We had dinner as we cruised off the Kamchatka peninsula. We passed down the eastern side of Japan. We got tired again and slept till we passed Manila.
The let-down and landing at Changi International was well done - threading through the tropical clouds.
The airport is exceptionally well organized and easy to pass through. No problems with immigration. View of International Arrivals hall at right.
We took a taxi to the Four Points by Sheraton (Marriott). The driver was swift but we got there. Check-in went well, now in room 1714 with a view over Chinatown.
We went to the lounge for a glass and found the big Formula One Singapore race on TV. Didn't watch it, just had our drink and returned to the room.
Turned out the lights and said good night.
Link to Google Maps of Singapore
1 May Singapore - - - National Holiday (Labour Day)
Somehow we always manage to arrive on a holiday. We'll have to see what's open and what is not. So we checked with the concierge. He says all attractions will be open, and highway traffic reduced for the holiday. Hmmm.. So we took a walk down one side of the river, back up the other side, and onto the street to get back. Lots of kids, dogs, bikers, etc.
Hot. Just plain hot. No breeze. Temp is 90*, feels like 100+.
We came back to the room where it's cool to plan something. Vacated while housekeeping did the room.
There's an Interesting hotel (Warehouse) on the river walk. Plaque says it was an opium warehouse during the trade in that item in colonial days.
River walk picture at left.
We started planning things to see, then realized that we're both still out of shape in hot weather and screwed up due to body time problems. So we planned but didn't do.
After a while we went out for a late lunch or whatever at 1500 local. Found a place called TAP on the other side of the river. Lunch came to $96SG, or about $80US. Prices are high here in the tourist district. Bought goodies at a convenience store and took them to the room.
Around 2000 we couldn't keep our eyes open, so we went to bed. This time-change of 12 hours really hits you.
2 May Tuesday
Finally up at 0700. Got ready. Went on-line to get HOHO tickets, single day, $77SG. Walked the overpass to the other side of the 8-lane street to the bus stop. About 0926 the Yellow Line Big Bus came to our stop (y8). We took seats topside aft under a screen (good move, Bus).
We wandered out to the Botanic Gardens then through Little India back toward downtown. We stopped at the Suntec Center, the changing point for the Red Line. We hopped over to the Red Line. In a bit, it took off, mainly running around the downtown and financial sections. You can sort of follow along by looking at the day's photos, and the map link is down the page.
We returned to the Suntec Center. We went into this massive center and were directed to a Watson's store and pharmacy. Picked up the tropical strength bug repellent (Off!!) we were advised to get and some probiotics.
We spotted a Shake Shack so we went in. Hamburgers, chicken, fries, shake, coke. Satisfied *that* desire.
Back outside to join the Yellow Line tour, in order to see the first seven stops before our starting point, and to get back to the hotel. We found "Happy Harry's" tailor shop on the way (picture at right). Both of our tails were weary of the hard seats and diesel engine vibration, plus the street potholes. We walked back over the overpass and up to our room. Hotter now than this morning. Hot.
There, we collapsed.
Link to HOHO route map
Later we crossed over the river to Beast & Butterflies for a libation. At dusk, with a nice breeze, it's nice to sit out and watch the city's lights come on, and to watch the people doing things. Lots of dogs on leashes being walked - no loose mutts.
O Photo Link
We headed out by taxi fairly early to do the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome at the park called Gardens By The Bay. Fantastic structures, both of them. We did Flower Dome first; it had an exhibit of tulips in addition to all the usual exhibits from all around the world. A representative picture of the tulips is at left. Little statues partially hidden in the greenery were fun to spot.
After Flower Dome, we did the Cloud Forest, which has a very high indoor waterfall. You proceed to the top of the indoor mountain and work your way down through exhibits and signs. The signs are a bit "teachy" on the climate change subject but overall good. I'll divide O's photos into the two buildings.
O Photo Link - Flower Dome
O Photo Link - Cloud Forest
Of course, both attractions end in the gift shop. D got a tee shirt and her pin, O got a collar shirt with Singapore on it.
We ended this at another Shake Shack, then returned to the room to do computer chores and to rest our backs - slow walking and standing are hard on us advanced middle-aged persons.
This might be a good place to give you some general information on Singapore; follow this link.
We watched from the room as a shower went past - rain falling straight down. Breezes seem to be hard to find around here - the air has been quite still.
Later, we went out for dinner. Boomerang's is across the river by footbridge then along the bank downstream. It's an Aussie-imitating joint, but when I asked for Cooper's, the real Aussie ale, they didn't have any. Humph. But still, D had a good half-chicken while O had a decent bangers-and-mash.
Then we hiked back, remarking that all the fitness people came out at dusk to do their running. We turned in at Four Points and O hooked his foot on the irregular-shaped stones sidewalk. No real damage, but we found one knee bleeding when we got to the room. D cleaned it up and put on large-size band-aids to cover the wound. Probably will hurt in the morning. Embarrassing. Humph.
4 May Thursday Singapore
O was right - he hurts this morning but the thumb he sprained is worse than the cuts. Tylenol time.
We're seeing notes on Cruise Critic from some on our cruise that they are arriving in Singapore.
Preparing to walk up to a shopping center to see what's in it. Also need a small scissor and nail clippers to replace those we forgot.
So we did that. A hike upriver on the other side through Kim Seng Park to Great World. This is a four-level shopping center under condos and offices, and there are two parking levels below that. The -1 level has a huge supermarket with every option you can think of. We didn't compare prices but certainly all we need was present.
Also on that level was the Watson's drug store where we purchased the scissors and clippers plus some other stuff. We looked briefly at the ground floor but saw the place was bigger than we wanted to explore, especially when we don't need anything.
So we hiked back to the hotel, to the lounge, and had a glass while wondering what to do next. We decided on a light meal in the Eatery so we can have something heavier later. We had a one-dish meal, chicken for D, pork for O. While we were eating on the veranda, the rain promised by the waitress came along.
Just like a Key West shower, it rained like mad but with defined edges to it. It looked like the far side of the river wasn't getting any, but after a bit we all got a good dousing.
Then we returned to the room to rest.
We started packing for boarding tomorrow. Did some computer chores.
Then we discovered we weren't hungry. Decided to eat the few cookies still in the room and have a big breakfast tomorrow.
Photo Link (few)
Last day in Singapore. So we'll go slow and pack in the morning, then check out about noon to go to the Harbourfront Cruise Terminal. Supposed to board between 1430 and 1545. We'll cruise the shopping center next to the terminal until boarding. A cruise website shows the ship has arrived.
We started the day with buffet breakfast in the dining room. Paid cash to reduce SGD and not take much with us. Since everybody here takes cards, we need not have bought so much SGD, but how do you know ahead of time?
Now it's time to flip to the next page….
