Singapore

 SINGAPORE

FEBRUARY 28, 2025

Spread across 63 islands at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is the world’s only island city-state.  The technology and economy are highly advanced here, yet the islands have plentiful green parks with tree-lined footpaths and the stunning National Orchid Garden.  A fantastic panoramic view of it all can be seen at the Marina Bay Sands towers which offer the perfect observation deck; the Sands Skypark lies flat atop the rooftops of this trio of 57-story hotel towers like an enormous surfboard!!! 

We, along with Joe and Julie, hired a private guide for the day to show us the highlights of this beautiful city.  A beautiful sail into the harbor with its fascinating condos and the Skyrail and the extensive transportation system.  

Our first stop with our guide was to the Mount Faber Peak Skyrail where we could catch a glimpse of the harbor and our Viking Sky ship and the beautiful parks and gardens all about this city.  

Beautiful artistic designs were placed around the top of the Skyrail area depicting the history of the establishment of Singapore in 1819 for the East India Company by Sir Stamford Raffles, after whom the famed Hotel Raffles is named.  

The legend of the Merlion can be traced back to the 13th century, when a Sumatran prince named Sang Nila Utama discovered the island of Singapore. According to legend, he saw a strange creature that resembled a lion swimming in the water.

We then stopped at the bustling Chinatown complex for a lunch of chicken-rice and sugar cane.

We even saw a Buddhist temple built with no nails!

Light and sound shows occur every evening at the Marina Bay Sands waterfront and the Supertree Grove!!!!!  Lights of every color ablaze everywhere!!!!!  Then there is the Cloud Forest in this beautiful glass structure filled with greenery and waterfalls transforming into a mist of “clouds”.  This photo of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the background and a grassy area is where the overflow crowd from Taylor Swift’s concert here could view her show on a large screen.

There is an interesting piece of artwork on the grounds called “Planet”. A colossal baby floats weightlessly as if in zero gravity—or in his mother's womb. Simply titled "Planet," this piece of public art is a work by British visual artist Marc Quinn, known for his marble sculptures that explore the human body.