Today has been spent as a typical tourist, not a state with which I'm overly familiar.
Singapore is in places quite jaw dropping, a futuristic city that doesn't seem to have a hair out of place.
Their MRT, the equivalent of our tube, is quick, clean, efficient and easily understood. Each station has a wealth of information about lines, exits, timings, and provides very clean public toilets. You would struggle to get lost travelling on the MRT, it's impressive. Travel etiquette is instinctive and I have yet to hear any raised voices or see any food being consumed on board, as for pushing and shoving it's just not done. London please take note.
I'm still trying to remember that you stand on the left on the elevators, might take some getting used to.
First port of call is Marine Bay. Oh my goodness, this is just awesome, like a vast Star Trek set, it wouldn't surprise you if some giant metal alien burst terrifyingly out of the water, scattering all aside in its quest for total world domination! In fact the whole enormous shiny complex has an air of unreality about it, it's just so, um, perfect?
Lots of hop on hop off boats up and down the water but I'm going to take the commuters' river taxis, can't be seen fraternising with tourists!
Walked up and down and round, admiring all the time.
Then decided to take myself off to Sentosa, see how much it's changed in the 45 years since my last visit. I know it's now a giant entertainment complex whereas I remember the island as a disused and abandoned Army Garrison, so yes, it will have changed, enormously.
Walked over the Broadwalk from the mainland and yes, oh boy, it has changed. It is now one huge holiday complex with many 'attractions' all designed to separate you from your money. It didn't work on me but then I'm hardly a typical tourist. I headed over to the far side of the island where there are some lovely beaches, and the area is much more the memory that I have.
There is a useful bus that chunters up and down what is called Beach Road and which has the advantage of getting you to the tip of the island quicker. But I mainly went round on foot, a concept that the guides found strange. Interesting in how many places I've been to where the locals find walking an odd notion, how many times have I been encouraged to take the local transport as where I'm going is, to their minds, a long way away - at least a 15 minute walk, they just don't do walking. It's the car all the time. Maybe it's time Greta got in her rowing boat and came here to lecture the population on the perils of driving. I bet they'd have a few choice words ready to send her on her way.
Tomorrow I have another full day planned, hopefully you'll enjoy reading about it, I certainly enjoy sharing it all with you. See you then!
Singapore is in places quite jaw dropping, a futuristic city that doesn't seem to have a hair out of place.
Their MRT, the equivalent of our tube, is quick, clean, efficient and easily understood. Each station has a wealth of information about lines, exits, timings, and provides very clean public toilets. You would struggle to get lost travelling on the MRT, it's impressive. Travel etiquette is instinctive and I have yet to hear any raised voices or see any food being consumed on board, as for pushing and shoving it's just not done. London please take note.
I'm still trying to remember that you stand on the left on the elevators, might take some getting used to.
First port of call is Marine Bay. Oh my goodness, this is just awesome, like a vast Star Trek set, it wouldn't surprise you if some giant metal alien burst terrifyingly out of the water, scattering all aside in its quest for total world domination! In fact the whole enormous shiny complex has an air of unreality about it, it's just so, um, perfect?
Lots of hop on hop off boats up and down the water but I'm going to take the commuters' river taxis, can't be seen fraternising with tourists!
Walked up and down and round, admiring all the time.
Then decided to take myself off to Sentosa, see how much it's changed in the 45 years since my last visit. I know it's now a giant entertainment complex whereas I remember the island as a disused and abandoned Army Garrison, so yes, it will have changed, enormously.
Walked over the Broadwalk from the mainland and yes, oh boy, it has changed. It is now one huge holiday complex with many 'attractions' all designed to separate you from your money. It didn't work on me but then I'm hardly a typical tourist. I headed over to the far side of the island where there are some lovely beaches, and the area is much more the memory that I have.
There is a useful bus that chunters up and down what is called Beach Road and which has the advantage of getting you to the tip of the island quicker. But I mainly went round on foot, a concept that the guides found strange. Interesting in how many places I've been to where the locals find walking an odd notion, how many times have I been encouraged to take the local transport as where I'm going is, to their minds, a long way away - at least a 15 minute walk, they just don't do walking. It's the car all the time. Maybe it's time Greta got in her rowing boat and came here to lecture the population on the perils of driving. I bet they'd have a few choice words ready to send her on her way.
Tomorrow I have another full day planned, hopefully you'll enjoy reading about it, I certainly enjoy sharing it all with you. See you then!
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