Singapore

Friday April 11th found us docked in Singapore.  We were up early to swim but only for 45 minutes as we had a tour that gathered at 8:45 am.  Breakfast at La Veranda and then got our stuff together for our tour.  We were doing "Singapore's Iconic Tour".

We drove to the Colonial District of Singapore.  Here we walked down to the river to view the sights.

These next few pictures will give you an idea of the skyline of Singapore.  As a city, they have tried to have some green space.  And they have done a good job, IMO.

It is finally spring and some of the tress were in bloom.

Lots of tall sky scrapers.  Of all different styles.

I found this one unique.

We walked to the river and this is the newest project.  It is a hotel with a casino on the "surfboard".  Also up there is a pool and some restaurants.  And the hotel has been full since it opened.

The following pictures are up close of the "surfboard".

Not sure where the pool is or the casino.

I am not so sure I would like swimming up this high.

And Singapore is a very clean city.  This was our walk under a bridge.  Notice, no trash.

This is an art museum.  Was suppose to look like two hands but it looks like the fingers got broken.

And the Chinese like Fung Shay.(I know that is not spelled correctly).  So that means they build buildings with space for the dragon to pass through.

The Princess Ship was also here.  Not sure which one but they docked right down town.

They have this field where they play soccer or have parades.  The white church is St. Andrew's Cathedral.  Singapore was once a British colony thus the anglican influence.

This is one of the original building built during colonial times.

At the end of the field is the Cricket Club.  Reminded me of the Merion Cricket Club.

Next we went to the Thian Hock Keng Temple for a visit.

Bob took these pictures so that you can read about the history of the Temple.

The history continues.

The outside of the temple.  We could not take pictures inside.

This altar is behind the actual temple.

And the arch way to the front.

The Chinese love the dragon.   So here he is on the roof of the Temple.

Then to the Clarke Quay for a riverboat ride.

As were leaving the Quay, this is the look back.

This building used to be a police station and residence.  I love all the different colored windows.

This round object is the new Supreme Court.  In Singapore they still hang especially for drugs.

And this is the old with the new behind.  Now it is a area for restaurants, etc.

More of the views from the boat.

This wheel used to be the tallest but now Las Vegas has built one about 2 meters taller.

The Lion is the symbol of the city.

Finally to Arab Street and a photo stop at the Sultan Mosque and the Governor's Residence.

I would have loved to shop on this street  but we only walked up to the Mosque and then left.

I think it is the only Mosque in Singapore.

And finally to the Raffles Hotel.

Pun Jab (I think he looks like the guy from Annie.  He is like a door man.

A little history of the long bar.

Inside the long bar.

We were treated to a Singapore Sling.  Mostly fruit juice.

The court yard of the hotel.  Only hotel guests are allowed in the lobby.

Back to the ship but we decided to shop some at the mall next to the terminal.  Bob is tired of the four shirts he brought for this trip so he bought two more.  And I bought a pair of gauze white crop pants.

Lunch at the pool grill and then a short nap.

I cleaned up for dinner and went down to the computer room in order to print the IRS documents we need in order to file our tax return.  I thought we had taken care of this in January.  But no.  Oh well again.  Finally able to do this.  Now we have to sign the pages and try and get them back to Betty before the 15th.

A cocktail party for those in the Signatures Group.  That includes us because Brown and Keene are members of Signatures.  Talked with Ellie who lost her passport in Bangkok.  What an ordeal.  But now everything is fine.  Got an emergency passport in Bangkok from the American Embassy and today got an India Visa from the India Consulate.  But she had to pay again for it.

Dinner in Compass Rose where I had a chicken dish that was served with a hockey puck of noodles.  So hard you could not cut them.  Saves on the calories going in.

Back to the suite where I am finishing watching "Dallas Buyers Club".  This was an interesting movie.
A shame it is true.