A Day in Singapore

Our next stop had us dock in Singapore for day, well… more like 8 hours. It was a nice pit stop and a place I would like to discover more if I had the time. With the small amount of time I had I was able to lead a trip to the School of Hard Knocks which is a pewter store that sells a variety of goods made out of the metal and they have a lab inside where you can make your own bowl. The store was in Clark Quay (pronounced Key) so that was nice to see that part of Singapore and also bring back a neat little souvenir. Once we got there everyone was given a small tour and overview of how pewter came to be important for Singapore and then we were given instructions on how to make the bowl. It is a lot of hammering and molding. They gave everyone a circular and flat piece of pewter which ultimately had to be shaped with molds and engraved by a hammer. It was fun but really loud. Afterward, our tour guide Grace allowed us to walk around the area. It resembled Citywalk in L.A. with dozens of restaurants and shops as well as those fountains that shoot water out from the ground when you least expect. Singapore is unique… it has the hustle of a city and sterility of a suburb all mashed together. The subway (or MRT) is really easy to figure out – the only difficult thing is that the stations are pretty far away from each other so it would be similar to how the Chicago subway stations are located… not too close like NY but close enough to walk from one station to another or get to a point from a certain area without it being a hassle.

After the School of Hard Knocks I headed back to the ship to drop stuff off and reconnect with the group. Oh, and the docking area was a cruise terminal which was a full mall with a food court, retail stands and high end stores so it was interesting to walk around the mall as well… but shopping really wasn’t what I wanted to do… My agenda was to see as much of Singapore in the few hours we had and also eat. So… after reconvening with my traveling buds we set back out into the city and headed to Chinatown where we wanted to get some lunch at the Maxwell Center, which is considered a Hawker Food Station…. It is pretty much an open air food court where you can get the usual cuisine… Oyster Omelet’s, Carrot Cake (which is another type of omelet), all sorts of dumplings, noodle soups, and other local dishes. I also got some Tiger Beer to wash down the great food the Hawker stands had to offer. After grubbin’ we walked around Chinatown and perused the vendors, which I didn’t know but figured out.. .that you can also bargain there too! After some time we headed to Esplanade where the huge Dorian Fruit shaped theatre complex was. That was interesting to see, from the few art installations inside to the outside dome of the theatre and its architecture. Afterward we headed to the Golden Mile Food Center which is another Hawker Center where I got Dorian Shaved Ice and Tulong… which is a bone marrow dish. Of course, more Tiger Beer too. Afterward we headed back to the ship because our time was up. Although it was a short and sweet visit, I had a great time in Singapore… I wish I could have also seen the Marina Bay Sands which is a casino that has a great view of the city and maybe visited Sentosa Island, but I can always list that for next time.

As for the status of Japan… we have learned that it our trip to Japan is officially cancelled due to the recent tragedy that occurred as well as the many health risks related to entering the country. Although it is sad that we have to re-route ourselves my main concern is sending good thoughts and hope to all those who are impacted. A trip is a trip and no matter where we go it will be fine… however, seeing the news reports and watching the events unfold, I cant imagine being there and having to deal with the many issues and concerns Japan currently is facing.

For our change in destination… they provided 3 options, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. It was recently announced that we will be heading to Taiwan after Shanghai... just as exciting.. .and truth be told, I am kind of glad that it was not South Korea… it would be too short and I wouldn’t have been mentally and emotionally ready to go to South Korea for the first time… especially this way. So… it is off to Taiwan.