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| Tilly, Taashi and Natalie on the MRT |
We don't know how anyone could get used to the heat in Singapore. It's knocked as all around a bit - but in saying that we have been pounding the pavement and taking in the sights. Glenn has perfected using the MRT (Mass Rail Transport) System and so we are getting around using the trains and buses like all the locals. It's the best way with kids in tow - it's airconditioned, clean and quick and they love putting the money into the ticket machines and pushing all the buttons to select the right stations etc. At the end of the day you can return your tickets (which are actually plastic cards) and get a dollar refund for each one so the girls make sure we do that too!
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| The MRT Singapore |
We've taken in the Singapore river area of Clark Quay (it's as brown as the Yarra River in Melbourne) and walked the streets of Chinatown. Nataile (the girls 12yr old cousin) was our guide and she took us right into the heart of it all. The local vendors with animal horns in the windows, the market like stalls and the red lanterns hanging above all the streets. A fabulous people watching place. We were amazed by the Chinese and Indian temples and the mosques with their fancy colourful architecture and statues. Chinatown lived up to all of our expectations.
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| The Girls in Chinatown |
The island of Sentosa, on the other hand, couldn't have been any more different. With it's HOT, white, man made beaches in a resort setting overlooking oil refineries and shipping lanes it was a sight to see. Despite being 'hotter than I've ever been in my whole life' - Tilly's words - we had a blast riding on the beach trolley tram, climbing the mosaic mythological Chinese monster fountain up to the BIG Merlion Statue and catching the Cable Car back to the MRT station. It was FUN and the despite the heat and the fact that by the end of it the girls were shattered (and so were we) we all really enjoyed the day.
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| Sentosa's White Sands and Tanker Ships |
Last night was a highlight for us all - we went to the World Famous Singapore Night Zoo. A must for anyone heading to Singapore, it starts at 7pm with a fire twirling show before you head through the gates and off down the night trail walks to view all the animals. Our favourite were the Fishing Cats who pounce into the water to catch fish. Despite watching them for ages, each time we thought they were going to catch a fish they would settle back down again. The tram ride around the zoo was also a huge highlight - especially for the girls as they got to see the new baby elephant. The fact that it was at night was a huge bonus - I sound like a whinger when it comes to the heat but it's just so hot and walking around the zoo at night was a pleasant relief! We caught the bus and MRT home again, walking from the station at midnight. One thing I'll give Singapore, it is such a safe place to visit and we had no reservations at all about walking home alone down unfamiliar streets in the middle of the night . . . What I think we have done right is to have a great big day out sightseeing and then a rest day and to keep doing it this way. If we hadn't I think the girls would be a right royal mess!
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| Singapore Traffic Jam |
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| At the Merlion on Sentosa |
