My Singapore Grand Prix Weekend - 2013
Discussion
Just posted this up on another forum I use and thought you fine people might enjoy it 
This was easily one of the best weekends I've ever had anywhere and it wasn't just down to it being the F1. Those who think the F1 race is boring in Singapore, then think again. The F1 race itself is broing on the whole, but this year the final laps of the race were something very special to behold in person. Even if it wasn't for this cracking ending, the whole weekend was as good as they get in every single way, it really is hard to put it into words!
I'm lucky that my other half currently works over in Bangkok and has a great group of friends from her previous contract out in Shanghai. They all decided to come along to Singapore for a catchup weekend of partying....... and the F1 was also in town
Friday
Arrived and Changi airport and knew this weekend was going to be special as soon as we got to the hotel. What a clean, stunning and pleasant city, awash with F1 fans and poeple here for a good time.
Finally dumped our things and headed out for drinks and grub, but with it being 10pm already, the night was subdued and relaxed, catching up with friends and drinking the incredibly expensive cockatils and beers until around 3am.
Saturday
Lazy lazy morning followed by hitting the Raffles Hotel (birthplace) for of the 'Singapore Sling'. Brunch and many cocktails ensued......... The theme of this weekend!
Had a nice afternoon nap then headed off to Marina Bay for drinks before the F1 qualifying. Unfortunately the Sky Bars across the city seemed to have been hired out for private events, but we enjoyed ourselves nevertheless, drinking the evening away and wandering around the bay to the track entrance down by the Fullerton Hotel.
Sunset over Marina Bay
Nightfall
Looking back at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
Frickin' LASERS and cocktail time!
Underneath the straight by the Fullerton Hotel whilst failing to find the track entry gate
Our seats in the Connaught stand.... Not bad Obama.
Qualy and some Red Bull dude doing alright.
View down the straight to the Fullerton Hotel corner.
Killers gig, not bad, but only really cared about their big hits tbh!
Partying in Boat Quay until some ungodly hour!
Sunday
Race day begun with the most leisurely of starts after a hectic and heavy Saturday!
Hit P.S Cafe for an out of this world brunch before heading over to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel for afternoon cocktails (at Ku De Ta), meeting new people and just generally enjoying ourselves as much as possible. Managed to grab a nice table with a view (by sheer luck) and spent the afternoon here until the GP2 race roared into action. It really was heaven being in a lovely bar, looking over Singpaore, with the air full of roaring engines..... Petrolhead party heaven!
Not a bad view.
A cracking old fashioned, Singapore Style!
Hotel and the Port.
Race time!!!!
Fullerton Hotel corner and GP2 race.
Corner leading to Padang Straight.
Sunday - The F1 Race!!!!!
The city was absolutely buzzing as darkness fell, people everywhere, fans singing and a mass of bodies heading towards the circuit. Midly excited by this point
Got back to our stand and off we went! No talking the next hour up, but after Vettel fought off Rosberg into the first few corners, the racing was fairly dull for the most part. A few good tussles at the tail end and mid-pack, but lucky for us the racing went BONKERS coming into the last 10 or laps. This is where our seats really paid off, being at the end of the Fullerton Hotel straight and behidn those lit up hedgehog buildings!
We could see the cars closely following each other around the slow corner by the Fullerton Hotel, then all we had to do is wait for the action. Having all the top teams and drivers (bar Seb) slipstreaming, attempting and succeeding at overtaking each other no more than 12ft infront of us was something to behold. Suddenly everone was awake and on the edge of their seats....... AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!!
I'll let the pictures do the talking!
Back marker tussling with added sparks!
The fun begins!!!!
Seb won. We enjoyed the fireworks
Oh Hai Mark
So after that epic ending to the race, we popped over the track to the arena to watch Rihanna do some miming........So we drank trays of Tiger to ease the pain.
Then ended the night playing 'Donkey Kong' in true 2D SNES style
This was easily one of the best weekends I've ever had anywhere and it wasn't just down to it being the F1. Those who think the F1 race is boring in Singapore, then think again. The F1 race itself is broing on the whole, but this year the final laps of the race were something very special to behold in person. Even if it wasn't for this cracking ending, the whole weekend was as good as they get in every single way, it really is hard to put it into words!
I'm lucky that my other half currently works over in Bangkok and has a great group of friends from her previous contract out in Shanghai. They all decided to come along to Singapore for a catchup weekend of partying....... and the F1 was also in town
Friday
Arrived and Changi airport and knew this weekend was going to be special as soon as we got to the hotel. What a clean, stunning and pleasant city, awash with F1 fans and poeple here for a good time.
Finally dumped our things and headed out for drinks and grub, but with it being 10pm already, the night was subdued and relaxed, catching up with friends and drinking the incredibly expensive cockatils and beers until around 3am.
Saturday
Lazy lazy morning followed by hitting the Raffles Hotel (birthplace) for of the 'Singapore Sling'. Brunch and many cocktails ensued......... The theme of this weekend!
Had a nice afternoon nap then headed off to Marina Bay for drinks before the F1 qualifying. Unfortunately the Sky Bars across the city seemed to have been hired out for private events, but we enjoyed ourselves nevertheless, drinking the evening away and wandering around the bay to the track entrance down by the Fullerton Hotel.
Sunset over Marina Bay
Nightfall
Looking back at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
Frickin' LASERS and cocktail time!
Underneath the straight by the Fullerton Hotel whilst failing to find the track entry gate
Our seats in the Connaught stand.... Not bad Obama.
Qualy and some Red Bull dude doing alright.
View down the straight to the Fullerton Hotel corner.
Killers gig, not bad, but only really cared about their big hits tbh!
Partying in Boat Quay until some ungodly hour!
Sunday
Race day begun with the most leisurely of starts after a hectic and heavy Saturday!
Hit P.S Cafe for an out of this world brunch before heading over to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel for afternoon cocktails (at Ku De Ta), meeting new people and just generally enjoying ourselves as much as possible. Managed to grab a nice table with a view (by sheer luck) and spent the afternoon here until the GP2 race roared into action. It really was heaven being in a lovely bar, looking over Singpaore, with the air full of roaring engines..... Petrolhead party heaven!
Not a bad view.
A cracking old fashioned, Singapore Style!
Hotel and the Port.
Race time!!!!
Fullerton Hotel corner and GP2 race.
Corner leading to Padang Straight.
Sunday - The F1 Race!!!!!
The city was absolutely buzzing as darkness fell, people everywhere, fans singing and a mass of bodies heading towards the circuit. Midly excited by this point
Got back to our stand and off we went! No talking the next hour up, but after Vettel fought off Rosberg into the first few corners, the racing was fairly dull for the most part. A few good tussles at the tail end and mid-pack, but lucky for us the racing went BONKERS coming into the last 10 or laps. This is where our seats really paid off, being at the end of the Fullerton Hotel straight and behidn those lit up hedgehog buildings!
We could see the cars closely following each other around the slow corner by the Fullerton Hotel, then all we had to do is wait for the action. Having all the top teams and drivers (bar Seb) slipstreaming, attempting and succeeding at overtaking each other no more than 12ft infront of us was something to behold. Suddenly everone was awake and on the edge of their seats....... AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME!!!!
I'll let the pictures do the talking!
Back marker tussling with added sparks!
The fun begins!!!!
Seb won. We enjoyed the fireworks
Oh Hai Mark
So after that epic ending to the race, we popped over the track to the arena to watch Rihanna do some miming........So we drank trays of Tiger to ease the pain.
Then ended the night playing 'Donkey Kong' in true 2D SNES style
Fantastic photos. Miles better than the snaps I took, so I won't lower the tone of the thread by posting mine.
We had a similar, brilliant weekend. Left (the kids at home) Newcastle at noon on Thursday with Emirates. Had a couple of hours in Dubai, where we topped up in the Heineken bar. Then a superb flight on an A380 to Changi, arriving about 3pm on Friday afternoon.
Quick stop in the airport for coffee and cake, we got the skytrain to terminal 3 and then the MRT into the city centre. It's a brilliantly clean and organised city.
Arrived at the hotel around 5pm. Mrs Guinness had a nap and I popped over to the Conference centre to pick up the tickets. Back to the hotel, quick pint and a meal in Chinatown, then back on the MR to Nicholl Highway for our first visit to the track for Second Practice. Watched that from the Pit Grandstand, followed by more beer.
Then back to Club Street for drinks and a snack before bed.
Next afternoon saw us do a bit of sightseeing and another fantastic meal in Chinatown. Then off to the track to watch the GP2, third practice, the Porsche's and then Qualy. All from the Pit Grandstand, with an interval to watch Bob Geldof play a set. Then wandered off to Padang to watch the Killers, followed by more beer.
Sunday saw us up at mid afternoon, watched the GP2 Race, Porsche Cup and Drivers parade, then the race itself from a Stand opposite the pit lane entry / turn 23.
Then dinner round at the Esplanade. Gave Rihanna a miss as we could hear how shocking she was from the bridge. Back to Club Street for more beer.
Monday was our shopping / touristy day, until a 9pm flight back to Dubai, a 7 hour lay over there and then our final flight back home to Newcastle.
Overall, it was a superb weekend. We were thoroughly looked after at every stage, with brilliant customer service. Singapore itself is easy to navigate, clean and welcoming. The locals seemed to accept and welcome the F1 tourists. The MRT is dead easy to use and air-conditioned!
I strongly suspect that Singapore has underfloor heating under every pavement as it's so hot. But that aside, it was a perfect way to celebrate being 40!
I'd do it again, but I think we'll have to bag a few European races over the next few years to save up.
We had a similar, brilliant weekend. Left (the kids at home) Newcastle at noon on Thursday with Emirates. Had a couple of hours in Dubai, where we topped up in the Heineken bar. Then a superb flight on an A380 to Changi, arriving about 3pm on Friday afternoon.
Quick stop in the airport for coffee and cake, we got the skytrain to terminal 3 and then the MRT into the city centre. It's a brilliantly clean and organised city.
Arrived at the hotel around 5pm. Mrs Guinness had a nap and I popped over to the Conference centre to pick up the tickets. Back to the hotel, quick pint and a meal in Chinatown, then back on the MR to Nicholl Highway for our first visit to the track for Second Practice. Watched that from the Pit Grandstand, followed by more beer.
Then back to Club Street for drinks and a snack before bed.
Next afternoon saw us do a bit of sightseeing and another fantastic meal in Chinatown. Then off to the track to watch the GP2, third practice, the Porsche's and then Qualy. All from the Pit Grandstand, with an interval to watch Bob Geldof play a set. Then wandered off to Padang to watch the Killers, followed by more beer.
Sunday saw us up at mid afternoon, watched the GP2 Race, Porsche Cup and Drivers parade, then the race itself from a Stand opposite the pit lane entry / turn 23.
Then dinner round at the Esplanade. Gave Rihanna a miss as we could hear how shocking she was from the bridge. Back to Club Street for more beer.
Monday was our shopping / touristy day, until a 9pm flight back to Dubai, a 7 hour lay over there and then our final flight back home to Newcastle.
Overall, it was a superb weekend. We were thoroughly looked after at every stage, with brilliant customer service. Singapore itself is easy to navigate, clean and welcoming. The locals seemed to accept and welcome the F1 tourists. The MRT is dead easy to use and air-conditioned!
I strongly suspect that Singapore has underfloor heating under every pavement as it's so hot. But that aside, it was a perfect way to celebrate being 40!
I'd do it again, but I think we'll have to bag a few European races over the next few years to save up.
Great stuff! This exactly mirrors my experience of Singapore this year. Fantastic place.
We couldn't get into Ku De Ta on Friday as I failed the dress code
. But we did manage to blag a table at Level 33, a great Steak House with epic views across the whole of Marina Bay and it's own micro brewery - 7.6% IPA... 
On Saturday, we saw Bob Geldoff in concert who was absolutely fantastic, and then had row 1 seats on the start line for qualifying. Beleive it or not, they were quite sight restrictive, so we watched the GP on Sunday from the Cricket Club Pavilion. I'm probably in one of your pics, same bar Saturday night...
. Boat Quay had the same feel as Le Mans after the drivers parade, everyone just having a good time.
My phone pictures sadly pale into insignificance compared to yours though. And I agree with your observations. Clean, green city. Unbeleivably cheap and efficient public transport. Mind blowing wine prices though!. Friendly locals. The biggest surprise? English is the first langauge out there, menus, signs, shops, waitresses etc. etc... Just made it so easy. The whole experience was truly memorable.
We couldn't get into Ku De Ta on Friday as I failed the dress code
. But we did manage to blag a table at Level 33, a great Steak House with epic views across the whole of Marina Bay and it's own micro brewery - 7.6% IPA... On Saturday, we saw Bob Geldoff in concert who was absolutely fantastic, and then had row 1 seats on the start line for qualifying. Beleive it or not, they were quite sight restrictive, so we watched the GP on Sunday from the Cricket Club Pavilion. I'm probably in one of your pics, same bar Saturday night...
. Boat Quay had the same feel as Le Mans after the drivers parade, everyone just having a good time.My phone pictures sadly pale into insignificance compared to yours though. And I agree with your observations. Clean, green city. Unbeleivably cheap and efficient public transport. Mind blowing wine prices though!. Friendly locals. The biggest surprise? English is the first langauge out there, menus, signs, shops, waitresses etc. etc... Just made it so easy. The whole experience was truly memorable.
parabolica said:
What was the humidity like out there? That's the only thing that is putting Canada ahead at the moment.
Humidity was ok. If you look through the pictures, most people are wearing shorts and T shirts, but plenty in jeans as well. Nobody wearing roll neck jumpers and water proofs though.... It's a cracking place is Sing, I'm lucky enough to head there for work every so often and I always enjoy my time there even without the circus of F1 being in town.
As mentioned above, the humidity is the only downer, it does make doing the outside touristy stuff a little like a trial.
That said, it's not a permanent feature, I was lucky to have 2 weeks in August 2012 with no humidity at all.
As mentioned above, the humidity is the only downer, it does make doing the outside touristy stuff a little like a trial.
That said, it's not a permanent feature, I was lucky to have 2 weeks in August 2012 with no humidity at all.
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