February 24, 2018

Singapore

Today’s going to be a good day, and here’s why (and if you can tell me the show that phrase comes from, you get an extra point). I’m sitting in a glorious brunch spot called the Common Man Coffee Roasters in Singapore, waiting on an avocado, halloumi and egg-filled plate of food to arrive to see me through until this evening. It’s unexpectedly not too hot or humid here today, and I managed to get out of the hotel early this morning to go for a spin class and then embark on an hour-long walk back to our hotel. I am consequently already brimming with endorphins. I’m sure many of you will know by now that I’m a huge fan of cities on water, and Singapore is just perfectly situated right on the straits between the Andaman Sea, the Java Sea and the South China Sea. As such, basically every view - particularly if you’re high up - gives amazing views of vast expanses of water, which also makes me very happy. I sat at the bar at the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel for hours on Wednesday, listening to new music and gazing out at the view, and I could not have been more content.

In addition to water and great views thereof, Singapore is also blessed with beautiful concert halls that have amazing acoustics (and brilliant audiences - even the man who crunched through a whole bag of sweets during the first half of last night's concert). The last time we were here, we performed in the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, which look like two silver bubbles resting next to the marina. I was bowled over by them. This time, we’re back in the Victoria Concert Hall, which was where The King’s Singers sang the very first time they came to Singapore in the 1980s. The acoustics are staggering - just like they were in the Esplanade - and my desire to return here has yet again strengthened. What more could a King’s Singer want than a beautiful city with great food, great people and great concert halls? So today is going to be a good day, because I get to enjoy all of these things yet again. Last night we were by ourselves on the stage, but tonight’s concert is joint with the Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir, and I’m hugely looking forward to it. As for now, my avocado, eggs and halloumi have arrived. I’m going to devour them, before walking back to the hotel along the waterfront with a smile spread across my face.