Arrival in Singapore
Very Long Travel Day
I do not generally dread flights but today I do. We first have a six hour flight to San Francisco, a 3 1/2 hour layover and then a 17 hour flight to Singapore. This is the longest flight that we have ever been on. Even I can’t sleep through all that so I have downloaded movies, books and podcasts as well as hard copies of books.
We move quickly through US immigration because John put all our information in advance to the Mobile Passport Control app which he downloaded. I guess not a lot of people have caught on to this program because the line we are in is very short compared to the line of people who did not use the app.
We are now 35 minutes from landing in Singapore. Actually the flight went much better than expected. We had aisle seats across from each other on our San Francisco to Singapore leg and there is nobody in either of the middle seats beside us. The time passes fairly quickly with reading, binge watching movies and sleeping.
Arrival in Singapore
Singapore’s Changi Airport is hands down my favourite airport. Everything is done by machines; no line ups. Clean, efficient, attractive with good signage Everything done right.
The transit system is very efficient and easy to use. We buy a transit tourist pass for four days and head to our downtown hotel using the subway.
Despite it only being 10am, they let us check into our room. We change and head out to explore the city.
First Impressions
First impressions are that there is a lot of British influence here. Signs are in English. We are staying in Clarke’s Quay near the Colonial District. This city is so clean.
Singapore is a big city but what strikes me the most is how quiet it is… especially the traffic. Just the soft hum of electric vehicles and no one beeps their horn. You do not hear loud music or people yelling. There is a calmness on the streets. In the Blue Zones of Happiness, Singapore is listed as one of the world’s happiest places.
Fort Canning Park
Singapore is known for their gardens. About a block from our hotel is Fort Canning Park. It is a lush and peaceful park on a hill with all kinds of lovely features including a mural wall.
The weather is hot (33 degrees) and humid. Fortunately it is a bit overcast and the air quality is very good (could it be the electric cars and buses?)
John and I are a bit tired (jetlag and I am recovering from a cold). Our challenge is to stay awake until 9pm tonight. Singapore is 13 hours ahead of Toronto and we crossed the date line. We left Toronto on Feb 5 and arrived in Singapore on Feb 7.
Raffles Hotel
On the way to the very posh Raffles Hotel (no we are not staying there), John and I stop to check out a white convent and girls school which has been changed into an entertainment and dining venue.
Raffles Hotel is beautiful on the outside with turbaned doorman assisting guests and keeping the riffraff out. The Singapore Sling was invented in 1915 at Raffles Loft Bar. You can still get Slings here for $32 a glass.
Riverwalk and Merlion
We head to the very picturesque River Walk. There is some very interesting architecture and the River Walk reminds us of Chicago.
We visit the Merlion fountain which is a mix of a lion and a fish and is also an iconic Singapore landmark. Click here for a video of the area.
Throughout Singapore there are lots of statues, many of which look like they are part of the street life. I also recognize Botero”s Peace Bird. Botero was a very celebrated artist from Colombia. Click here to see the significance of his Peace Bird sculptures which we learned in Colombia.
Asian Civilizations Museum & Bumboats
We head back to the hotel for a short break before making our way to the Asian Civilization Museum. This is a small but interesting museum with many interactive displays.
We are really starting to fade so we take a bumboat tour on the Singapore River and then it is time for supper
First Evening in Singapore
A Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded restaurant is next door to our hotel. There is a line up but we don’t wait long because it is only 5pm. The Pork Rib Soup is what they are known for. John orders that and I order the seafood pancake and braised bean curds.John read that Singapore people are very helpful to tourists who seem lost. After supper John and I are so tired that we find ourselves standing in front of our hotel, staring off into space like stunned bunnies as we decide what to do next. A local women stops to ask if she can help and then gives us lots of suggestions for where to go and upcoming events. People here are very friendlyWe are forcing ourselves to stay awake until 9pm so I grab my laptop and John grabs his planning materials and we head to the River Walk to do our work and watch the lights, night life and bungee jumpers…(boy do some of those ever scream loudly). Click her for a short video.