Singapore:

February13th-17th 2017

Stepping into Singapore, to me, was like stepping into some kind of futuristic world. It’s not only the skyline, which offers views of buildings which seem to have come straight out of a science fiction movie (or from the mind of a very imaginative 10 year old), nor is it only the extremely efficient transport system but  it is also the overall behaviour and attitude of its population. Singapore, to me, is a model of how a city should be run, it is a very well oiled machine. People seem to all have bought in to the rules and mind set which are required when living in a densely populated city and  basic common sense appears to  be the general norm. Simply put: It works !   And for a tired tourist, literally just coming out of the jungle it was extremely satisfying to have ‘things work’ on the first try, at the first request and where ever we went. 

All you have to do to understand Singaporeans better is to take a ride on the elaborate but wonderfully user-friendly MRT (Singapore’s subway). The ultra clean stations, colour coded sign posts, and its almost fully computerized system just makes it so easy and effective to funnel people through and get them to where they need to go.

The gazilion escalators taking you down to which ever level you need to be underground are filled with people who all seem to be on their best behaviour, and who quietly and automatically line up on the LEFT side of the moving escalator...every last one of them are lined up on the left side- with no exceptions. This, obviously, to enable anyone who might be in a hurry, to walk up on the right hand side, I tell you, it really made Mark stand out as an outsider when, on the first day,  he casually stopped on the right side and rode half way up.I looked back and saw a small group of people that had gathered behind him  perplexed but too polite to say anything, I whispered to him to “stay left!” and as he did, they were able to slip on by ! By the second or third day ,our whole family was in sync with the rest of the population, and we made sure to “stay left” too !  When in Singapore.

It was a treat for us to re-visit this city and to show Meghan where she was born. We took a stroll to Mt Elizabeth Hospital and even met up with the brilliant doctor (Dr Anne Hagarty-and her dedicated, fabulous nurses) who delivered her into the world 15 years ago  Matthew enjoyed riding on more escalators in 4 days than he had in the last 3 years ! We walked along the wide, clean sidewalks and ate a sublime variety of western style food. Meg enjoyed shopping for clothe on the celebrated Orchard Road, 

A visit with Dr. Hagarty 

We had a peak into the grand Raffles Hotel (home of the original Singapore Sling) and frequently enjoyed walking in the bustling and aptly named  'Little India' area, where our simple hostel was located.

A temple in Little India

Raffles Hotel 

We took a full day to visit the (still) spectacular and world class Singapore Zoo (the best Zoo I have ever been to), What is so great about this zoo is the wide open, natural settings, where the animals never give the impression of  being enclosed, and, in some cases, they aren’t at all ! The animals seem so healthy and happy....you can see them interacting,playing and exploring their environment....(not like some other zoos where I have been where the animals almost seem depressed, sleeping  constantly or walking back and forth aimlessly.) 

This playful little guy would come right up to us! 

Douc Langur Monkeys, Singapore Zoo

The day started bright and early with an exciting 'Breakfast with the Orangutans', and finished late after a thrilling night safari, riding along through the “jungle” in the dark. We came back to the hostel completely exhausted, but elated !

Breakfast with the OrangUtans

We also truly enjoyed meandering down the river on a bumboat and visiting the historic quays and spending most of the day exploring the amazing Marina Bay area (which didn’t exist back in 2002 when we were last here). In the last 15 years, they had flooded (damned) and cleaned up a huge area of the mouth of the river. It is now the home of the impressive Marina Bay Sands building (which looks like a flying cruise ship which has landed on top of 3 sky scrapers)

Gardens By the Bay as seen from the top of Marina Bay Sands Building

Marina Bay Sands and the Arts and Science Museum

and the Gardens by the Bay with its truly futuristic Super Trees (Enormous solar paneled man-made trees). These mind blowing structures are just so cool to walk amongst (looking from the ground up  or on the elevated walkway between them). Every night they are lit up in a wonderful sound and light show. 

The Super Trees of Singapore

We also spent a very memorable day visiting the Art and Science Museum. Seen from the outside the building (which is found just at the base of the Marina Sands Building) looks like a giant egg which has cracked open. Inside we visited the three current exhibits: The Future World , the Nasa Space exhibit and MC Escher’s exhibit. Each of these three offered us something different. 

Matthew especially loved the one called Future World with its hand-on, sensory enticing exhibits like giant, colour-changing, musical-playing ball pit and a real feast of other great auditory, visual and tactile experiences...It was so nice to see him being so happy and so much in his element there ! 

Having fun in "Future world"

Art and Science Museum

Mark enjoyed taking the kids through the NASA space exhibit, where they got to learn everything you would ever want to know about the space program including a ride  simulating a 3G rocket launch. Finally we all enjoyed entering the world of MC Escher’s unparalleled talent, seeing his original work and experiencing some rather funny optical illusions.

After 5 days of mind expanding activities, retail therapy and after satisfying our yearning for western food and easy modern city commodities, we threw ourselves head first, back in the thick of things, onto another plane, this one headed for the super star of South East Asia: Thailand !

Stay tuned !

Lots of love

4Ms overland in S.E. Asia 

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