Southeast Asia Trip – Singapore – January 18-22/18

Long flight from San Francisco got us to Singapore in the morning of the 18th. Our hotel was not available, so we spent the day walking around downtown and the waterfrontSingapore, as you can see is a very metropolitan city. The Merlion, symbolizes Singapore as a “lion city”, so named by a Sumatran prince, who upon landing here spotted a lion in the 14th century.

 

Singapore is an extremely clean city and big penalties for jaywalking, littering and even spitting on the sidewalk. Not as big as getting caught bringing drugs into the country though, as that is hanging! Temperature was 32 decrees and very humid so finding a place that served Tiger Beer was imperative for lunch. Went to Raffles Hotel so we could buy an original Singapore sling for $18, was on our hit list but unfortunately the hotel was closed down for renovations. Singapore is all about shopping as there are a ton of shopping malls, but very few bargains. Anyways jet lag got us to bed at 2:30 PM to get ready for the next day.

Up at 2:00 AM, as our clocks are way off. Our tour today takes us to Palau Ubin, which is an island just northeast of Singapore, that is accessible by a short ferry ride. The island has many granite quarries that are inactive now so only a few hundred people live there now and the island is mainly used for tourism. Lots of natural flora and fauna and bike paths. That is why we are here, is to bike the island.Some of the local bikers and animals that we spotted

This guy looks like a rooster, sounds like a rooster, but is not a rooster. You hear him in the bush but seldom see him.

Of course, they sell stuff, souvenirs and such, but local fruit as well.The Durion is a local fruit that only the locals eat. When you come within 10 feet of it you can detect the stench. So bad that public transportation bans it. The other red fruit with barbs is very tasty and is called rambutan or hairy fruit, duh! You peal off the outer skin to reveal a small melon like fruit that is sweet.

Dave Chevalier and his friend Cathy were in Singapore at that time and we hooked up with them that evening for dinner at the Marina Sands hotel which is a huge resort that opened in 2010 and was billed as the world’s most expensive standalone casino property at S$8 billion and houses 2500 rooms and 1600 slot machines. The complex has 3 towers of 55 stories capped by a huge boatlike structure with restaurants, infinity pool and outstanding views.

The next couple of days were spent in Singapore with the local guide that we hired for the four of us. He took us to see the public housing that is provided by the government, at a dear cost, but they control much of it and there are hundreds of high rises as evidence, in fact, entire neighbourhoods c/w amenities such as recreation, grocery stores and public places to meet. The government also controls the transportation by charging as much as $70k for a permit to buy a car. You pay for the car above that and the permit only lasts 10 years and you have to reapply, and they grant you another one. They want to control the # of vehicles on the road. The business here of banking etc. has much affluence and results in one of the most vibrant economies in the world with a GDP that is the 3rd highest in the world per capital. The government claims to be elected but you have to vote for the Unitary party when voting and secret ballots are logged to ensure you vote the right way. So they have had the same government for decades. Population is 5.6 million comprised of Chinese(74%), Malay(13%), Indian(9%) and others. Many religions with Buddhism comprising 33% of the populationWe went to many temples such as this Taoist temple that people will visit every day

Inside the Botanical Gardens that are several levels and two buildings are unbelievableThis is the stack from the underground power plant that supplies the power to the botanical gardens and surrounding grounds.Here are some pillows in a local store that Marg wanted to buy!Stopped at a small local kitchen where they made us spring rolls on an open skillet, very yummy. Apparently these family is very famous here for their productA traditional Peranakan Chinese wedding bed.

We spent a day at the zoo here that was, as usual for this city, of the utmost to quality. You are very close to the animals.

Off to a Buddhist temple and we saw lots of them. You had to have covered shoulders and long pants to go in. At 32 degrees and 80% humidity, not fun. We saw standing Buddha’s, walking Buddha’s, laying Buddha’s, sitting Buddha’s, etc.So, this Guy is 5500 pounds and gold right now is 1300US per ounce. That would make this guy worth many millions