worldaltem: Singapore, Singapore March 25 and 2, 2018

Singapore includes one main island and sixty-two islets located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. It is the world’s only island city-state. East India Company established in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. It has evolved from secluded backwater to shabby port city to sophisticated modern metropolis. Technology and economy are highly advanced and the city has many green parks and an amazing National Orchid Garden. The Marina Bay Sands offers a panoramic view of it all. The Sands Skypark is on the rooftops of three 57-story hotel towers and looks like a gigantic surfboard.

Singapore is among the smallest countries. Very diverse with many influences. Colonial District, Little India, Arab Street, Chinatown, etc. Colonial architecture nestled next to skyscrapers. Buddhist Temples. Arab bazaars. Great Sultan Mosque.

Singapore Odyssey 7 hours 9:00-3:00

Singapore’s Cultural Diversity Tour three very different eclectic neighborhoods. 30 min. drive to areas of interest. Visited Little India but the scents of spices and jasmine garlands and colorful displays of silver, brassware, rattan, wood carvings, and silken saris were not available because it was Monday and only a very few shops were open. It was like a ghost town. Went to Arab Street, the old center of Malay community which is now the place for opulent notions, textiles, lace, semiprecious stones, ostrich feathers, gold thread, bales silk and organza which also were not available because it was Monday and hardly any shops were open. Saw the Sultan Mosque, with its gold dome. Spent one hour at the Chinatown Heritage Center with three traditional shop houses, each level of the center takes you to a different period in Chinatown’s history. This was an excellent museum helping me to understand the crowded living conditions people survived in. Up to eight people may live in one small room. Visited the (supposed) historic Asia Market Cafe for lunch which was in a modern hotel and the cooked food was not hot. I ate very little. We were only a 15 minute drive from the ship and I have no idea why we had to eat at this cafe. This trip was a huge disappointment and not worth the money I paid to go on this excursion during the Viking Sun World Cruise, 2018.

Many skyscrapers

What looks like a surfboard or ship on the top of these three 55-story towers is the Marina Bay Sands Skypark. We went at night to enjoy viewing the Singapore skyline. The Marina Bay Sands is owned by the Las Vegas Sands and opened in 2010. Based on construction costs, it is the fourth most expensive building in the world. The world's largest rooftop pool at 150 meters long is on the Skypark.

Singapore skyline - the white building that looks like huge flower petals is the Art Science Museum and was inspired by the lotus flower.

Included Tour Singapore City Tour and National Orchid Garden 8:30-12:30

Singapore is a “City in a Garden”. Toured by bus, Singapore’s cultural and natural highlights. Visited Singapore Botanic Garden to find more than 1000 species of Orchids in the National Orchid Garden (UNESCO). So many beautiful flowers, I took tons of pictures. Futuristic skyscrapers and old Chinese shop houses, mosques and churches, shopping centers and clean, green parks that are a microcosm of Asia. Neighborhoods we passed through included; Chinatown, Little India, the Colonial District, and the Singapore River.

VIP orchid for Princess Diana. To build relations between nations, Singapore is naming orchids after people like the Prime Minister of Laos.

At the Bugis Village Night Market.

Chinatown at night.

We met these two girls near Arab St. in Singapore. They are from Indonesia. We told them we had been to Indonesia and they asked where we had been in Indonesia. Neither Kathy or I could answer the question. I've already been too many places to keep it all straight in my head.

These floral leis are used to decorate the shrines and temples.

Our new Indonesian friend on the porch of a restaurant near Arab St.

Singapore at night as seen during a boat ride on the Singapore River. Lovely.

National Orchid Garden walkway.

In the National Orchid Garden, many lovely varieties.

Singapore After Dark 3 hours 6:30-10:00

Panoramic HIghlights of the City by Night. Visited Bugis Village to explore the lively night market. Went through a “food court” with the guide. Walked the streets and took some pictures.

Thirty to forty minute riverboat ride on the Singapore River. Passed restored godowns (riverfront warehouses) contrasting with modern day skyscrapers in the financial district and colonial buildings. Nice reflections on the water. Saw the iconic half-fish, half lion statue of Singapore’s national symbol at Merlon Park. Visited the 650-foot high Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, a cantilevered observation deck for 35 to 45 minutes. Saw the laser light show at 9:00

Bugis Village Market, Singapore

Chinatown Shop House- businesses on the first floor with a 5-foot walking space in front. Many people lived in the rooms up above.

Chinatown Shop House

Chinatown

Spectra Laser Light Show from the Marina Bay Sands Skypark

This is a Little India Shop House.

These are Shop Houses in Little India.

Raffles, designed Singapore. He separated the town into three ethnic neighborhoods believing management of the community would be easier.

Sultan Mosque, with its gold dome near Arab St.

Shop Houses

Shop Houses near Arab St.

More Shop Houses, notice the skyscrapers in the background.

A room inside a Shop House. I could do a whole post on shop houses, but that will have to wait... These rooms were used to conduct business and for families to live in. These single rooms had multiple people in them. I don't know how they did it.