Khoo