We almost don’t want this holiday to start as the build up has been so exciting it almost feels like it will be over so quickly! Still the excitement of it all is a great once in a lifetime adventure and of course if you care to read we’ll be blogging on here when we get a moment or two.

But just to get you all excited too why not check out this amazing CGI video from Red Bull Racing. a Fantastic tour of the circuit. Look out for the Memorial Park as that’s where our grandstand is, overlooking two of the best overtaking points on the circuit!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQPxu5Q6nNk

For a better quality version go to http://www.redbullracing.com/4th-Sector/Webber-Singapore

Ominous clouds hung overhead all day, threatening to unleash a torrent of rain at any moment. But unusually for Singapore it didn’t come. In fact we’ve hardly had any rain the whole time we’ve been here. Clouds or no clouds, rain or no rain, the temperature doesn’t change here. Always hovering around 30 degrees while the humidity rarely drops below 60%. It rises as the sun sets, hitting 79% by the time the race started.

We were set, history in the making, the cars lined up, the lights went out. 20 seconds or so later and they were screaming past us. Jostling for position, the skill of all the drivers showing as not one crashed into another on the first lap. Using every inch of available track.

Philppe Massa pulled away at the start, clearly light on fuel compared to Lewis behind him. for the first few laps none of the front guys changed position. Then, thanks to another predictable spin and impressive crash into a wall, Nelson Piquet Jnr was out of the race and out came the safety car. Some cars dived into the pits before they were allowed to, earning themselves drive through penalties (which is better than running out of fuel). Others waited for the right moment, some lucked in, others lucked out! Kimi Raikonnen dropped down the field while Lewis found himself stuck behind mid-field runners like David Coulthard.

But somehow Fernando Alonso made it to the front. Pitting at just the right time and running a strategy that gave him the lead. Lewis did his best to catch up after he’d passed DC. Nico Rosberg in the Williams, despite a drive through penalty, found himself in second.

It was a very eventful race! Massa tried to leave the pit early and ended up ripping the fuel hose out of the garage and 200 metres down the pit lane, ending up dead last and earning a drive through for dangerous driving. His team mate crashed out with just 6 laps to go, smashing into a wall, a bunch of Finnish guys sat behind us upped and left, the race was over for them.

So Lewis got 3rd. A great result considering all the events and giving him a 7 point lead in the championship. After the race it was back to the open air bar on the cricket ground to catch up with our new found Canadian friends and have a few beers. A great way to end a magical grand prix weekend in the heat and humidity of Singapore!

I’ll post a round-up next time i’m near wifi!

M&Dx

Our last day was spent visiting Sentosa, the man made island and cheesy getaway for singaporians. Their very own Disney style theme park complex with sandy beaches overlooking a floatin city of supertankers and cargo ships.

The best thing about Sentosa, especially after 3 days of F1 action is the fantastic Luge! 3 goes for 18 dollars. So we had 6! With a competitive streak we were cutting people up to race each other. At one point debs nearly ran over a peacock! Like ya do!

The other great thing was the 3D cinema complete with wobbling chairs, fans and water squirters all for a film about pirates with Eric Idle! I have no idea how it works but it really was eye poppingly clever.

After the fun of Sentosa it really was time to leave Singapore once more. As ever it’s been good to us. Such a fun, friendly and vibrant city now boasting one of the most amazing grand prix events!

The plane ride home was non eventful. Sleeping most of the 13 hours. We had hoped we’d avoid jetlag by staying on European time but we still slept most of Tuesday!

Our Singaporian adventure was truly a trip of a lifetime. Meeting some great people, watching an amazing 3 days of F1 action and soaking up the 30 degree heat. We did so much, more than we ever expected.

A geeky as our F1 fanatasism may be it really was an historic moment. A very special first ever night race on a street circuit and we were there! Worth every penny!!

Matt & Debz

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_OLEvg1oLg

Once again the predictable rain that falls daily in Singapore took a well earned break and left us with 3 days of gorgeous sunshine. Albeit astonishingly hot sunshine. The temperature never dropping below 30 degrees even at night leaves you sweaty and constantly thirsty. Thanks to the many beer stalls within the Grand Prix arena that’s easily taken care of.

Free practice sessions showed the great pace of the Brawn cars once again and also how well the McLaren’s can handle the curbs of a street circuit. Qualifying was another matter where strategic errors played a part dropping Jenson Button to 12th and Ruebens trashing his car against the wall 30 seconds from the end of Q3. Still the qualifying result was bitter sweet with Hamilton on pole.

And to race day. An amazing atmosphere. an 80,000 strong crowd enjoying the heat, the beer, the entertainment and the race action. We were surrounded by avid fans really getting involved, shaking fists at their favourite drivers, sharing information as the cars shot past, smiles and good fun all round. The result was fantastic for us Button fans too finishing 7 places higher than his starting position and a Brit winning the race as well.

After the race we headed straight to watch local Brighton boy John Digweed DJing a fine set for a 2000 plus crowd at the Esplanade outdoor theatre. Swelteringly hot dancing, a fantastic celebratory crowd and a jaw dropingly awesome urban skyline ended a fantastic weekend off nicely.

Our first full week away has been amazing. Such good generous friends we’ve been able to stay with, an amazing race oh and during the parade lap Jenson Button even blew us a kiss! I kid you not! I think the shiny t-shirt i was wearing with “JENSON” on the front in huge letters may have had something to do with it!!

Singapore, contrary to what people say, is not bland, corporate and conformative. It’s vibrant, exciting, a mix of Asian cultures and progressive thinking and it really knows how to put on some great entertainment! 10 days doesn’t seem long enough, I’d gladly stay here another week if not a month or 6! Still Vietnam awaits on Wednesday.

It’s true the relentless pace of commercialism is all around you here. Endless shopping malls that seamlessly blend into each other until you’re not sure where you are and completely forget how hot it is outside! The towering financial district that grows ever upwards is testament to Singapore’s growing economy and belief in the future.

It’s also true that Singapore has a rich and vibrant culture. A mixture of Chinese, Indian and British that merges together to create a uniquely Singaporean feel. The Asian cuisine is everywhere and cheap too. As much as western fashions are in every shopping mall the people still retain cultures, traditions and ways of life. It all blends together nicely.

We always glad to be back in Singapore and always feel we’re never here long enough. We’re both looking forward to being back in Singapore in December, although briefly to meet friends, pick up our suitcase for Australia and catch a plane.

For now it’s onwards and upwards as we fly to Hanoi, Vietnam. The travel adventure really begins now as the familiarity of Singapore will be replaced by the unknown of South East Asia.

Enjoy and feel free to comment. Also available in HD!!

So to wet your whistle a little more check out the story of the 2008 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.

Also available in HD.

While Singapore can be a very expensive place to visit it can still be done on a budget. Here’s 10 things you can easily do without burning a hole in your pocket!

Read bridge Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is a nice but expensive place to hang out of an evening in Singapore. A great way to combine people watching with a drink but still stay on budget is to take a beer along to Read Bridge. Sit on the edge along with many locals, socialising and people watching too. There’s a 7 Eleven shop just 30 seconds away from the bridge selling beers. A popular hang out for backpackers and a great atmosphere.

National Museum of Singapore

At $10 this museum is a must for any budget traveller in need of a cultural fix, it is home to 11 national treasures and has a large variety of events and exhibitions throughout the year. The Singapore History gallery section also has free guided tours in English, Mandarin and Japanese at pre-set times everyday except public holidays.

Observation deck at Marina Bay Sands

At the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel the observation deck boasts a 360 degree view of Singapore. On a clear day you can see both Malaysia and part of Indonesia not to mention stunning views of the CBD and Marina Bay. To get access you go to Tower 3 hotel lobby and purchase a ticket, currently $20, then take a very fast elevator to the top! This ticket only gives you access to the observation deck, not the infinity pool, but you can spend as long as you like snapping away at this truly unique view of Singapore.

Southern Ridges

The Southern Ridges is a trail spanning 3 parks and is 9 km in length. It is a wonderful place to spend a few hours just strolling along the forest and canopy walks admiring views of Sentosa on one side and Little India and alike on the other.

The Henderson Waves bridge is a particular highlight. At 274 metres long and 8 metres wide it’s the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. It is based on the mathematical SIN wave and is a beautiful architectural structure.

To get to The Southern Ridges you can either get the North-East MRT line to Harbourfront followed by bus 491 up Mount Faber (costing $1) or at the other end you can come in through Kent Ridge Park using the circle line, alighting at Kent Ridge MRT.

Sentosa

The cheapest way to get to Sentosa is to walk across on the Sentosa Boardwalk. With the aid of travelators, a pleasant garden atmosphere and cover you can use this come rain or shine. The cost is $1 over and free on the way back and you can use an Eze link card for speed.

Once over on Sentosa you don’t have to spend a fortune. There are, of course, many forms of entertainment from riding the Luge to Universal Studios but there are also many free attractions. At 9pm each day is the crane dance and at 9.30pm there is the Lake of Dreams show. The walk from the boardwalk to the beach takes you past Imbiah lookout and the Merlion and once at the beach you can take a rest watching people riding the waves at the Wave House Beach Bar.

East Coast park

At 185 hectares this is Singapore’s largest park. Built on reclaimed land with a man made beach there are numerous activities for the budget traveller. There are cheap eats at the East Coast Hawker centre, you can watch people wakeboard on the lagoon at Ski 360° or you can just walk along the lengthy beachfront stopping for a picnic at one of the many BBQ pits provided.

Go for a walk around Marina Bay

There is a nice walking circuit around the entire Marina Bay which offers a different atmosphere depending whether you are there by day or night. In the day go down and have your picture taken by the famous spouting Merlion and stroll along the Helix bridge. At night enjoy a drink at one of the many bars and restaurants at One Fullerton whilst watching the light show put on by the Marina Bay Sands resort.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Now more accessible due to the opening of the new circle MRT line these gardens are a must see for all visitors to Singapore. Admission is free and for that you can have a full day taking in the 3 lakes, healing gardens, rainforest and much more. The gardens are also expanding with a new learning forest opening in 2012. The Orchid Garden is the only place where you are asked to pay an entry fee but at only $5 most budgets can stretch to this. Find out more on the Singapore Botanical Gardens website.

Visit the Marina Barrage

A dam stretching across the bay from Marina South to Marina East is an unusual tourist attraction but this one is a little different. There are many statues and water features to visit as well as the solar park and a walk across the dam itself. You can pre book your free tour online which gives you detailed information on what a feat of engineering the dam really is. To get there you get the MRT to Marina Bay and then either the SBS bus 400 or Marina Barrage shuttle bus to the site.

Eat at Lau Pa Sat hawker centre

Popular with tourists and locals alike this hawker centre is one of the best in Singapore. It’s Victorian architecture contrasting with the mass of skyscrapers around it make it an unusual sight. Situated just 5 minutes walk from Raffles Place MRT it is a vibrant place for a cheap meal. Try the famous Singapore Chilli Crab or grab some tasty chicken satay sticks from the street. Go on a Friday or Saturday night and listen to the live band playing in the centre of the market. Visit the Lau Pa Sat website for more details.

Of course any good partnership, especially with bloggers means trust, so we were very keen to try out our first short term rental experience and see if it really is a better way to stay! As we’re currently in South East Asia we found a very intriguing property known as the “Urban Sanctuary” just a short MRT ride out of central Singapore to a little slice of historic suburbia. The booking process was easy and very personal. You inquire with the owners directly through the Roomorama website and get to have a real conversation about amenities, location and availability, before you book. Apart from a couple of unexpected security hoops to jump through the booking process is simple. As Roomorama are facilitating strangers staying at people’s homes you can understand the security.

Staying in Wessex Village, Singapore

We jumped in a cheap Singapore taxi with all our bags and cruised around the former British Army barracks at Wessex Village. Surrounded by high rises, it’s an idillic setting thanks to the lush vegetation that hides the adjacent residential blocks, beautiful trees lining the roads and striking white and black buildings that are now invite-only apartments that local creative types can rent. This selective system has ensured that every apartment block is well looked after and is a treat from all the hotels and condos in the city.

Vivian and Leslie greeted us on our arrival and helped us with our bags. From the moment you arrive you feel at home and that’s the major difference from any other accommodation. You feel like you’ve come home and have met people happy to share their lives with you, their kitchen, their lounge and a beautiful balcony to chill out on. Just a short walk to a hawker centre for cheap Asian food and an MRT in to town, it’s quite unusual to be close to the city but away from the hustle and bustle.

Lots to talk about

The presidential elections in Singapore happened during our stay so the big day gave us something to talk about and politics of our nations to compare. Aside from having a “home” to stay in rather than just a room, it’s the conversations we enjoy, finding out about real local’s life, likes, dislikes, opinions and facts. We learnt more about Singapore that night than we ever have before (and we’ve been here 7 times now!).

We were lucky enough to spend 4 days with Vivian and Leslie. Long enough to feel like flat-mates and that we naturally belonged. Not just another couple in their hotel box of a room. You can’t put a price on that feeling and it’s not a feeling you often get when travelling either.

Speaking of price, it could quite easily sound like an expensive option for accommodation, considering you get not just a cosy bed (with air con of course) but also space to call home for a few days. The Urban Sanctuary that is Vivian and Leslie’s apartment was $91 Singapore Dollars a night ($75 USD) which is a cheaper than 90% of the hotels in Singapore! Certainly cheaper than the tiny room we paid for in the city.

Conclusion

Naturally I’m very pleased Roomorama, the short term rental experts, are now our new accommodation partner on Travel With a Mate. I must say a massive thank you to Vivian and Leslie for being such great hosts and sharing their beautiful home with us. I’m definitely hooked on short term rentals now and if they’re cheaper than a hotel, it’s really a no brainer.

Roomorama

You search for short term rental properties all over the world at Roomorama.com. Sign up today for free and check out a few properties. You can contact the owners directly and find a property that best suits your budget and needs. It’s a great way to view a new country in a really authentic way.

With thanks to our hosts Vivian and Leslie at the Urban Sanctuary, Singapore and to Roomorama. If you’re looking for Singapore short term rentals then Roomorama is a great site to find them!

We’ll be reviewing more great Roomorama properties in the coming months and of course we’ll let you know how we get on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tMWo549ufY