Singapore: Fri 29, Sat 30, Sun 31 July.

Arrived at Alex's (and Kate's) flat early Friday morning, about 7.00am, after the long 13 hour haul from London. Alex was working in HK so we found our way around, had a short sleep, then went exploring. Walked to the glitzy Orchard Rd through Little India, but the highlight had to be Little India, so much so that the 10 minutes we spent in one small patch of Orchard Rd was enough. Orchard Rd is the westernised, glamorous tourist mecca but is still over-priced and over-rated.

We had not seen the Little India part of Singapore on previous visits so it was vibrant and exciting to walk through these areas.

The dual nature of the footpath is interesting, with about half the width covered by verandah. This is the same in all shopping areas of Singapore. The traders use that covered area and it means trading can continue even during the considerable rainfall the area receives. 

We remember being told by a Guide on a previous visit that this style of verandah or covered walkway was insisted upon by Raffles in early planning. Some quick research says it was referred to as the 'five foot way' in the 'Jackson Plan' for the layout of early Singapore, a plan in which Raffles had major input to correct the disorderly development which was occurring. This specified there had to be 5 feet width from the front of the building to the edge of the walkway so that pedestrians can remain under cover during heavy rain. 

Traders tend to fill some of this space but shoppers and pedestrians still have access, but one needs to watch out for steps and other trip hazards. I guess our 'sanitized' public space with a focus on safety can make us a bit 'blase' which means we are vulnerable to not seeing these hazards.

 

There are significant cultural or religious spaces within Little India.

With Alex back from HK late Friday, we emerged Saturday and visited the 'Gardens by the Sea'. This is a recently constructed feature which is huge by any standards. Many locals visit there and mix with the tourists, but given the size of it, I would think locals could visit there regularly and see different aspects each time.

There are different sculpture and design elements around the garden.

But the major features are the big sculptures or towers behind Mary and Alex in the photo below. Not sure what to call them or what they are called in Singapore, but they are striking and dominant.

As the daylight recedes in the afternoon, these features light up and create remarkable effects.

There is a 'sky-walk' between two of the biggest towers, with support wires strung from the others. We lined up for the experience and groups are limited in numbers. Each group was told they have 15 minutes on the sky-walk, then must move on. It is an engineering marvel but the walkway sways a fair amount.

The views are quite spectacular and, as luck would have it, the nightly 'light-show' began while we were still on the walkway. All the towers are part of the light-show with accompanying music blaring out also. We had an exceptional view from the walkway and figured we wouldn't be moved on during the show. Thanks for the photo below, Alex.

Nevertheless, we did catch the last part from down below and the colours and effects were great from anywhere. The walkway can be seen clearly in the photo below.

Other views from the Gardens and walkway were impressive ...

... especially the view of the Marina Bay Sands hotel below, which looks like a long surf-board or canoe perched on top of three towers. The towers are the hotel rooms and the top section is for entertaining and partying. There is a long swimming pool there as well.



(The photo below is out of sequence, but I took a daytime photo the next day from the other side. Impressive and very different from any angle.)



Also part of the Gardens are two big domes, a Flower dome and a Cloud dome. These are climate-controlled, with the Flower dome being generally dry and cool with trees, plants and flowers from around the world growing. The Cloud Dome is moist and humid with rainforest species growing.

The Singapore Orchid Festival was in progress in the Flower Dome, so we saw some great orchids.

For an evening meal, we went to a Hawker Market (Lau Pa Sat Market) set up on a street which is closed for the evening. The food is cooked on the spot, as can be seen from below.

The road is closed and tables and chairs appear quickly. Competition for your custom is quite fierce. Reviews claim it is THE place for satay sticks in Singapore. It was very good!

The wrought-iron facade dates from way back (177 years) and was brought out from England by boat.

The next morning, we walked around the old 'Downtown' part of Singapore, along the Boat Quay restaurants ...

... and the back alleys behind these restaurants, pictured below, where a few air conditioners were on show...

... near the Raffles statue and the Asian Civilisations Museum (good reviews but we didn't have time to visit) ....

... and across the historic Cavenagh Bridge near the Fullerton Hotel, with a bronze casting nearby on the waterfront which is exceptional...

... along with other street art and sculptures.

...and lovely street facades.

Further on, the sights of the business district emerged along with newer buildings such as the Convention Centre and various theatres.

The occasional surprise such as a mist emerging from an area we just walked over.

The spectacular Marina Bay Sands Hotel, again...

The 'Cloud Nine' sculpture on a pontoon in the bay.

For a late lunch, we went to Chinatown, which was very busy but good fun and very vibrant. This is another part of Singapore I had not seen before and Chinatown certainly enhances one's view of Singapore. There are some signs which warn of pick-pockets but despite that risk, which is a world-wide phenomenon, the area feels very safe, vibrant and exciting.

The Underground in Singapore is worthy of mention. Called the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), the system is highly effective and streamlined. The photos below show the 'platform' for the system, all behind closed doors with very clear markings on the floor directing passengers where to stand and what areas to leave clear etc. The manner in which locals observe these rules suggests to me that there must be enforcement processes as well. I hope that if (when?) Melbourne and Sydney get around to developing underground train networks, they look at Singapore as a model.

Back to the flat, pack up one more time and head for the airport. A fairly short flight of only 8 hours to Sydney, then home!!!

Landed at Sydney 5.30am and managed to change flight to Coffs Harbour to 8.30am.