Singapore - ya gotta love it!
After having sat in on a shipboard lecture informing us of the history, politics, culture and economy of Singapore, our disembarkation transfer to our hotel included a sight-seeing overview of Singapore with stops at the Botanical Gardens and Chinatown.
After having sat in on a shipboard lecture informing us of the history, politics, culture and economy of Singapore, our disembarkation transfer to our hotel included a sight-seeing overview of Singapore with stops at the Botanical Gardens and Chinatown.
Situated at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, an inhabited by 70% Chinese, it was never of singular importance until Sir Stamford Raffles (yes, of the Raffles Bar and Singapore Sling fame), established Singapore as a trading station, and of further importance once the Suez Canal was built in 1869, plus the advent of the steamship and telegraph Although since 1965, the government of Singapore is a Constitutional Republic, it is essentially an autocratic management style headed by one family. The results have proven to take this previously third world island to that of a leading economic world power in less than half a century. Today, Singapore is a dynamic city state, rich in contrast and color with a harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture. Brimming with unbridled energy, this little dynamo in Southeast Asia embodies the finest of both East and West.
I am amazed at the beauty of what has been created in such a short time and while the laws are VERY strict, the results speak for themselves.
I am amazed at the beauty of what has been created in such a short time and while the laws are VERY strict, the results speak for themselves.
ADDENDUM - a summation of our cruise:- 7 ports in 17
days; 4139 nautical miles travelled; crossed the Equator
(2x - unofficially 6 times since the Captain circled 0
degrees at the equator twice as we headed for
Singapore)