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Published: March 10th 2016
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Singapore
Magnificent tree sculptures at Gardens by the Bay. Singapore. Feb. 18.
Tried the terminal internet last night, but gave it up. Others had no problem. We'll try Starbuck's on the way back if we have time; all aboard is 4:30.
Took the subway to the Bay Marina area, where behind the hotel, in a city of 5 million people, we, of course, ran into David and Anne who had disembarked the day before and had just enjoyed the Gardens By The Bay before heading to the airport.
We got lost in wonder at the detailed displays and explanations and incredible variety of plants in this spectacular public area. For a the price of a ticket, you can also tour two giant domed conservatories containing more than a quarter million rare species. One dome contains a cloud/rainforest, complete with a thundering waterfall dropping several stories and producing a thick mist. The other is a flower conservatory, one of the most complete collections in the world.
The Supertrees are another big thing in this park - giant tree-shapes constructs which are frameworks for an intricately balanced community of plants. Over time, these plants will eventually cover the superstructure and will become essentially a self-contained ecosystem. Another fee
Singapore
Gardens by the Bay. Sleeping child. gives access to walkways high above the ground, linking several of the trees.
Jane was unlikely to enjoy the high walkway, and we discovered that at least one of the trees has an elevator. Access is gained by dining at the restaurant fifteen stories up, or by paying a fee, you can have a drink at the bar while enjoying the view. A spiral staircase also gives access to the top of the tree with fabulous views of the park, the harbour and the marina area.
We continued exploring the park, discovering a walkway which allowed you to explore and learn about several different ecosystems, plant types (a whole section of palms) and regional oddities.
A wrong turn took us to the pedestrian walkway through the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, a building remarkable for its twisting and soaring triple towers connected at the top by a large flat area comprising the a restaurant, the infinity pool, and the 650-foot hight observation deck. However, we ran out of time and had to head back. The return trip was quicker than expected, so Jane had time to buy new sandals while I hit Starbuck's for espresso and internet.
Singapore
There were several of these imaginative sculptures. Riding a dragonfly! Passed through boarding control, passport control, immigration, then security, show ship card and finally we were back on the gangway, just in time to hear the familiar loudspeaker call for the lifeboat drill. This is a rigid requirement for newbies and also a monthly requirement for long-termers. We dashed to our lifeboat station and averted the need for the crew to search for us, and then put us on the supplementary drill list for miscreants who don't show up. Our room steward had been notified that we were absent so that he could check our room in case we were sleeping or ignoring the drill, and he was almost motherly in his relief at our appearance.
Singapore's anal-retentive immigration policy meant all passengers had to turn in their passports to be checked with the ship before departure clearance would be given. The announcements calling for missing passports began immediately after the drill. The count of the offenders began at 28, and the announcements continued in this vein until they got down to the last 8 people and began naming names. We were in the Ocean Bar after meeting a nice Dutch couple who had just boarded for the Singapore
Singapore
Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Interesting view. to Singapore leg when we heard the names of friends being called. Realising they both have hearing problems, and that they were not in the same bar, I figured they were in the Crow's Nest bar up top, where it is crowded and noisy.
I found Mr., and he told me he had just caught his name being called during a lull in the music. Fortunately, they were not the absolute last people. That honour belongs to Mr. & Mrs. Bob F., who delayed our departure dramatically, and according to gossip, cost the cruise line $20k in berth overtime fees.
Some blame rests with the cruise line. They had announced that the passports were due at the front desk by 4pm, lifeboat drill was 4:15, and all aboard was 4:30; more than a little out of whack.
A lovely sailaway, showing us the western areas of Singapore we had neglected in our tours of downtown to the east. We head now to Jakarta through the South China Sea, for two weeks of exploring Indonesia.
Heard on the news that about half a meter of snow fell on Ottawa over half a day. Pete must be chuckling over the continued failure of the city's articulated bus fleet to operate on snow-covered inclines, as he was one of the experts advising the city against their purchase and predicting that failure exactly.
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