My cruise from Australia ended in Singapore and I was there two times. As you can see the above photo, the architecture is quite remarkable. (Please note I have lots of photos of Singapore and have left them at the end of the blog.
When I arrived in Singapore by ship it was a beautiful day and the trip in was the most spectacular harbor that I have visited on this strip. The sheer number of ships we passed was staggering. The city looked pristine, modern and glistening. I stayed at two different hotels there. The second hotel I stayed in was extremely basic. The room was not much bigger than the bed and the bathroom the size of a small closet. The bathroom did not have a formal shower, but instead had only a handheld shower head and a drain in between where the sink and toiled were.
The hotel that I really liked was located in Chinatown, The Saff and had a very comfortable homey feel. It was decorated in an Indonesian or Indian style and in very good taste. The Saff, short for Saffron was a befitting name. I understand it was renovated recently. On the street corner near the hotel was a Hindu Temple that was active.
I went to the Chinatown area a number of times. I especially liked one restaurant on the corner. You can see some of the dishes they serve by blowing up the photo.
Some of them are Frog Porridge, Chickens Feet Soup and Fish Head Soup. I opted for the fish head soup for the novelty effect and when I tasted it, I could not believe how good it was. They prepare it in a clay pot and it cost $5 Singapore dollars, which is close to $4 US. I had it two times.
I enjoyed walking around Chinatown and did gift shopping, drank fresh juice and ate cheap and good food. Besides shopping you can also find foot massage places that for $20 give the most amazing foot massages.
One night, I went to Little India and had some great Indian food. It is a bit casual there and ended up sitting with a younger guy Indian guy who worked in Singapores financial district. There are quite a few Indians in Singapore and it is very much a mixed culture. After dinner, he showed me around Little India, I bought some shoes and then we took the metro to the riverside area aka Clarkes Quay There is an amazing nightlife with restaurants and bars along the river. We stopped at a riverside place for beers and the bill was $26 singapore for two beers or around $20 for two beers. In Thailand, a beer at a bar is around $1.50. The range is prices in Singapore is staggering. You can get a Chinese meal for less than $4 and then not too far a way a bottle of Champagne is $1000. The old world and new world, rich and poor coexist in a very small place.
Another part of Singapore is called Sentosa Island which features shopping malls, casinos, and hotels. You can take a monorail or small cable cars over to the Island. At the harbor where you catch the transportation, there is also a huge mall. I would say the shopping situation in Singapore is overwhelming and nothing short of fantastic.
There is a ton to do and see in Singapore. It is world class city that is a great place to visit, shop and eat. It is a combination of New York, Chicago and Disney Land. There is always something in
Singapore to impress you.
When I arrived at the harbor it was a very hot day and as we approached the city there was a conclave of ships that must have numbered in the thousands. I have been to a lot of ports but have never seen anything like it.
This is a magnificent new building complex.
The cable cars you see, lead to Sentosa Island, which has amazing shopping as well as a beach and hotels and casinos.
The above Hindu Temple here was on the corner of the hotel I stayed in and was very active. My hotel, the Saff, was in an Indonesian or Indian style, was newly renovated and very homey and comfortable.
The hotel was adjacent to Chinatown and there was great cheap food. Take a look at this menu by clicking on it and reading the dishes. Some of them are Chicken Feet, Frog Porridge, and Dried Chilli Pig Liver.
I opted for the Fish Head Soup for around $4 US dollars. It is one of the best things I have ever eaten.
There were little shrines everywhere.
Outdoor eat street in Chinatown.
Chopstick store with amazing different sets of Chopsticks and prices into the thousands.
Checker games in town square.
Another Hindu Temple. Singapore is a mix of cultures and religions. I saw an active Mosque as well.
Another street in Chinatown.
Incredibly ornate Buddhist Temple Chinatown.
More eating at night in Chinatown.
My bathroom with non shower just the head and a drain.
Chinese lanterns, Chinatown.
Just an apartment building.
Row of restaurants on the Quay.
These restaurants cater to mostly expats (white people)
They had great menus.
Lots of fresh seafood.
I think Carlton hotel and sightseeing boats but I never took one.
Famous children diving sculpture.
More brilliant architecture.
School children learning about Singapore history.
Famous Singapore Lion fountain is ensconsed in a hotel room setting as part of a promotion. Kid of like if they put the Statue of liberty in a huge hotel room.
Near Lion, a group having their photo taken.
Padang area with Cricket Club near and financial district in background. They play soccer here as well.
The Famous Raffles Hotel where the Singapore Sling was invented.
Clarkes Quay restaurants.
Fountains Clarkes Quay.
View from my $12 beer. The view itself was worth the twelve bucks.
Never a dull moment in Singapore. That is actually a space ship model that someone flies. I have video of it and it is pretty awesome.
The monorail to Sentosa.
Blow up animals rides at the harbor mall on the way to Sentosa.
Just one part of spectacular Sentosa.
Candy store Sentosa.
Famous swinging bridge at beach at Sentosa.
