Report # 74 Singapore March 14, 2916 Monday Day Two Partly cloudy (rain) & 95 degrees Part # 1 of 4 84 Pictures

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2016 1:25:54 AM
Subject: Report # 74   Singapore   March 14, 2916   Monday   Day Two   Partly cloudy (rain) & 95 degrees   Part # 1 of 4                   84 Pictures

We had the best day ever in Singapore.  It was exciting, busy, on-the-run, and exhausting, but very, very good.  The morning started with a healthy breakfast in the dining room.  As we ate, another ship, Oceania's Insignia, pulled into the slip left vacant from the Crystal Serenity.   She is enroute from her world cruise, which is about 6 months we understand.  We would find out a bit later, that we knew some folks onboard that ship.

Going off with our passports, landing cards, umbrellas, and usual bag of stuff, we headed for the long walk connecting the ship to the terminal at Harbour Front Center.   Once there, we had to go through the immigrations inspection with our passports.  Felt like a Disneyland ride with the line that zig-zagged, taking 20 minutes at least.  While we turned the corners, a couple way in back of us asked if we were on the Amsterdam.  They were from the Insignia, but remembered us from the 2014 world cruise.  They said their trip was OK, but sure missed the staff on the HAL ship.  It said it all when they promised they would be back on next year's HAL world cruise.

Then again, as we exited the immigration check and the xray screening, we ran into another gal we recognized from previous world cruises.  She was also on the Insignia, and said she did not care for the staff on her ship.  She missed our Indonesian and Filipino crew, as well as the officers that are usually onboard for this trip.  She is also signed up for the 2017 grand voyage.  Anyway, it is a small world.

Our first stop was at a quality watch store in the terminal.  Barb had recommended this shop, and she was right on.  They had the special battery to fix my good watch, and it was done in less than 5 minutes.  Even though we had purchased this watch on the ship last year, the store manager did not sell batteries for it now.  Just as well, since we are sure the price was way better on shore.

The next stop was at the MRT counter to purchase the 2 day Singapore Tourist Pass to ride the MRT and LRT as much as we wanted for two full days.  It cost $26 S  ($18.84  US), and when we turn the cards back in tomorrow when we are done using them, we will get a $10 S refund.  It is a wonderful value, and we are certain to ride more than the card is really worth. 

We got a handy pocket map of the transit system, then went down the escalator to find the correct color for the way we wanted to go. There are five colors of routes, with most of them intersecting.  It is not unusual to go down two levels, then walk across and go up one level making your way north or west or east.  The signage is so good, it is hard to get really lost.  It does involve a lot of walking, but that's good for us.  (Might not think that way by 7pm tonight……)

Our first stop was at Chinatown.  There we walked through the food market with dozens of vendors cooking for the noontime crowd.  Typical Chinese cuisine is cooked there and the folks can eat at tables outside the shops.  One vendor was carefully dicing up durian fruit, then placing the coated seeds in small bowls.  As long as he did not slice into the seed pods, there was no odor.  Guess we can compare it to the smell of rotten eggs or sulfur smell.  Only tenfold in the aroma department.  Nearby, a corner stand was selling durian candies, cakes, cookies, and even durian ice cream or yogurt.  We took a pass on that one. 

We did go inside one of the major malls, but the majority of the shops were not open yet.  No treasures were found here.  What we did find, and forgot to mention, was the fact that it was sweltering today with temperatures heading into the high 90's, and the humidity equally as high.  No wonder most folks go underground, or stay completely inside these massive malls.  The oppressive heat is a killer.

Back on the MRT, we went off at Little India next.  There are many fabric shops that line these streets that sell the most beautiful silks and sari bolts of fabric for a pittance.  It was easy to find a most unusual design, actually called a Japanese sari.  The price came to $12 (Singapore), and although it might not be used as a traditional sari, it will be nice for a blouse and a matching shell.  On the way back, we found some neat earrings for formal nights, also a good deal.  Also picked up one light blue sequined top for gala night.  Little India had it all.

Continuing on, we made our way to the Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  This fabulous garden is always on our list, a must-see no matter what.  Bringing an umbrella was a wise move for one of us.  Not for the rain, which did come later, but for the unrelenting sun.  Until we were able to get in the shade of the mature trees, it really did help.  A highlight of the garden is the National Orchid Garden within the park.  For the price of $1 (senior), we saw 1000 species and 2000 hybrids of orchids.  Guarantee we have photos of each and every one.  A most welcome exhibit here is the Cool House, an isolated closed-in tropical forest displaying a realistic representation of a high elevation site  of the tropics.  Like its name suggests, it is cool, with water falls, and exotic ferns and plants that eat bugs.  Full descriptions are posted near all the varieties of foliage, ferns, and orchids.  Some are parasitic, while others just hitch a ride.    By the way, with over 4 million visitors a year, this garden has the distinction of being the most visited one in the world.  Well-deserved. 

We could have spent much more time here, but it looked like it could rain at any second, so we decided to make our way back to the MRT, and navigate our way to the Orchard stop for lunch.  That meant finding another line to transfer, taking a little more time.  We kept our fingers crossed that the Hard Rock Café would still be serving lunch at 3pm.  This MRT stop takes you into a huge shopping mall with high end stores.  Following the signs once again, we found Wheelock Place and the right way out.  Secretly, we do take photos along the way, so we can find our way back, just in case.   Sort of like leaving a trail of bread crumbs. We had decided that if the HRC was not opened, we go find wood-fired pizza at a nice place very close.

Lucky for us, they were opened, still serving lunch.  Splitting a cobb salad, and plenty of unlimited soda, we enjoyed resting up for an hour or so.  It was getting darker outside by the second, so when the waitress said to be careful with the slippery sidewalks, we knew the rain must have begun.  And when it comes here in Singapore, you know it.  A few scattered drops, led to a sudden deluge.  Good thing we brought our umbrellas, because even with the short walk back to Wheelock Place, we would have been soaked. 

This mall in the Orchard shopping district was really crowded, busy with thousands of people spending their day and plenty of their money.  Nothing is cheap here.  In fact, we are sure it contributes to the fact that Singapore is the most expensive city to live in the world.  It is also the safest and most clean place we have had the pleasure of visiting.

Still having time to explore, we headed for the City Hall station to find our way to legendary Raffles Hotel, famous for the cocktail, the Singapore Sling.  It's like stepping back to the colonial days, reflecting the architecture of the British rule that lasted from 1819 to 1963.  This is one place you need to be properly dressed (long pants, and suitable shoes), or you cannot go to any restaurant, let alone the lobby.  It is well-enforced.  There is no problem gong to the famous Long Bar, although it was closed on Mondays, or having drinks at the outside courtyard bar and café.  And obviously, you are free to shop in their signature shops.  We came away with nothing but photos.

A funny thing, was that it had not rained here yet.  But it sure felt like it was coming.  Heading back into Raffles City shopping complex, we needed to find the right connection to take us back to Clarke Quay on the Singapore River.  It was the center of trade back in the colonial days, but now is a hot spot for dining, drinking, and taking boat rides up and down the riverfront.  It's also a good place to find ice cream, followed by ½ price beers across the foot bridge.  One café after another lines one side of the river here, so we found a good spot to linger over some German draught beers.  You can sit outside the cafes without getting wet, with the help of gigantic clear umbrella-like overhangs.  By now it was 6pm, and beginning to get dark.

Time to head back, we got on the purple line to Harbor Front, noticing that the trains heading north were jammed with commuters going home to the outlying areas in Punggol.   Sure was nice to get back to the air-conditioned ship, although the system was not working well everywhere on the ship.  At our 8pm dinnertime in the dining room, it must have been 80 degrees, despite the fact it was mostly empty of guests by then.  Only four of us were there, which was nice.  Except Handler came alone once again, since Leslie is still under the weather.  We ordered a mostly Mexican dinner, which was much appreciated by us.

Tomorrow, we will have another day of exploring, so need to get a good night's sleep.  No problem, since we must have put on at least 100 miles today with the MRT rides and walking the major sites.

Bill & Mary Ann

Entering Vivo Mall from the cruise terminal down the escalator

Our first train ride on the MRT

First stop:  Chinatown

This is where we need to come back

Food court in Chinatown

Minced meat and Fishball Noodles….different for us

The Peking ducks looked good

Typical cook station

Lots of glazed poultry

Durian fruit

Vendor cutting durian open

Durian is a favorite fruit here

Cooked sticky buns

Crab legs and assorted fish

Busy preparing lunch

Shopping in Chinatown is very affordable

Many stops to see

This was a tea shop

By products of poultry, probably sold for soup stock

Little India MRT Station

The old Indian market looked closed

Typical Indian gold  -  18 karat

Walking towards Little India….traffic was stopped

Little India Arcade

They love deep and bright colors

A pedestrian street only

Peacock feathers were 50 cents Singapore  (36 cents US)

Lots of items for sale

Also very reasonable to buy here

Found a sequined top here

Most colorful place in Singapore

Yep, that will work for Gala night

Everything you need or not

Early in the day, not too crowded yet

Locals out and about

Flowers are sold here

The best sari fabrics

Now this is interesting – a Japanese sari

The Indian meat/produce market – closed today

The Botanic Garden exit/entrance

Entrance at the Bukit Timah Gate

Where are we???

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Vines trained on a trellis

Blooming shrubs

New plantings

Bamboo is really a grass

Facts we did not know before

Finally….some shade

The Visitor Center

Fountain at the center

Cooling effect

Near the Visitor Center

Kids just love water, don't they?

Plants grow well in this climate

Local girl blowing bubbles

Information can be picked up here

Fountain

Three levels of cascading water

Very nice spot

Palm Valley

Heliconia Walk

Lake with turtles and other wildlife

One of many birds

Pond turtle

Great colors

Green pond

Floating manmade islands for turtles

A monitor lizard

On the hunt

Finding shade

Type of plover

Too hot for most birds today

Tail of a huge monitor lizard

He is hiding well

Trail around the lake

Pond and gazebo

Unusual plantings

Symphony Stage

Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage

There it is

The clock at the Orchid Garden