Day 42 – Singapore, Day 1

Singapore is an island country in Southeast Asia. It comprises one principal island plus 64 satellite islands. The country’s land mass is only 287 sq miles but it has a population of a whopping 6 million and has the highest GDP per capita in the world. It is one of the world’s major aviation, financial and shipping hubs. It has a very high standard of living, although it also has a very high cost of living.

Singapore gained independence from the British in 1946. During the 1960s it merged with Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak to form the new Federation of Malaysia. Indonesia was strongly opposed to the merger and carried out numerous acts of violent sabotage in response. To make matters worse the semi autonomous Singapore government and the central Malaysian government could not agree on many political and economic issues and ultimately Singapore was expelled from the alliance and gained full independence in August 1965. Since then it has developed into a highly successful society and an economic powerhouse.

This morning we took the shuttle bus to the shopping mall at Marina Bay Sands Hotel. To say it is ‘high-end’ is an understatement; we have never seen so many top designer stores contained within such space age glitzy architecture. Needless to say there was no point whatsoever in us venturing into any of these outlets with their window displays of $10,000 dresses and $5000 shoes, so we set off for the Gardens by the Bay complex across the road, accessed by an exceptionally vertiginous escalator and numerous eye-wateringly high walkways. After this somewhat stressful venture (Bridget cannot deal with heights at all!) we reached the tranquil oasis of the gardens. Whilst here we also visited the undercover Cloud Forest, the Flower Dome and Super Tree Grove, although we kept well clear of the numerous very high elevated walkways! It was all exceptionally impressive from a horticultural perspective and provides a much needed green space in a city that is otherwise virtually all concrete, steel and glass.

After two hours at the gardens we took a taxi to Clark Quay, a pleasant riverside pedestrian area with lots of eateries and shops, where we stopped at an exceptional little restaurant called the Incredi Bowl for lunch. We then walked from Clark Quay to Chinatown where we enjoyed browsing in the copious little shops and generally enjoying the atmosphere. By now, having walked some six miles, we decided to head back to the ship for a rest and a cup of tea. This evening we set off to the Long Bar at the iconic Raffles Hotel for a legendary Singapore Sling (and obligatory peanuts) before dining at the splendid Butcher’s Block Restaurant, also within Raffles Hotel.