Also, when going ashore here, you need passports with the stamped landing cards for the security check. And room keys of course. By law, we all needed to carry our passports with us while visiting here.
Now, the clincher…..we were docked in a very different port today. Located at Marina South Terminal, the Amsterdam was almost in the middle of nowhere as far as accessibility to the malls we are always attached to. HarbourFront is our normal spot, right across from Sentosa Island, where we were connected to a huge series of malls. Most important, we were very close to the MRT, the underground transit system. Guess we were spoiled and did not know it.
There was only one other time, no actually two times, that we were docked in the container port. But both times, a shuttle was run back to HarbourFront, where we always go. Today, at this different pier, we had two options. One was taking a complimentary shuttle to Millenia Walk Shopping Center, or walk 600 yards under a covered walkway in the heat to the red line of the MRT (North and South Line). We had been advised that the tourists passes could be purchased at this station. Well, that was incorrect. The 2 day Tourist Pass was not available here, so we had to buy a one-time card that would take us to a station that did sell them at a ticket office, manned by a real person. There were about five of these stations. We had to buy a ticket to HarbourFront, since we knew where the ticket office was located. Luckily these short ride tickets were available at a machine that was in English with good instructions. By the way, the ticket offices were opened at 8am to 4pm at all locations.
Since this stop was the end of the line, we had no problem finding the train. We would have to transfer at Dhoby Ghaut and go on the purple line to HarbourFront. All of this took time, and we were most annoyed that we all had to do this to buy our 2 day passes. Not only that, it would be difficult for those passengers that would be using canes, walkers, or wheelchairs, if not impossible to follow this path, especially in this oppressive heat and humidity. Anyway, that is our 2 cents worth. Obviously, the Amsterdam had been bumped by another ship, and we lost.
Did we mention that another cruise ship was also docked across from us? We certainly did not realize that until we got mixed up with so many passengers disembarking inside the terminal. It was like another beehive of folks lining up to pass through security and the xray going into Singapore. In this city, you have to go through exiting the ship, as well as getting back on. Like everything else in Singapore, security is extremely tight. Anyway, the ship was the Norwegian Star, a 91,740 gross ton vessel, holding as many as 2,846 passengers. Built in 2001, the ship is described as a family-friendly, multi-choice vessel for active types.
Finally with our bargain MRT cards, a deal at $16 Singapore dollars and a $10 S deposit (returnable), we could ride these trains non-stop for two full days. So for a little over $11 USD, we got a great value for our two day stay. So we began our journey today by going to Chinatown on the purple line. We needed a couple of pocket calculators, and we found them here in Chinatown. You know they are hard to find, since everyone and their brother has one built into their cell phones. That is, except us. One of us really liked the Maneki Neko, the Japanese beckoning luck cat. You know the sitting cat that waves his left paw up and down (battery operated). It was easy to find a small one for $5 Singapore, and the vendor even put a new battery inside the box for us. What a bargain. This little gold kitty will be a reminder of our fun time in the Orient, as we have seen them ever since we stopped in Japan, as well as all through China.
Chinatown was originally created to house the Chinese population in the early days. Now it is a busy multicultural area where we found markets quite similar to the veggie, meat, poultry and fish markets in Hong Kong. We felt like we were back in the Chinese cities we recently toured. At People's Park, there is a cafeteria-style food court where we watched while fresh dumplings were being made by hand. Some cooks were crimping them with a plastic "crimper", while others were pinching the dough with their fingers, leaving a special mark on them identifying their ingredients. Many stalls had the finished glazed chickens and ducks hanging in the windows, while other places had a full array of Chinese food in tubs, buffet-style, that we have come to enjoy here on the ship. This time of the morning, folks were busy slurping noodles for their breakfast. Thin pancakes were being grilled, but filled with veggies and meat. They were folded in half, and eaten like tacos. Steamed buns were for sale by the tons…the purple ones were made with purple sweet potato dough.
Next stop was further up the line at Little India, where we went mainly for colorful photos. It is home to many shops selling spices, snacks, saris, glittering jewelry, Indian clothing and purses, and brassware. Determined not to buy any fabric, we strolled through our favorite shop, mostly to cool off from the heat. Naturally, the shop girl was folding saris for a table that would be ½ off. One of them was MY color, and gorgeous. And on sale. And since one of us forgot to pack a sari for the gala Mumbai night, this one will work just fine.
On the way back to the MRT, we looked for a money changer, but only noticed that there were pawn shops every other store. We had left over yen from Japan, and the best way to exchange it directly, is here. On the ship, they will change it back to the US dollars, then make another commission selling you the Singapore money for instance. We are getting better at this, although we still resist using an ATM card while overseas. Only in an emergency.
We walked through Tekka Center where locals were deep into eating lunch…all Indian cuisine, fast-food style. Located there is the Wet Market, with a veggie market and meat and fish stalls. Took a bunch of photos as we made our way back towards the station.
One last stop was at a jewelry stall, where we purchased a 3 piece set of gorgeous "diamonds". Dripping in "bling", but at an affordable price.
Next stop….the Botanic Gardens of Singapore. We got there by taking the blue line from Little India to the Botanic Garden stop. We love walking this park, but realized that it was getting later in the afternoon, and perhaps we could come back tomorrow…early, to enjoy it. Besides, it had to be near 100 degrees out, without a breeze. So we headed back to the MRT, going down the escalators like moles. By the way, it is almost always cooler down there. One thing we observed, is that the streets are not overly-crowded, since most everyone stays inside the malls, which are either in tall high rises, or underground several levels. By using the MRT, you never need to go outside at all, if you choose.
Lunch was on the agenda, and the best place we know is the Hard Rock Café at the Orchard stop, the red line, which we accessed by going back on the blue line. Once we went out to Orchard Road at Wheelock Place from the mall, we ran right into friends Shirley and Jack. What are the odds that in a city of millions of people, that we would cross paths with our buddies? They were able to point out a money changer as well, where we exchanged yen for Singapore dollars. Easy, and way cheaper than on the ship.
It was a short walk to the HRC, where we gladly ordered Coke Zero (re-fillable for free), nachos, and a burger to share. Also added a slice of mud pie to split. It was wonderful relaxing in this fun setting. Three waitresses were waiting on us, and loved hearing about our journey so far. We come here every time we are in the city, and always get the best food and service in town, even though prices are about the highest of anywhere else we have gone so far. Usually we buy a city tee, but the design was the same as last year. We decided to wait and get one next year. Time was flying, and we wanted to make one more stop before going back.
So we continued on the red line to City Hall to see for ourselves what was happening at Raffles Hotel. We heard they were under renovations, and much of it was closed to the public. Well, they were correct. Only the Billiard Room was opened for Singapore Slings (about $25 Singapore), and the restaurant for afternoon tea was opened. Also only one store was opened, Raffles Shop, but few folks were in there. A sign said that the new hotel will be revealed mid-2018.
Back on the red line, we took the train to Marina Bay, the end of the line. But we needed to go further to Marina South Pier, so had to wait for the next train at a different platform. We got back to the terminal after 4pm, going through the same security, only in reverse, as we did this morning. Exhausted, one of us worked on reports while the other downloaded all the photos of the day.
Thinking we may be alone at dinner tonight, we were happy to see the two fellows, Barb, and a guest, Carol, or watercolor instructor on the ship. We have known her for years, and she has always been a frequent guest at our table over the years. Food was good too, especially the mud pie, which was mislabeled as calypso torte. Had to give it a try, just for a test. Yep, mud pie, and the second one of the day, no less. Oh well, someone has to do it. Carol agreed, so she gave her vanilla ice cream away to Martin, and also ordered mud pie….loved each and every bite. Our entrees were one Indonesian (risjtafel?) and one BBQ pork with skewered shrimp and noodles (Chinese). Both excellent as was the company. As always, we all shared our exploits of the first day in Singapore.
There was a one- time local show at 8pm in the Queen's Lounge, Singapore Music and Dance. Unfortunately, we missed it because it was our dinner time. Maureen and Jim will have to tell us about it, since they opted to eat earlier, and go at 8pm. Sometimes, the timing of these shows cannot always please everyone. Would have been nice at 7pm, but what do we know? The best show had to be the view of Marina Bay at night and the ferris wheel that we enjoyed while eating in the lower dining room tonight. Priceless…..
Looking forward to another day in Singapore. Too bad all aboard will be 5pm.
Bill & Mary Ann
Unusual sunrise after 7 am while arriving to Singapore
Docked near to Marina Bay Sand Hotel
Newest icon of Singapore and the largest flyer in the world
The 600 yard covered walkway to the Marina South Pier MRT
Downtown Singapore
Blue skies in the early morning
The Marina Bay Terminal
Large tug helping the Amsterdam
Green lawns along the walkway
Pretty much docked in the middle of nowhere
Long way to get to the MRT
Six hundred yards to go…..
Many trees planted here
Marina Bay Sand Hotel
Heading towards the MRT Station
Found it
Going down the escalator
The end of the line at Marina South Pier
Inside the red line train
First stop was at Chinatown
People's Park in Chinatown
Food shopping
Fast food Chinese-style
Chickens will be cooked
Samples of food entrees
Girls were making dumplings
He was stuffing dumplings too
Fresh ingredients for the dumplings
One stall after another making dumplings
Selling old coins
These tables will be filled with lunch customers soon
Look what we found
Fast food at McDonald's ($3.00 Singapore is $2.13 USD)
Buffet-style meats
Steamed buns
Steamed buns with different fillings
These are some type of fruit on a stick
Interesting choices
Chinese food
More sticky buns
Purple dough is flavored with purple sweet potatoes
Pancakes – different from our pancakes
Slices of bread
Shops outside the store
Multi-level shopping in Chinatown
More buns – breakfast food
Year the rooster - 2017
Skyscrapers outside
The exit at Little India
Walking from the station
It was so hot outside by now
A pair of peacocks mark the street to Little India
Peacock feather for sale - cheap
School kids on a field trip
Clothing in Little India – many bargains
Lots of tourists here
All these school kids had a peacock feather
Several side streets full of shops
Inexpensive bags in Little India
Flower stand
Like the colors
A favorite sari store we always visit
So much to choose from
Had not planned on buying a sari, but…….it was ½ off
Very neat and clean here
Not too crowded yet in Little India
Very old street sign
Heading back through the shopping mall in Little India
Tekka Center- Little India eatery
The Wet Market
Bananas and super large breadfruit
Coming into the meat and fish market
Many stalls of fresh meat and fish
Prices ranged from $14 USD to $21 USD per kilogram (2.2 lbs)
Fresh prawns
Assorted fish
Other meats were lamb, goat, and mutton
More fish
Sitting on ice
Blue crab – quite expensive
Ice-covered fish
Small squid and other small fish
This looked better – the veggies
Smelled much better too
We recognize most of the produce
Much of it is imported7
