Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Day 132: Singapore
October 5: My last full day in Singapore... before heading back to Australia. Can't believe my holiday has gone so fast, and is almost over!
Did a city tour this morning... went to Merlion Park to get a view of the city (including the Esplanade) and the half lion/half fish statue, which is the icon of Singapore. Had a stop at Little India briefly to look at some shops (they are celebrating the festival of Deepavali - festival of lights - so the streets are decorated very nicely), then onto Chinatown to visit the Thiam Hock Keng Temple (Buddhist/Taoist).
Stopped at a handicraft centre where they make jewellery and amazing pictures out of semi-precious stones... before heading to the Botanical Gardens and a magical walk through the National Orchid Garden. Very enjoyable, shame it was a little rainy!
Then on my own, walked through Arab Street (via the Sultan Mosque) and Little India, before catching the train and cable car over to Sentosa Island.
Went to Underwater World where I got to see the usual reef fish, sting rays, sharks etc... but also got to learn about the 'angel baby' which lives in the northern Arctic waters, and saw the trainers feeding sea turtles too. Caught the island shuttle bus around to the Dolphin Lagoon where I saw the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (aka Pink Dolphins) perform in a show. People also got the chance to have photos with the dolphins and pat them for a small fee.
Had a walk around Siloso Beach before sunset, then headed to the Ferry Terminal and main gardens, to walk along the path up to the Magical Music Fountain show. It's a half hour production where the water from the fountain, fire, and laser lights 'perform' to music and a person pretending to conduct it all. Very cute and enjoyable for all ages.
Caught the cable car back over to the 'mainland' of Singapore, taking in the night sky, before buying some last-minute souvenirs and making a few other stops on the way back to my hotel.
Long day, but loads of fun!
Did a city tour this morning... went to Merlion Park to get a view of the city (including the Esplanade) and the half lion/half fish statue, which is the icon of Singapore. Had a stop at Little India briefly to look at some shops (they are celebrating the festival of Deepavali - festival of lights - so the streets are decorated very nicely), then onto Chinatown to visit the Thiam Hock Keng Temple (Buddhist/Taoist).
Stopped at a handicraft centre where they make jewellery and amazing pictures out of semi-precious stones... before heading to the Botanical Gardens and a magical walk through the National Orchid Garden. Very enjoyable, shame it was a little rainy!
Then on my own, walked through Arab Street (via the Sultan Mosque) and Little India, before catching the train and cable car over to Sentosa Island.
Went to Underwater World where I got to see the usual reef fish, sting rays, sharks etc... but also got to learn about the 'angel baby' which lives in the northern Arctic waters, and saw the trainers feeding sea turtles too. Caught the island shuttle bus around to the Dolphin Lagoon where I saw the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (aka Pink Dolphins) perform in a show. People also got the chance to have photos with the dolphins and pat them for a small fee.
Had a walk around Siloso Beach before sunset, then headed to the Ferry Terminal and main gardens, to walk along the path up to the Magical Music Fountain show. It's a half hour production where the water from the fountain, fire, and laser lights 'perform' to music and a person pretending to conduct it all. Very cute and enjoyable for all ages.
Caught the cable car back over to the 'mainland' of Singapore, taking in the night sky, before buying some last-minute souvenirs and making a few other stops on the way back to my hotel.
Long day, but loads of fun!
# posted by mishij @ 7:37 AM 
