Singapore

[Michele Monro]

Welcome to Singapore – the city of colours, cultures, cuisine and contrasts. A wealth of attractions and a warm welcome await everyone in one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the world. Singapore lies 85 miles north of the Equator at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the most southerly part of Asia. Within its 227 square miles lives a population of around 3.8 million and its position on the main trade routes from Europe to South Asia and the Far East has meant that Singapore has become the commercial capitol of south east Asia. Its multi-cultural mixture means that Singapore has a blend of unique traditions, remarkable cuisine and varied costumes – the street scene is one of the most colourful and international in the world and is symbolic of the secret of the city’s development.

There were so many things I wanted to see here that I ended up booking two tours. The first was ‘Scenic Singapore’ with three different ways of seeing the city, bus, boat and the equivalent of our London Eye. Getting off the ship proved a challenge in itself, as there were about 700 people disembarking, the same amount getting on as well as a 1000 on tours. We were also docked at the terminal, which handles freight, as we are too large to come into the passenger terminal. It seems we are too tall and there is a good possibility of us hitting the wires to the cable car system so we were really stuck out in the docks. It was a bummer because it was an extra 45 minutes to get to the commercial centre.

Our bus drove us through the city centre into the Civic District passing by the Supreme Court, City Hall and Raffles Hotel. On arrival at the Singapore Flyer, the world’s tallest observatory. I boarded the scenic capsule for a visual 360 degree panorama of iconic and historical landmarks such as Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlin Park and Express Place as well as the nearby Indonesian Riau Islands and Johor Malaysia. What a fabulous experience. It’s not normally something I would have done but I’m so thankful I did. Rejoining the bus we passed through the bustling area of Chinatown where we saw the Thian Hock Kheng Temple, one of the oldest Chinese temples in Singapore and the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple, built by the first Indians that settled in Singapore in the 1820s.

Next we arrived at Raffles landing sire, where Sir Stamford Raffles first set foot on the island and we boarded a ‘bumboat’ for our river cruise. I saw the magnificent colonial government building that reflects the city’s colonial heritage, Century Old ‘shophouses’ restored to their original grandeur, decorated old bridges of diverse designs and the modern skyscrapers, which dominate the vast skyline. We finally disembarked at Clarke Quay and then drove along Orchard Road, the famous shopping street before returning to the ship. It was just as well there wasn’t time for a stop here because shops and me are a dangerous combination.

I didn’t have long to rush back to my cabin and change for the second half of my outing - this time round I’d booked ‘Nostalgic Night’ which made me laugh as it ran from 3.00pm-6.00pm. It was actually a shame that the city wasn’t lit up like a Christmas tree but beggars can’t be choosers. First stop the world-renowned Raffles Hotel, which we’d only passed this morning for one of their signature drinks, the Singapore Sling. The hotel was stunning and costs about $2000 a night except when the Grand Prix is on, then it jumps to $7.000 a night but that is without breakfast and the big con is that you have to stay a minimum of seven nights. Ouch

Next we climbed on board our own personal one-man Trishaw (3 wheel cycle), you definitely have to have eaten 3 Weetabix to ride people around the city. This was an unforgettable ride through Little India. It was a stroke of luck that our trip coincided with their Taipusam Festival. The streets had been cordoned off and yellow barriers erected to keep the spectators contained. Trishaws are rarely seen anymore because the younger generation have not followed in their father’s occupation and it has become a dying tradition but because our tour had been arranged several months ago and was limited to 36 people we had the run of the streets, which gave us a bird’s eye view of the colourful processions. Taipusam is a Hindu Festival celebrated by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Thai month of Thai. On the day of the festival, devotees shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). At its simplest this entails carrying a pot of milk, but like today, mortification of the flesh is carried out. This involves piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers. The simplest kavadi is a semicircular decorated canopy supported by a wooden rod that is carried on the shoulders, to the temple. In addition some had a spear through their tongue and cheeks while others had hooks stuck in their back and were either pulled by another of the tribe walking behind, or hung from a decorated bullock cart, with the point of incisions of the hooks varying the levels of pain. The greater the pain the more God-earned merit. Today they started the procession at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in the early morning and travelled 4 kilometers before finishing at the Tank Road Temple. It was one of he most sadistic things I’ve ever witnessed but fascinating at the same time.

The last part of our adventure was a visit to Pasar Malam otherwise known as Bugis Street Night Market. Here the atmosphere was filled with the aroma of durian fruit and incense wafting from the various Buddhist shrines. Once a notorious haunt for sailors on leave from their ships, Bugis still retains its charm with a real south east Asian style of market place. I was rubbing shoulders with locals and tourists alike as I browsed through hundreds of stalls with bargains everywhere. I don’t think there was anything they weren’t selling.

As most of you will know it was dad’s 27th anniversary today and I am really thrilled that I could see it at a place he knew and loved. The Philippines was definitely his favourite but Hong Kong and Singapore were very close behind.
We now have a day at sea which I am grateful for as I have been suffering from a throat infection for several days now and have had o succumb to antibiotics but there was no way I was going to miss out on Singapore. Next stop is Sihanoukville in Cambodia and if I d have to miss that stop it won’t be the end of the world but fingers crossed.

Stay safe and thanks for all your wonderful words of support

[Eman]

Hey Michele, nice to hear you are enjoying the Far East. Did you get a chance to try the Durian fruit? When you open it, it smells really foul and vile, but the fruit is ok! The first time I tried one was in 1977 when we moved to Manila and I hurled at the smell.

[Marian]

Hi Michele,
So pleased you enjoyed Singapore, Dad's one of your favourites .
We didn't forget him on the forum on his 27th anniversary.

[karl]

I ended my recent trip with a few nights stopover in Singapore having last been there in 1993, the people are friendly there and I enjoy being there.
I walked by Raffles as my hotel was not too far from there, however a Singapore Sling was double the price in Raffles from my hotel and I enjoyed the one I had there.

You have already been to Dubai Michele, that was my stopover at the start of my trip so it's good to see you spending time in places I was in just a few months ago.

Keep enjoying your cruise and get rid of that throat bug, port is good for the throat so have a few at the ships bar!

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Great story again Michele and what lovely experiences. It all sounds wonderful.
We are keeping up to date with the clips on Facebook.
Hope your throat soon clears up, and you'll be able to enjoy what's to come all the more.

[Terence Lee]

I hate it when celebrities use the word "amazing" to describe winning an award, etc but it is a word which I must use now. I have been to Singapore countless times since it is only an hour by flight from where I live. But Michele, it is AMAZING that you have seen more of Singapore in just 2 days than what I have seen so far in all my trips there! I think it is because I always only go there to shop. Pity you missed out on the Orchard Road shopping experience!

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Terence I'm with you on this. I think the word AMAZING which I have always thought to be something that surprises or is unusually spectacular, ( although I definitely agree with your comments in Micheles case,) must be the most used word in our vocabulary today. Drives me nuts.

[mariana44]

My brother and his family lived in Singapore for many years--way back-he was in the Navy, so wa stationed out there. I can imagine how everything has changed since he was there.

Michele, it is just like a whirlwind, reading about all the exoeic places you have been to, and the fantastic sights--all in your first month of your cruise. Lots more for you to see and do--hope the throat improves soon--it is no fun feeling poorly when you are away--I had 10 days in Toronto, and completely lost my voice etc etc etc.

[maureen & harry]

Another great report. Singapore sounds a fantastic place and you seem to have packed a lot into your time there.

Hope your throat infection has now cleared up.

[Rob H]

Watching your progress on facebook. Enjoy your next leg of the journey. Trying to twist Gwynneth's arm in going on the Fans Reunited @ Sea gathering, she would love Norway! Niamh is looking at Scandinavian Studies at Edinburgh University as one of her options! Best Wishes Rob

[Marian]

I was pleased to read your 'spotlight on' this month Rob. Well done!

[karl]

Lena & Harry, just curious as to your dislike of the word Amazing - so what word would you use to descrdibe something?

I have travelled extensively and believe me some places are truly amazing!

Sayings I dislike are "At The End Of The Day", "At This Point In Time" and the most pretentious of all "Good To Have You On Board", I always want to reply "Aye Aye Captain"!

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Karl, I don't dislike the word amazing, I just feel that in many cases there are adjectives that would be more fitting. I don't recall hearing or using this word as much as it's used today, perhaps this has been beneficial for many because for the want of a word, it doesn't take a lot of brain power or thinking about We've used lots of other suitable descriptions in the past, unless of course nothing very much was amazing in those days gone by.

[karl]

Oh you would make a great politician as you said a lot but still never answered my question. I am interested to know what you would say instead of amazing, your lack of reply totally AMAZES me.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Karl, there is no One specific word that can replace the word amazing.
The description depends on the subject, person, article. etc.
If you are not sure, I could supply a list of adjectives, trust me, there are quite a few, apart from AMAZING that is. Case closed