Sunday, March 25, 2018, Singapore day 1

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Spread across 63 islands at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is the world’s only island city-state.  Established in 1819 for the East India Company by Sir Stamford Raffles, after whom the famed hotel is named, it grew from a secluded backwater into a shabby port city before transforming itself into a sophisticated metropolis.  The technology and economy are highly advanced here, yet the islands host plentiful green parks and the stunning National Orchid Garden.  
Today's shore excursion found us traveling to the Orchid Garden and China Town.  We may overload you with orchid pictures, so go by them quickly to find a few pictures of China Town.
 On our way to the Singapore National Orchid Garden.


















 Black orchids!




We were amazed to learn orchids do not grow in dirt.  They primarily like wood chips and charcoal.

























 Unique sign in men's room.
Iguana in SE Asia; we thought they were primarily in Mexico and Central America.  What a surprise.


Singapore River. 

 On our way to China Town.  Three quarters of Singapore population are Chinese.




 Chinese year of the dog.
Food street.
 Buddhist temple.
 Impromptu flea markets "stands" among established shops in China Town.
 Chinese men gathered to play or watch checkers; note the number of spaces on some of the boards.


 On our way back to our cruise ship.
Singapore is proud of its acceptance of all religions.  This Methodist church got its start in 1948.

For a panoramic view of it all, the Marina Bay Sands towers offer the prefect observation deck; the Sands Skypark lies flat atop the rooftops of a trio of 57-story hotel towers like an enormous surfboard.


Singapore after dark!



Tomorrow for day 2 in Singapore our shore excursion will be at a bird sanctuary; hopefully it will contain far fewer pictures than today but the orchids are beautiful.

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