SINGAPORE—IMPRESSIONS (3/18-19/12)

∙ WHAT WE DID/SAW/EXPERIENCED
DAY 1 (3/18/12)
          ∙ Time in port: 39 hours (overnight no. 6 of 9)
          ∙ We first toured this tiny, green country by coach (a 3-hour HAL tour)
          ∙ We saw the Business District, “Little India”, the “Arab Quarter” (or “Arab District”) and Chinatown
          ∙ We stopped at Raffles Hotel for photos and to peruse the gift shop, and from there set out for better photo opportunities on the hop-on-hop-off bus
          ∙ We even rode the Singapore Flyer – a huge Ferris wheel (the world’s largest “observation wheel”), which holds 28 people per car (and seats up to 14).  It reaches a height of 165 meters from the ground and offers panoramic views of the city and Marina Bay
          ∙ At night, we visited the Night Safari -- the world's first wildlife park built to be viewed at night, with 1,000 nocturnal animals -- on an open-air tram ride that weaves through the 98-acre enclosure
DAY 2 (3/19/12)
          ∙ Turns out, there's a Universal Studios-Singapore!  Having been to the original (in Hollywood) and Florida’s version (which is just as good, if not better in some ways), we just have to see Singapore’s version!  This is tomorrow’s destination . . . which we will reach via cable car to the small nearby island of Sentosa, after sleeping in of course (ha).

∙ THOUGHTS/IMPRESSIONS

          ∙ This island city has some things in common with other cities (the skyscrapers, millions of people living in a small space, heat and humidity).  But Singapore is special for a number of reasons.  Foremost are the trees and other plants.  It’s the greenest city I’ve ever seen.  I’ve seen green islands (e.g., Moorea), but never a city within a rainforest.  It’s beautiful!  Then, there’s the architecture.  This city features some of the most unique and/or colorful modern structures anywhere.  We heard much chatter, on and off the ship, about the strict “rules” and “fines” for, e.g., jaywalking, smoking in public, tossing gum or trash on the ground.  Between that and what I’d read, I feared this would be some kind of tyrannical state, where police follow you around and fine you if they smell smoke.  It wasn’t like that.  People did jaywalk, they did smoke, and there were pieces of trash on the ground . . . just not as much as you might find in another city.  They have a brilliant method of displaying the availability of parking spaces in nearby lots (e.g., “Suntec City” – “Lots Available 20”).
          ∙ A company called “Hippotours” operates the hop-on, hop-off (and other) tours and offers a package for $53 Singapore (even less in $U.S.) that includes a 24-hour pass on its “Original Tour”, “Yellow City Route” and “Red Heritage Route”.  Each takes about an hour.  Their double-decker busses have an air-conditioned lower level or an open-air upper level.  Upstairs, you can choose between the open sky or a covered section.  The breezes from up there are great, and the roof came in handy to help block the sun and rain.  It was a far superior way to see the city than riding in an enclosed bus (at a cost of $69U.S. each)  You can get unobstructed pictures, you can get off and back on at numerous sites along the way, and it’s just plain fun.  We did this in Sydney and loved it there, too.
          ∙ The $53 package included a ride on the Singapore Flyer, which was a big highlight of the day!  Even though it was raining and somewhat hazy, the views were stunning!  The cabins were solid, the wheel moved smoothly, and it wasn’t scary at all – except, perhaps, for the thunder and lightening storm that hit as we made our way around!
          ∙ The Night Safari was also worth the time.  We had our first “Singapore Slinger” (it’s really good)!  Actually, we had two!  Take the Wild Animal Park in San Diego; now put it in a lush green rainforest; add the sounds and smells of the jungle; and dim the lights so that it’s nighttime.  That’s the Night Safari.  The cost to enter is only $49.  We, stupidly, paid $94 each to take HAL’s tour there, because we’re “newbies” and didn’t know any better.  But some other shipmates whom we ran into at the park said they took the subway, paid the $49 entry fee and had more time to visit than we did.  (They learned from doing it the way we did last time they were here.)  There are many things like this that I’m learning as I go along – this is why sites like “Cruise Critic” exist, so people can share information on how to avoid paying too much for things like this.
          ∙ That’s it for now.  We’re off to Universal Studios, Singapore tomorrow!

THE ARCHITECTURE

THE CITY OF SINGAPORE

THE SINGAPORE FLYER

THE RAFFLES HOTEL

NIGHT SAFARI

SOME INTERESTING TID-BITS FROM SINGAPORE  . . .