Singapore

Oct 30 - Arrived Singapore around 9 PM in the rain and booked into our apartment overlooking Clarke Quay (key). Picked up some "essentials" at the shopping center in our building and did some exploring. There is a 5 story mall, food court, restaurants, and subway beneath us. From the brochure: Pioneering a new concept of live, work and play, The Central Clarke Quay offers a convenient lifestyle where no commuting to and from work is necessary and everything you need for business, entertainment and recreation is right at your doorstep.









View from a water front bar on Clarke Quay (key)

Boat rides on the Singapore River


Bars, restaurants, and live bands every night



Kite festival: we're thinking about buying one

Gardens By the Bay: Singapore's premier urban outdoor recreation space, and a national icon.
Spectacular indoor gardens and very scary walkways far above the ground (Jan's words)






Elaborate Lego garden with enormous fly catcher




Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station is an underground Mass Rapid Transit interchange

China Town, Boat Quay and Marina Bay (all within walking distance)













Sentosa:

The Singapore Botanic Gardens Garden is over 150 years old (1859) and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. There are numerous gardens (Enchanter Garden, Frangipani Garden, and lakes, I went for the National Orchid Garden. It’s the largest display of orchids in the world, with over 1000 species and 2000 hybrids, originating from a breeding program begun in 1928.
Here are some photos of my favorites, ranging in size from 1/2” high to 3” in Diameter.

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The Singapore Flyer is a giant observation wheel that opened in 2008. It has 28 air-conditioned capsules, each accommodates 28 passengers.The Flyer height is 165 meters (541 ft) and was the world's tallest Ferris wheel until the 167.6 m (550 ft) High Roller opened on the Las Vegas Strip in 2014.

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The Singapore MRT uses a "continuous car" design so you can see down the center of the cars as they twist and turn through the tunnels. This video is on a 3 car train. The six car trains (more impressive) are used on busier lines and are crammed with people.