Day 84 - Singapore

Day 84 – Friday April 2014 – Singapore

The Republic of Singapore is an island city-state, which lies 85 miles north of the Equator at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and is the smallest country in Southeast Asia, and one of the world’s greatest ports.

Singapore Old & New

We were alongside the new cruise terminal at 08.00 and had breakfast while we waited for the Immigration process to be completed, before being allowed ashore.

At 11.00 we went for the shuttle bus, but the queues had built up, and being able to see the city, we decided to walk there.  It was very hot and humid, as we made our way past various construction sites which are extending the port facilities.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel

A very impressive building is the latest hotel complex called the Marina Bay Sands Hotel which resembles three cricket stumps with the bails on the top.  The top linking piece contains a swimming pool, garden with palm trees, bars and restaurant, an amazing structure. 

This linked into a new marina park gardens with its newest glass buildings and features.

Marina Reservoir & Art Museum

After passing the hotel you begin to move into the city area where there is the old quayside, which has been turned into the marina reservoir, which has an art museum shaped like a lotus leaf.

Merlion

 

At the mouth of the Singapore River is the eight-metre high statue of the Merlion.  The Merlion is the tourist symbol of Singapore – a mythical beast half lion, half fish.

Cricket Ground

From here we walked up past the old preserved buildings of the Fullerton Hotel, National Art Gallery, Supreme Court and St. Andrew’s Cathedral.  Strolling through the parks you pass by the Cenotaph and the War Memorial Park.

We headed down into the City Hall, M.R.T. (mass rapid transit) modern air-conditioned railway system which is a very convenient, clean and safe way to travel around Singapore either underground of above.  We obtained a two day travel pass which could also be used on the buses.

Raffles Hotel

After obtaining the pass we headed a short distance away to the Raffles Hotel.

This elegant, world-famous hotel has seen royalty, film stars, world leaders and famous authors over the years.  It has now been completely restored to its former glory.  Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, it stands on Beach Road in the heart of the city.

Singapore Sling

This was another one on my must do list, and sat on a stool in the Long Bar with my very expensive Singapore Sling (£15) eating the free peanuts, which you have to shell and the empty shells are discarded on the floor.

This is only place in Singapore, where you do not get fined for throwing litter on the floor.  I really soaked up the history and the atmosphere, and I was as happy, as a sand boy.

We left Raffles and went back to the City Hall underground station, boarded a train for eight stops and changed to another line and three stations later ended up at the Botanical Gardens.  It covers 52 hectares, and it is here the Malayan rubber industry began.  The gardens combine both primary jungle and manicured gardens which are beautifully laid out.

Botanical Gardens

In the hot, humid conditions we could see the thunderstorm building, as we made our way along the paths to the Orchid Garden, but before reaching this sanctuary, the heavens opened and the rain lashed down. In these parts, these storms are an almost daily occurrence and last only for a short while, but not this one.

Orchids

Orchids

     

In a lull in the storm we made it to the orchid garden and we were not disappointed.

The displays, lay out of the paths, flowers in bloom, the foliage were all magnificent.

It was a pleasure walking around and luckily at the top of the garden is Burkhill Hall, where once more had to take shelter, as the rain lashed down.

Within the hall there is information on how the garden was originally laid out, how the orchids are propagated and mass produced, when they have the right one.  A VIP section showing photographs of the many orchids named after royalty and the famous, which are all on display, flowering outside of the hall.

Water Feature

There are fountains, ponds, waterfalls all intermingled with the displays, the architects of this place, have been far the best I have ever seen, as every which way you turn, there is something different and to wonder at. 

    

In an area, aptly called the wet garden, which is covered with a green fine mesh, there is an abundance of orchids, and I have never seen so much variety in such a small area and absolutely stunning.

Of course, time was of the essence and we had to move on, and left the orchid garden heading out of the rear entrance of the Botanical Gardens, and back to a main road with a bus stop.  We were about four miles from the city centre and the No.174 bus took us back to City Hall via the main road in Singapore, Orchard Road.

I had been informed by my nephew, to visit the Stamford Hotel, not far from City Hall and the New Asia Bar situated on the 71^st floor and the times of happy hour.  We were in there for the appointed hour, and had fine views over the city in the evening light, enjoying our Tiger beer.

Walking back past the Fullerton Hotel and the Merlion, a laser show began at the Marina Reservoir, with lights coming from the top of the new Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the Arts Museum with the lights revolving round and concentrating on the reservoir waters.  There were lots of people around all enjoying this spectacular display, which lasted about fifteen minutes.

This finished things of nicely, as we headed for a taxi and back to the ship.  It had been a long, very enjoyable, exciting day, in this most wonderful of cities.

 

  

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