Since all aboard was 5pm today, we had to leave as early as we could to squeeze in the places we wanted to see today. Since it was a Friday, we waited until the bulk of the commuters would be on their way to work. So we left the ship around 9:30am, and headed off for the MRT. There was a nice breeze blowing today, and we hoped it would be a bit cooler than yesterday.
We had a long wait for the train to come, as not all of them will go to this end of the line stop. It did provide an opportunity to visit with some new friends, and share info on yesterday's exploits. We had met another couple yesterday that went to the Chinatown MRT ticket office to purchase the 2 day tourist pass, only to be told they had run out of tickets. Checking the list we were handed yesterday, we counted 9 possible MRT offices that sold the special passes. The best passes are the white ones that give you unlimited MRT train rides, but without the connecting buses. The prices were a 1 day pass for $10 Singapore, a 2 day pass for $16 S, and a 3 day pass for $20 S. All these tickets had an extra $10 S (refundable) deposit. We realized that we had been paying for a higher amount card (the red one), and never used any buses that were included. The problem was that not all of these nine stations sold both types of cards. Strange thing - we were advised yesterday that we had to go to another station, which for us was at HarbourFront by choice. A lucky guess for us, as we bought the right cards. Today, there was a sign posted at Marina South Pier office saying they only sold the red cards, a sign that was not there yesterday. Perhaps they provided some cards to sell here, since our ship was in port for two days. Guess we will never know. But something we know for sure, is that there were some very unhappy campers yesterday.
A larger group had begun to form for the ride to the Botanic Garden. Since most all of them had not been there before, they asked if they could follow us. So we were like the Pied Piper, leading this group, hopefully the right way. It was the red line to the blue line, and off at Botanic Garden. However, it did involve going up escalators, around and about the card gates, and back down two levels to find the blue line going the right way. We had done it yesterday, so everyone stuck close as not to get lost. All you have to do is follow the signage along with the map in a booklet, and you are OK.
Have we mentioned that all of these trains are unmanned….no drivers, except for people-operated computerized panels with cameras as the navigators? When the red lights begin flashing, signaling that the doors will close, you better be clear of them. Sometimes they are opened and closed within one minute, so you need to move quickly, and follow what the locals do.
We all made it to the gate at the Botanic Gardens, and off we all went. Spending two hours here, we found our way from the Bukit Timah Gate through the trellis garden, the bougainvilleas and bamboo collection, and the eco garden past the herbs and spices. Near the parking garage, we saw a new place called Bee's Knees, a spot for tea and coffee, we think. Cute name, it is a phrase our parents used to say many, many years ago.
Continuing to the visitor's center and park headquarters, we followed the main road to the Symphony Lake. On the way there, we saw some folks looking high into the canopy of the trees. Eventually, we saw what they had spotted…..a fish owl. It was perched up so high, you could barely see it. Did cause a little back-up with other folks curious to see what we were looking at.
Taking the long way around the lake, we went down to see the turtles and fish in the waters. On the backside of the pond, we saw a few monitor lizards crawling around the banks. Then looking harder, we saw one monitor that had to be at least six feet from head to tail. A big one. Almost did not look real, until he blinked his eyes and puffed out his neck. Had we not been looking, we would have strolled right past him as he was partially hidden along the grassy banks of the pond.
A bit further up, we saw a group of young ladies posing close to the water. One cute girl had bent over too low, and lost her white cap in the murky pond. When we came upon them, they were all trying to figure out how to get her hat before it went under. Looking for a stick, we handed one girl a foot long branch, which was all we could find. They keep this park so manicured, there is no litter around. Not even green litter. Just as the girl went to grab her hat, a huge catfish appeared and grabbed her hat and her fingers, scaring her to death. You could not see it coming. We were all laughing so hard, that a park worker came running with a long pole and net, and scooped her hat out. She was most happy to get it back. Well, that was fun.
Located nearby, was the famous National Orchid Garden, which we never miss when we visit here. It cost one Singapore dollar for a senior's ticket. Good way to use up the loose change we had collected. There are over 1000 species of orchids and 2000 hybrids. Needless to say, we spent an hour in here alone, taking many photos. The best spot in the garden is the Cool House, where you go through double doors into a mountain-like setting, many degrees cooler than outside. The plants and orchids in here represent what you may find at higher elevations in a misty tropics.
Across from the Cool House, was the Tan Hoon Siang Mist House, not really a house, but a netted display with overhead misters. It is designed with tropical foliage with displays of new orchid cultivators and award-winning species. Last year, we came upon two naughty small squirrels that had gotten under this netting, invading the plants. They are known to dine on these exotic flowers, so we figured they would be gone by now.
To our surprise, after exiting the display, we spotted two of the squirrels scurrying up the pine and palms. Perhaps they have a nest here, and are not as destructive as we originally believed them to be. They are so quick, we lost their path within a minute.
We knew we had to move on, so we back-tracked to the gate we had entered, and went back down to the train. Pizza sounded good to us (what a surprise), so we went to the California Pizza Kitchen at the Orchard Road stop. It was very near the Hard Rock Café. Today we ordered a margarita pizza with one root beer, and one iced lemon tea. Sure was nice having our glasses filled complimentary, since it was also hot today.
After lunch, we asked where the restrooms were. Our waiter said go out the back, turn left, and turn right at the end of the lane. Ever since our cute little waitress in the Pinnacle Grill admired my new designer purse from Hong Kong, we have been on the lookout for the "real" thing. Found it on our way to the restrooms. The store was named Bao Bao Issey Miyake, a new one for us. Pricing a similar bag, we were shocked to see that the prices were between $430 to $530 or $305 to $376. Wow. Now I really like my new purse that I simply bought because I liked the colors of silver and red.
Figuring we still had enough time to stop at Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Shopping Mall, we headed that way on the red line. It was on the way back to the pier, but not so easy to access. We had to go to Marina Bay, then transfer to the gold line to Bayfront. There we saw the massive mall, the huge hotel with the Skypark on the roof, and a view of the Singapore Flyer, the Merlion facing Marina Bay, and the 250 acre Gardens by the Bay across the way. There was only time for some pictures, then we had to go back to the Marina South Pier stop to get back to the terminal.
Going out the last set of gates, we turned in our passes and got the $20 S deposit back. All of our rides for two full days had ended up costing us a tad over $11 USD each. A bargain, considering how expensive the ship's tours in Singapore are. We like this so much better, because we call the shots, and our time is our own.
After passing through the final immigration check, we got back on the ship, but did not surrender our passports as requested at the gangway. We had to put the other passport we carry with the India visas in them back with our current passports. No problem bringing them to the front desk people, who gave us the receipt for them. Later, closer to 6pm, well before the planned sail away time, several names were called for guests to bring their passports to the front desk, or else. The Singapore officials would not release us without everybody accounted for.
We spent the rest of the time in our room , which was not long, since we wanted to go up to deck eight before the sun went down. Few people were there because the scheduled sail away was in the Crow's Nest at 7pm. Eventually, after calling several more folks to bring their passports to the front desk, the ship left before 7pm. We are now heading towards Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, arriving early tomorrow morning. This is one time we wished for a few sea days to rest up.
Carol, the resident water color teacher had joined us once again for dinner. First time we have had such a full table in a long time, and even though we were all exhausted, we did have a nice meal together.
Doubt many of us will go to the show of a singer by the name of Clare Langan, who was going to sing music from the Beatles and beyond. Perhaps we will catch her the next time around.
Sorry to end our stay in Singapore….the time always go by way too fast.
Bill & Mary Ann
Tiled wall in the Marina South Pier MRT
These are the expensive passes
These were a better buy, but not available at Marina South Pier
The train station – one side is south, the opposite side north
Walking into the Botanic Gardens
Bamboo is a type of grass
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Directions
Bee's Knees in the Botanic Gardens
Manicured grounds
Every square foot is perfect
Tall trees
Trellised vines
Morning glory
Visitors Center
Fountains
Pretty palms
Visitor Center
Facilities are in this area
Fountain
About center of the gardens
Cooling effect
A fish owl high in the canopy
Landscaping is wonderful
Many spots to rest in this park
Heading towards Symphony Lake
Follow the path and you will find it
An oasis in the city of Singapore
Banana blossom, tiny bananas below
Banana trees
The pond
Lovely
Pond hut had fish pellets to feed the turtles
Small turtle
Many friends
Other critters in here too
Coming around for the food
Even fighting
Survival of the fastest
Some larger than others
Fish down under
Getting air
Lipstick palms
Monitor lizard along the bank
They swim quite well
This monitor was 6 feet long
Related to the Komodo dragon
Hardly moving
Watching us
A smaller one, but big enough
What else is in these waters?
Oh no….lost her hat
Surprise…a large catfish liked the hat
Finding our way to the orchid garden
The Symphony Stage
Symphony Stage and Lake
Park is very green this year
A couple of years ago there was a drought
Kids were on spring break
Clock tower had correct time
The National Orchid Garden entrance
Cost us 1 Singapore dollar (senior price)
The nicest place in this park
Bill always poses here
Anthriums
Arches of tiny orchids
Fountain
So many types of orchids
Did not look real, but were
Hillside of flowers
Stairway to the Burkhill Hall
Perfect blossoms
Large variety
Following the pathway
The Cool House - nice
Tiny blooms
This palm can be found on tropical shirts
Great design
Growing grounds down below
Morning glory on the railings
Heading for the coolest place
Tiny blooms
Even smaller
Inside the Cool House
Hybrids
Slipper-like bloom
