15h November - Singapore - Botanical Gardens - Orchids - Changi museum

Friday 15^th November

Another Singapore Day.

We are still very impressed with this big, shiny city, full of technological innovation and greenery.  Trees everywhere – on skyscraper rooftops, in the plentiful parks.

Even the overpasses are earnestly growing a pale variety of bougainvillea.

Yesterday we were VERY busy… We bustled about on buses and trains.

Pete recognised an old Hobart friend on the bus – Geoff Stump from Bay Hire… They were both so happy - hadn't seen each other for at least ten years...

First thing, though – breakfast!  We had fruit juice from a lovely looking fruit stall in Chinatown, then a vey strange mixture of toast and eggs.  Mine had a very delicious addition of strange green jam; Pete’s had weirdo sausages, ham, tomato and baked beans.

Next –on to our hop on/hop off bus on our way to the Botanical Gardens.   We hopped on one, then off at the Miramar Hotel to catch the correct one for the gardens and oh NO… I looked at Pete with sudden despair – I HAVE TO GO!!  And I ran into the hotel, past a startled but soothingly kind concierge, and into the toilets.  Just in time.  Poor Pete was close behind, also in desperate need… Was it the juice?  Or the soft boiled eggs?

We were fine after our slightly frantic time in the Miramar and we very much enjoyed our time in the gardens.  25,000 different orchid varieties – SO fabulous!  I took approx. 25,000 photos…

including this photo taken at one of the many Photo Opportunity points - this time they
provided us with a large mirror as well as a profusion of flowers...

We needed to re-fuel so we had lunch in the city area and then caught trains/taxi out to Pete’s Mecca – Changi War Museum.  He bought Robert Flanagan’s latest book and felt he needed a bit of local Changi history to make it all relevant.  It was a nice, peaceful little museum.  We got there at 4.15 and it closed at 5.00 so the whole experience took from 3-7 to get there and back to the hotel…

Dinner tonight again in Chinatown - cheap and cheerful, on the street.

We were once again EXHAUSTED and needing to sleep.  Today we have a half a day for Singapore Adventures and then back to Johor Bahru to stock up on a few groceries so we will be ready to leave on Saturday.  We have to scrub the boat when we get back so we will once again be BUSY.

PS Todays Lego Land Photo...