July 18, 2017. First day exploring in Singapore

LOCATION:  Housesitting in Singapore

WEATHER:  Hot as H____!  Humidity 100%+ if that is possible

 

Our house is located in the suburbs with Singaporean neighbors (rather than an expat community). We walked to the nearby bus stop, rode the bus to the city rail hub, then took a train to the harbor area.    

Our main destination today was the National Museum.  They have an exhibit on the history of Singapore.  We felt that we needed to learn more about this city state.  It was quite interesting.  

We learned that the British captain Raffles (of Raffles Hotel fame) sorted out the colony and created a well-run trade environment.  As it was such a vital port (silks, spices and opium), there were traders from all over the East, and they did not get along.  To create harmony, he separated them out in different sections of the city. So now, there are vibrant sections of the city like Little India, Chinatown, and Arab Street.  We plan to visit each while we are here.  

 

Then, we learned, that Raffles returned to England and his second in command let everything go to pot.  Opium dens, crime, and prostitution ruled.  He returned and got it back in shape again.  Then, during WWII, the Japanese invaded and took over.  Following the war, Singapore fell under British rule again.  Then, in 1965, it became independent.  They are celebrating their 52nd birthday in a few weeks.  

From the museum, we walked to the famous Raffles Hotel.  We had planned to have a drink at their famous Long Bar (featured in my book "1000 Places to Go Before You Die" but the restaurant and bar are closed for renovation.  :-(. 

Banking is Singapore's largest industry.  Here is one view of the skyline....

 

There is hardly any pollution here.  One reason is that cars are super expensive - $130,000 USD.  And, when you buy one, you can only keep it 10 years, and then you have to give it up. So, you don't get anything from your investment.  After a car is 10 years old, it is shipped to Malaysia so they can enjoy car pollution rather than Singapore!    

Singapore is also famous for its rigid rules.  Here is George obeying traffic signs and not risking a $100 fine for jay-walking....

After this bit of sight-seeing, we were parched.  We found an old section of town along the river.  The former shophouses with traditional architeture have been renovated and converted to restaurants and bars.  We stopped at one (with air conditioning).  When in Rome.....I just HAD to try a Singapore Sling.  It was nice and refreshing.  It was invented at the bar in the Raffles Hotel.  

 

The homeowners loaned us their public transporation passes, so we just tap on and off on buses and trains.  It is a very efficient public transportation system.  We made it back to the house.  Our cat Sita is an indoor/outdoor cat.  She likes to spend most of her time out exploring.  I was nervous that she would not come in, but she returned for her evening snack of prawns.  

Then, after dinner she went out again.  I fretted and watched for her until she sashayed back in about 11:00.