Singapore is an island country and the smallest in Southeast Asia. It is located off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It was colonized by the United Kingdom in the 19th century and occupied by the Japanese Empire in World War II. It has few natural resources so with foreign investment and rapid government-led industrialization, it has created an economy which relies on exports of electronics and manufacturing. Singapore has the highest standard of living in Asia.
This port was the first one where we were required to carry our passports and go thru a formal customs area. That was attached to a large shopping center, a bit like Hong Kong. We disembarked at about 8:30 and took a taxi to the Jurong Bird Park. Singapore has excellent public transportation using both buses and a subway, but we decided to just use taxis as our mode of transportation.
We bought a 3 park pass, good for the bird park, zoo and night safari. We first watched a show with trained eagles and hawks. It was OK. Then we boarded the monorail to see what is in the park. Our first stop was a huge aviary full of lories, bright red, yellow and blue birds. I purchased a small cup of nectar to feed the birds. They would sit on my hand or arm to drink out of the cup. One of them refused to leave and left deep marks on my finger. They were VERY cute and fun to watch up close. We then walked the path to see other birds in cages. I felt sorry for the bald eagle whose cage was hardly large enough for him to fly. The park was immaculate though, not even evidence of bird poop anywhere! They all seemed to be healthy and well cared for.
By this time it was raining. We grabbed a cab to the temple in Chinatown. The driver asked if we wanted to go to the Chinese or Hindu Temple. We weren't sure but when we saw one just said that was fine. It was a beautiful Hindu temple with ceramic animals and people all over the roof. Next to it was a street full of vendor booths with all the same items we had found in Hong Kong and Singapore. We shopped a bit then stopped in an outdoor restaurant for lunch. We had heard that Chili Crab is a Singapore specialty, so we ordered that as well as another dish. By the time our food arrived, it was pouring rain. We were safely under an awning, but we saw several tour groups traipse by with ponchos on. Looked like an uncomfortable way to see the city.
After lunch we shopped a bit more then grabbed a cab to the Raffles Hotel. It was in that hotel where the original Singapore Sling drink was created. It was built in the 1800's and added on to since then. it is a grand old hotel. We went to the Long Bar to have a drink. It was PACKED, many from our ship. We were invited to share a table since there were none available. They had ordered a snack tray which was served on a tower, looked nice. Peanuts were served and there were shells all over the floor. The drink was excellent, with little alcohol taste and made with fresh pineapple juice. After our (my) drink, we walked around the hotel a bit. There was a nice little museum on the third floor. Turns out that one of the main ingredients in a Singapore Sling is Cherry Herring. That brought back a lot of memories! I'd traveled to Denmark with a friend when I was 16. We were introduced to Cherry Herring, a wonderful cherry liquor, created by Peter Herring, and each of us brought a bottle back home with us. At customs they weren't quite sure what to do about 2 16 yr olds carrying booze! They kindly took it from us and gave it to our parents who were waiting on the other side of the door. That wouldn't happen these days!
We shopped in the hotel then got a taxi to a market area we'd heard about called Bugis Street. We went thru about 1/2 a block and decided to get the heck out of there. It was full of clothing for young people and was FULL of young people! Not the type of shopping we were looking for. It was getting late, so we got yet another taxi to take us to the Zoo. Unfortunately we were headed there, on the other side of the island, at about 5:00 and it was bumper to bumper. By the time we arrived, it was 5:45, the zoo closed at 6. They told us we couldn't go in. I asked if we could at least visit the store which was inside the gate. We went into the store, went out the other side. There were still a lot of people coming out of the park, so we figured we were OK as long as we weren't the last people there. We were able to see some lemurs walking on a rope over our heads and watched some small otters running around chirping at each other. That park was also immaculately clean.
The Night Safari which was right next to the zoo, was set up to give visitors an opportunity to see nocturnal animals out and about. We boarded a tram and rode around for almost 45 minutes. It was a big park! Only disadvantage was you couldn't get pictures because of the dark. But they had a large variety of animals from tiny deer to rhinos. After the tram ride we went to an animal show. They had lemurs walking on a rope above our heads, a coyote who was supposed to come out on a rock and howl. Poor thing let out a wimpy "oooo", very cute. They were "missing" Molly, who ended up being a python, hidden in a box under the floor of the row behind us. They had a short talk about the importance of recycling and brought out otters who put paper, cans and bottles in the correct recycling bins. Nice to see that other countries are doing the education.
We had a nice discussion with the lady cab driver who drove us back to the ship. She referred Singapore as a FINE city - they fine you for chewing gum, for spitting, for U turns, you name it. Guess why that is why it is so safe and clean. The shops were still open back at the pier. We went to a grocery store and bought a sauce to make Chili Crab when we get home as well as a Ginger Beer, made in Australia. That was good! There was a line to get thru customs, so when we finally boarded the ship, it was 10:20. All aboard was at 10:30, guess we just made it and used every minute available to enjoy Singapore.
Since we were still up and about, we decided to go to sail away in the Crows Nest, the 9th level bar toward the bow of the ship. We ran into some friends up there. I decided I should try one of their Singapore Slings to see the difference from the "real" one. I must say, the ship's version was a LOT stronger! Wasn't as good either. We went outside to watch the lights as we sailed thru the straights between Malaysia and Indonesia. We were sailing for almost an hour while passing refinery after refinery. I asked Mel if one of the flare ups was the Olympic Torch. Actually I asked him that 3 times, just so he would really think I was drunk. Wasn't far from the truth. We didn't get to bed until after 1, a very late night for us! I was wishing I'd stuck to one Singapore Sling the next morning.
Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less.
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