Singapore

Singapore was the last port of call on our cruise and we arrived at the dock at sunrise. From the cruise ship dock we could see lots of new construction including five buildings that looked to be curved, bent and twisted by design.

   

A short taxi ride from the ship and we arrived at our hotel located within walking distance from the ocean. Getting around Singapore is very easy. They have many bus and subway routes and provide overpasses and tunnels for pedestrians to cross major streets. They also have stiff fines ($500) for jaywalking and enforce the law.

 

After checking into our hotel we walked to the spotless public beach and could see hundreds of cargo ships waiting to load/unload at the busy port.

   

On our return to the hotel we stopped at the food court in the nearby mall. Lots of noodle and duck “fast food” shops.

Some of the menu items included “Pig’s organ Congee”, “Fried Intestine Congee”, “Frog Leg Congee” and “Raw Fish”. Additional toppings of “Pig’s Intestine” and Cuttlefish could be requested.

The many bakery shops were a safe choice (for us) and several had fancy cake designs, such as a cute doggie.

Singapore is very strict on their laws and enforce them. The laws and high fines may seem strange to outsiders. For example; the fine for littering is $1000 and mandatory cleaning of the dirtiest streets in the city.  The enforcement of the  laws have created a very clean and friendly city where people respect laws. 

 

 

In the afternoon we took a city bus tour of downtown Singapore and passed by the Singapore Flyer. A 42 story (450 feet) high wheel where passengers view the city from glass capsules as the wheel rotates.

We passed some of the city’s old hotels and beautiful parks tucked between the many new skyscrapers.

 

Merlion Park, named for the statue of a creature that is part lion and part fish, is at the center of new development in downtown Singapore. This construction includes a new casino/hotel which has three towers connected at the top by a structure that looks like a large ship.

 

After Merlion Park we headed to the Chinatown section and visited a temple.

After Chinatown we passed through India Town and a Hindu temple.

Next stop, Mount Faber Park on the second highest peak in Singapore. As we traveled up Mount Faber Road we were greeted by one of the wild monkeys that live in the park.

A great view of the waterfront and the city skyline.

 

A light rain started as we headed for the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid Garden.

Singapore has the perfect climate for growing orchids  and there were acres of orchids growing outdoors.

Fred taking a rest at one of the many fountains within the Orchid Garden.

The gardens are a perfect site for wedding photos.

Returning to our hotel we passed many apartment building like the following.

 

We were up at 1:45AM to start our return trip back home. After 30+ hours of travel, crossing 12 time zones and the International Dateline the lack of sleep caught up with us during an 8 hour layover at the Detroit airport.