We all owe a special thank you to the British government for sending Sir Stamford Raffles to find a strategic spot for Navy and shipping control in East and Southeast Asia.  By selecting Singapore, he secured control over shipping access between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.  Fast forward from 1819 to 1965, which takes Singapore from a British trading post to a British colony to an independent city state and perhaps the number one busiest container port in the world.  It is also the cleanest and safest economic heavyweight of Southeast Asia.

Approaching Singapore, container ships are lined up for miles to enter the port.

Singapore consists of Singapore Island and some 60 islets.  Amazingly, the city visited today has spring up on reclaimed land since 2005!

A small glimpse of the city outside our window;-)

The aim was to build an equatorial Las Vegas with glamorous casinos, trendy bars, discos and outdoor restaurants.  One of the must see sights is the spectacular Marina Bay Sands soaring 57 floors into the sky with the Sands Sky Park housing several restaurants across the top.  Designed by the U.S.’s Safdie, the architecture is amazing.  The complex opened in 2010 and is something to see inside and out.

Head up to the top of the Marina Sands for lunch (its much cheaper than dinner!).

View inside – – –

– – – And outside in all directions.  (Back to the Garden by the Bay for a light show later).

View to the city across the infinity pool.  Would you sit on that edge of the pool 57 stories up?!?!?

If you can tear yourself from that fantastic view and get your feet back on the ground, wander through the Marina Bay Center to the Marina Bay.  There you can get your shot with the Merlion statue and take in the sights of the Apple and Louis Vuitton stores sitting out on the Bay;-)

When it’s time for the afternoon refresher, head to the Raffles Hotel for a shot of colonial vintage.  Arguably the world’s best known hotel, it is one of Singapore’s most iconic sights.  It was founded in 1887 although the Singapore Sling was not invented here until 1915.  On a typical DAY, more than 2,000 of the drinks are served along with peanuts that you crack open and through the shells on the pristine floor.  The only ‘dirt’ you’ll find on the ground anywhere in Singapore.  Oh – don’t forget your wallet, as the drinks will cost more than many meals in Singapore.  But, all is worth it – –

The Raffles Long Bar is where the Singapore Sling was invented!

The Loooong Bar with a green hand cranked shaker that mixes four Singapore Slings at a time.

The iconic Singapore Sling – with peanuts.  (G’s is the non-A version)

Evening entertainment abounds.  There are light shows on the Bay, across on Sentosa Island and at that Garden by the Bay (seen from atop the Marina Bay Sands).  Our pick – Garden by the Bay to see the alien like Supertrees up close and personal – AND all lit up.

Dusk time views of the Marina Bay Sands.

That top piece with all the restaurants looks like a surfboard set up there:-)

Let the show begin!

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One of the 60+ isles making up Singapore is just a short hop from the cruise ship dock.  And, it is easily accessed by a cable car that will take one from Mount Faber Peak to Sentosa Island.  If you are an adventure park person, there is even a Universal Studios Park on Sentosa.  Have at it.

Cable car ride had great views of the port area – including our ship.

So many of us to make you laugh;-)

Singapore was great and it really helps to have several days here because there is so much to do.  It is safe, clean, English is the primary language, transportation is amazing and it is just plain fun!  But, as always, the time comes to move on.  So we must say – –

CHEERS!!  Here’s to Singapore.

E & G Moving on