Singapore Visit

Nongsa Point Marina and Resort

Chartplotter showing lots of boats between us and Singapore

Some of those many boats!

Lots of bargains!

Typical specialized product store front

Downtown mosque

One of the many modern looking buildings

Singapore Visit

Dec 1 to 3, 2015

We couldn't look out on the skyline of Singapore from the boat and not go over for a visit. It is not the best place to take your own boat. The marinas are very expensive, and the boat traffic busy. You are required to have AIS on your dinghy to use it in the harbour. The plan had been to take the morning ferry Mon and return Tues. But after leaving the marina at 8 and getting to the hotel at 12, we decided to add an extra day to the visit. We had some specific boat things to find and buy, but had time then to see a few of the sights. When we fly back we can do some more.

The fast ferry takes 35 min to cross the straight. Quite a few freighters passed close in front of or behind us. Last Sat the evening ferry hit something in the water and started to take on water. The passengers were all put in the life rafts with the life jackets and eventually picked up by other vessels. Lots of complaints in the papers about the quality of some of that equipment but everyone was safe. We had no such trauma and enjoyed the ride and sights. The subway and bus systems in Singapore are great and easy to figure out so we used them to get around. It is the first train system I've seen where the tracks are completely sealed off with walls and doors.

Downtown hotels can be very expensive but we found something online for $150 in Little India which is where the marina store was. The subway stop was right beside the hotel so it was easy to get around. But we also walked all the way downtown Wed taking in the atmosphere. The city is very clean, especially after Indonesia. There are many cultures living together but over 80% are Chinese. There is the old colonial architecture from the British days, as well as very modern buildings. The number of specialty stores was impressive-whole shops of screws and bolts, or pipes, or wire. There must be a lot of wholesale business. It is hard to imagine that all those hardware stores could be making money but the city as a whole is affluent. We found a marine store that will order parts and supplies for us ready to be picked up when we return. That will save us shopping from home and carrying them back on the plane.

It was more fun for me to see the shops full of textiles, or buttons, or gold bangles, or carpets. Mustafa Mall in Little India was 2 blocks square and just crammed with dept store items and food. Also in that area was Sim Lim Tower and Square which are all electronics stores. Rob managed to get some of the things on his shopping list there. We also picked up a suitcase to carry everything back to the boat and then to return some things to Toronto.

Wed evening we took the subway downtown and had a Singapore sling at the Raffles Hotel where it was invented. At $32 each it was definitely just a tourist thing to do, and a chance to see the famous hotel and enjoy some live music. From there we took the train out to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel on the harbour. There was an entire high end mall there elaborately deco

ish I hadn't forgotten the camera!of the business district buildings and waters Hotel where it was invented. inese.na store wasrated for Christmas. From the top floor you have a view of the business district buildings, ferris wheel and water. Wish I hadn't forgotten the camera!

Thurs am we took a brief visit to Chinatown. Except for the aggressive salesmen, it was worth seeing. The Buddhist temples, Hindi temples, and huge Christian churches seemed to be spread out over the city regardless of neighbourhood. Another time I would like to see the prime shopping area of Orchard St with its numerous malls, the Botanical Gardens, and some of the museums.

We booked our flights home leaving late on Mon, Dec 7 here. With the time change we will be home midday Tues the 8th. This flight has a stopover in Shanghai. (You can also fly the other way and stop in London.) We're hoping for a clear day and we can see that futuristic Chinese city from the air.