Let's explore Singapore!

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Chinese New Year is celebrated in Shanghai with a fervor! Fireworks explode throughout the night for weeks! You would think the Chinese INVENTED fireworks or something. Oh wait - they did! So what do most expats do during this raucus celebration?? Get the heck out of Dodge! So we decided to heed their advice and do the same. Destination: a tiny country located 1 degree above the equator near Malaysia and Indonesia - Singapore. Our first impression as we deboard the plane: Oh my gosh - the signs are printed in English! Halleluia! Next, we sense an air of distinction only experienced in the world's finest airport (voted that for several years in a row). The cleanliness, order, and extravagance (free foot massages, pool, and internet!) mirror the experience we have in the city as a whole. Folks, they are serious about keeping this city pristine. No fireworks allowed here for New Years celebration (much to the disappointment of the Chinese Singaporians we met). In fact, there's also no gum chewing, littering, spitting, drugs, or unkept hair. Well, maybe I made up that last one, but dare break any of the other "No's" and you risk losing anything from your money( Lots of!!!) to your freedom to your life. This multi-ethnic city is located in a pretty volatile region and hence is prepared for invasion at any time. Some of the freeways are divided by large potted plants which can be easily removed to quickly convert into airplane runways in time of war. All boys must serve their country for 2 years in a remote island location when they turn 18. Nonetheless, we LOVED this place!! Lush, green, tropical. Enjoy our photo memories!

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Photos

Love the color!
This is the Jurong Bird Park. An amazing place that our Grandma's would've loved! I couldn't pass up an opportunity to hold the macaws!

Los tres amigos
This cute trio of Lorys was sitting, happy as could be, on a barrel in the "Lory Loft". A huge area where visitors can hang out under the security of netting and watch and even hold the cute little lories.

Feed the birds, toppins a bag...
Jessica became quite popular with a bit of food for the lories. She giggled and oooh'd as they lined up trying to find a place to perch. The bird park was hot, humid, and uncrowded - left quite an impression.

Tropical washroom
Several bathrooms we encountered in Singapore were missing a back wall so that while washing your hands you could smell, hear, and see the lush jungle arena behind. For once I actually wanted to linger in the bathroom to breath in the smells!

Ty's snipe hunt
Like Kirsten's insistent 1993 trek through California in search of Hollister, the hunt for Haw Par Villa for Ty was tiresome, difficult and had a surprising ending. This free Chinese Buddhist theme park was founded by the inventor of Tiger Balm - the miracle ointment that relieves Ty's sore muscles and earns his praise. What a surreal experience being the ONLY visitors in this large theme park filled with strange Chinese folklore statues and displays. Why did Aw Boon Haw spend $1M to create this? "What is derived from society should be given back in return".

Sentosa Island Merlion
No trip to Singapore would be complete without a day visit to nearby Sentosa Island. We enjoyed buying bikini's, playing on the beach, and a magical laser evening laser fountain show. But what about that scary Merlion anyway????