Singapore Flyer from Gardens by the Bay

"Help us to be ever faithful gardeners of the spirit, who know that without darkness nothing comes to birth, and without light nothing flowers."
 May Sarton
 

Another early start to get to the Gardens by the Bay.  But first we head for the Singapore Flyer, their version of the London Eye, which has spectacular views across the Bay area. 
Fairly quiet when we arrive but there still seems to be a small queue?  Then I notice that not all of the "pods" are in use?  As they pass I see why, some have dining tables and chairs set out for meals, others with champagne flutes ready to receive guests.  Probably quite an unusual experience to have dinner and watch the sun go down from up there.
It's a relatively short walk from the Flyer across the Helix Bridge to the Gardens by the Bay, a nature park in 100 hectares of reclaimed land; reminds me of the Garden Festival sites around the UK back in the 80's and 90's which were also reclaimed industrial sites.  Plenty to do and see around here; we've opted for the Supertree Grove and the Skyway, a suspended walkway about 70 feet up.  Good fun.
We headed back to the hotel about 3pm for a break and short rest.  We're meeting two Australians later for a meal out at one of the Hawker Markets, to sample the locals food.  D and C arrive on time and we head out, after a quick rearrangement [the original market we planned to visit was closed for refurb] we find ourselves at Maxwells in Chinatown.  For those who've not been to one - and I recommend the experience - the market is an open area with tables and seating, with kiosks on three sides selling freshly prepared and cooked food.  The idea is buy your freshly cooked meals from the kiosk and sit at the tables to eat - so we had meals from three different kiosks and beer from a fourth.  An amazing shared meal in Chinatown, the best "takeaway" I've ever had!
The area was really buzzing by now so we took a stroll through the Chinatown markets - K did some more haggling and shopping - to round off our last full day in Singapore.