Sights Continue

Merloin Fountain at the mouth of the Singapore River.
The River shows buildings of the old ( short ) and the new ( sky scrapers).
The most interesting China Town we have ever seen. It was so clean, neat and gorgeous ! We spent a little time getting Ralphie fitted for dress pants and silk shirts.
Out the back alley the chefs were prepare the garnishes for the evening meals. Most of the veggies were only used to decorate with.
Ralph was so excited to see American Brekky with Sausages on the menu. Weiners arrived!! YUM !!

International Contemp.Visual Arts Exhibition

The Art exhibition was held at various venues that were walking distant apart. This is an old Army Base during World War Two. Many of the old windows and doors of Singapore had metal gates that locked over the wooden ones.
Blackfield, was made of miniature painted etched metal plants that were upright in white sand. The backside was black, giving a scorched effect. This reminder me of Kristy M.'s ( Tanya Thacker's sister) work.
"Tropicana" was done by E.Chan ( living and working in Canada). The sculpture is entirely out of crochet wool. There was much more to the exhibit and was outstanding!
"Maggots" were wonderful ceramic 3 foot creatures placed on the red carpet that led to the courtroom in this wonderful old City Hall.
The original City Hall is now a wonderful gallery with many classes of children viewing the International Exhibition. I was very impressed !

Botanic Gardens-Singapore

Singapore's national flower is a very rare "Vanda Miss Joaquim." It looked like an orchid.
Beautiful sculptures were on ponds, gardens and grass areas. This is the Flight of the Black Swans. It reminded me of the geese in Canada.
The Pouring of Knowledge has a 4 way test : Of the way we think, say, or do.
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to All Concerned?
3. Will it Build Goodwill and Better Friendship?
4. Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?
Each garden had a different theme. I loved the Ginger and Orchids.
The Theatre is in the middle of the gardens with a lily pond around it. The grass slopes upward creating a natural graded seating.

Evening sights - Singapore

Overlooking the bay at Santosa as I'm on a chair lift getting ready to LUGE to the bottom of the hill. FUN!
Songs of the Sea was a beautiful presentation of Water, Lights and Fireworks
The story was depicted around a Malaysia Village that sat over the water.
Singapore River at night was beautiful although they are still trying to clean up the river bed.
The water taxis move up and down the river under 3 bridges. This is entering the Clarke Quay.

Sentosa Island

The gateway to Sentosa Island. This area was once used to hold prisoners of war and is now being turned into a family holiday island.
On a huge hill overlooking the coastline is a very enchanting garden.
Behind the beautiful metal gateway is a mosaic water park that leads to a tower and a huge replica of the Merlion......the same as at the end of the Singapore river.
The 2 towers are situated at the southern most point of Asia.
One of the gorgeous man made beaches are connected to the 2 tower island. It is one of the most popular spots in Singapore as they are also creating a "Universal Studios" from USA.

Signapore

Clarke Quay was our favorite hangout. It was situated by the Singapore River and was the life line to the city
The original Police Station is now the Ministry of Communications and Arts. How would you like the job of cleaning all 890 windows?
The Raffles Hotel is the most famous in Singapore and names claim to the "Singapore Sling". The suites Are $600 to $6000 Canadian per night.
Our hotel...Harbour-Ville was $65 to $155, but the first room we had was too small to get our luggage in ! We had to upgrade !!! ---clean---small---basic but close to everything.
Singapore transportation on a beautiful evening.

As I reflect on the last three months, I am so thankful for friends and family who have kept in touch. Someone asked if we really thought we could travel for a full year. Well, it doesn’t come with a few BUMPS along the way. I’ll just share a few:
- Filling in a front tooth that had to be redone
- bruised ribs from cracking ourselves on the side of a boat trying to get in from a dive
- sinus cold and missing a dive
- 5 consecutive days at a chiropracter
- had to purchase another plane ticket from Sydney to Bali cuz ours were already on the plane without us
- Bali Belly cuz everyone needs that experience as a weight lose program
- Hotel room too small for our suitcases and us
- blowing the budget in Singapore on a new wardrobe we really didn’t think we needed and we have only been gone for 90 days!
- lost 2 days of pictures from Bali but the battery has always been charged.
We are still laughing and the people we have met are incredible; even adopted 2 young Aussie girls in Bali (new daughters). We have tried so many new things…not all good but it is all an experience. Thanks for caring enough about us to check our blog.

Candidasa - north-east of Denpasar , Bali

Our new friends " The Bali Family" Gerard, Bec, Caity, & Marion
Almost anything can be purchased on the roadside.
The Halloween Evening was fun of dancers and Barong which is the White Wizard turning into a mystical creature to fight Rangda , the Bad Spirit.
Roast Pork anyone????

More Halloween dancers to entertain us. The blond is Bec....our other "Aussie daughter"!