Singa Pura, the Lion City

Trip Start Jan 10, 2008
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Trip End Apr 22, 2008


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Flag of Singapore  ,
Saturday, March 15, 2008

The original name of Singapore as Singa Pura. If you visited Singapore years ago & remember it in a romantic way as described by James Michenor or Joseph Conrad, it has changed. It is similar to Hong Kong now or any other modern city in the world. Immaculate streets, ultra-modern skyscapers, tree shaded boulevards-very cosmopolitan.
Singapore is a very safe city, mostly due to their very strict laws. $1000. fines are imposed on those who litter, pick flowers, urinate in public, feed birds, waste water, spit, chew gum or smoke. Drug use is an automatic death entence. No kidding. One of our crew members lit up a cigarette & was fined $200. on the spot. He didn't have the money & was told he would go to jail. He had to borrow money from the passengers.
The shopping was comparable to stores in the U.S., perhaps more expensive so I didn't buy anything. A must-see is the famous Raffles Hotel where the Singapore Sling cocktail was invented. Many famous writers & celebrities sat at the Long Bar. Sadly, I wasn't one. I had hoped to film the bartender mixing & shaking the famous cocktail but he turned around to a tray of premade drinks on the counter, plopped one in front of me & said $25. (U.S. $). Whoa. Did it include the glass with the hotel emblem? No, that was $13. more. I said Tidak (no), Terima Kasih (Thank you) & walked out. At least I have some napkins, drink coasters & photos though.
Enroute to Phuket, Thailand where I'm sure the drinks are much less!
Linda
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