DAY 81---SINGAPORE

 

                             We docked in Singapore this morning and will be here two days.

Historical/Background Info:

       This is our 4th visit to Singapore as we were here in 2010, 2013, and 2017.  It is a small island-city-state off the southern Malaysian Peninsula.  In fact it is one of the 20 smallest countries counties in the world, being just 20 x 40 miles in size.  Just over 4 million people live here with 80% of them living in high rise apartment buildings as there is no other option.  50% are Hindu with the rest being Muslim, Catholic, and Christian.  Interestingly, each of the apartment buildings have to all four religions living in them in certain proportions.   Singapore was a British colony from 1824 until it gained its independence in 1965 and is now the Republic of Singapore.  The early immigrants to Singapore back in early 1800's were Chinese who worked as coolies on docks.  Later Indians came. There is very little crime here as punishments are very harsh.  For example, bringing drugs into the country and armed robbery are hanging offenses.  There is no land for agriculture so all their foodstuffs are imported daily, mostly from Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.  Fish and meat is also very fresh and brought in from nearby countries.  In 2010 we visited the WWII war cemetery of Kranji.  What an impressive memorial it is!!  The Japanese invaded Singapore in Feb 1941 and the British were forced to surrender 7 days later.  2,000 Indian, British, Australian, and Malaysian soldiers were killed and 80,000 were taken prisoner of war.  The POW camp was a hellacious place.  The Japanese tortured, starved, and used the POW’s as laborers.  Sadly, only 6,000 of the 80,000 POW’s survived their 3 ½ years in captivity before being liberated by American and Australian forces.
        Today, Singapore is a global commerce, finance, and transportation hub.  There port here is the 5th busiest port in the world.  Believe it or not, Singapore’s military is the most technologically advanced in Southeast Asia.  One of every $4 of government spending is on their military and EVERY able bodied 18 year old male has to serve.   Women are also allowed to serve.  Singapore has the world’s highest percentage of millionaires, with one out of every 6 households with at least one million US dollars in disposable wealth.

LAST EVENING

  

The Krew Kappers (crew) show was great!!

 

                                 Christopher from the deck department was a great singer.

                   Olla from the restaurant department was very sensuous and fantastic dancer.

                                                           Traditional Philippino dance.

                                                                            "Elvis"

                                                 We both had escargots as our starters.

                                   Panko crusted shrimp for our entrees was fantastic.

                               Pecan cheese cake is one of my favs but I only ate half.

Photos from tonight's production show.  It was AMAZING.  The cast put this show together themselves and it was absolutely fantastic.  This cast is soooooo talented.  We loved it!!!

TODAY

Huge cargo port

                                                                  Harbor View Towers

Harbor View Towers

                                          Walk and bike bridge with marina on the other side.

                                            Tug helping the ship do a 180 degree turn at pier.

                                                                     Cable car tower

            Harbor Front Tower--The cable cars have a station here then continue on out other side.

                                                                                Pier

                                            Cruise Terminal.  There is a mall on the other side. 

We both went on this tour today that departed at 10:15.  We first had to go through Singapore immigration in the cruise terminal.  We had to show our passports, be photographed, and thumb printed.

                                                      Nice bus and not many in it with us.

                                                                All these are high rise apartments

                                    All this was not here 58 years ago according to our guide.

                                                            They call it Singapore Flyer

     This is the Marina Bay Sands.  A 2600 room hotel with shopping in front of it along the bay.

                                              Our first stop was here.  Good spot for photos.

                                    Better shot of the Marina Bay Sands with shopping below.

                      This lion head represents what Singapore is called "The Lion City"

                  These blue colored high rise buildings are the Marina Bay Financial Center.

                           The hand shaped looking thing across the bay is a museum.

Our guide, Kim, about to lead us through the old colonial period buildings of the British.  Singapore did not gain independence from Britain until 1965.

                                               Anderson Bridge across the Singapore River.

                                                                  Singapore River

Victoria Theater on the left side of the clock tower and Victoria Memorial Hall on the right side.

                                                       Asian Civilizations Museum

                                        Above two photos of the National Gallery Singapore

Same as above two.

                                                                   One of many malls

National Museum

Only university on Singapore

                                                           Little India drive through.

        All the two story old buildings are called Store Houses.  Not destroyed by WWII

                                                                           A Mosque

                                                             Entering the Malaysian area

                                                                        Oman Gate

         Opposite the bay is seating (colors) for productions they do in the bay, ie, Independence Day.

                                                             Entering China Town.

                                             Temple that is relatively new one.  Good toilets!

                                                                  Entry to a huge market.

                                                                     Checkers players

                                                                      Inside the temple.

                                      Our guide said they were betting on the checkers game.

                                                          Photos of the China Town market

                                                           Back across the Singapore River

                                   Where we will be this evening for our special WC venue.

        We did not get back from our tour until after 2pm.  I uploaded my photos via cruise terminal internet before boarding.  Immigration going off and back on the ship is a pain in the ass.  Never had this kind of harassment anywhere in the world.

        I was busy putting today's photos on the post and adding captions.  I did not finish with the captions as had to shower and get ready for our special WC dining event off the ship.  We left at 4:20 to head off the ship and get through immigration (AGAIN) as was to be transferred to the venue at 5pm.  We were on one of the first buses to the venue.  Photos and description of it on tomorrow's post.  It is not 10pm as I finish this post.  Bed time for sure as a long day.  I have a tour tomorrow at 10am.