Singapore Sauna

Well, the first leg of our trip has been hectic. "Gone Walkabout" means just that! We've walked up and down Orchard Rd several times. It has changed considerably since Peter was last here 40 years ago. Instead of the many smaller businesses it is now mainly a street full of Bluewater type designer, quite expensive shopping malls, thankfully all air-conditioned as we have been melting in the intense humidity.

The Botanical Gardens were fantastic, particularly the orchids, such a variety of colours and species. Naturally, we paid a visit to the Long Bar at Raffles for a gin sling and peanuts, the shells of which have to be ceremoniously dropped on the floor! The hotel still retains its colonial charm and decadence. We have walked round Chinatown at night, sampling dishes at the various stalls, also saw a dragon dance.

We've caught the new Sentosa express (monorail) across to Sentosa Island, the most southerly point of the Asian continent! Walked along to a very quiet beach, spent a couple of hours there. Before we left the island we saw a show on the beach - 'Song of the Sea'. This was a high-tech 'son et lumiere' with lasers, water jets and fireworks. Excellent.

We've enjoyed our stopover here and even had time to enjoy the rooftop pool. Singapore is a very clean, modern city, with people who are very friendly and helpful. There is more than enough to see here in the few days we've had.