Singapore is at the west most tip of the Malayan Peninsula sitting almost on the equator. It has a population of 4.8million with 77% Chinese, 14% Indigenous Malay and 8% Indian. We were warned not to drop any rubbish or to chew gum, as both of these are offences in Singapore. Jaywalking is also a highly policed offence that leads to arrest and fine.
We started the day with a city highlights tour in an old, but gaily painted, WWII Army Duck. It drove us around the city then slipped into the harbour for a look from the wet side. Whilst on the harbour we spotted the biggest Ferris wheel ever so headed for it next.
The Singapore Flyer, the newest and highest ferris/observation wheel in the world at 165 metres (higher than a 42 storey building) was our next tourist event. The “London Eye” Ferris wheel is only 130 metres. Amazing is an inadequate description, the carriages are fully air-conditioned and large enough that you can have dinner in them if you wish. People get married in them! It takes 30 minutes to complete one revolution.
After this we needed rehydration so went to Raffles Hotel for a famous Singapore Sling at $US20, but you get to keep the glass. In early Singapore women were not allowed to drink alcohol in public so Sir Stamford Raffles invented this drink that looks like a fruit punch but contains lots of alcohol.
Lunch was at China Town that looks like every China Town in every other city of the world, nothing special but the food was actually Malaysian and excellent.
To wrap up the day we taxied over to Orchard Rd and walked its length window-shopping some of the biggest brands and most luxurious shopping centres I have seen. Singapore is almost the same prices as Sydney for nearly everything. The only discount is in the exchange rate of $AU1 = $SG1.20, not really enough to entice you to spend up.
Back to the ship and off to Kuala Lumpar
Good to see that you're keeping up the blog! So... how much weight have you lost so far?
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