Singapore

Hello all

Few days since the last post. Here is a post focusing on Singapore.

We stayed in an Airbnb on the far side of the city in the Bukit Batok region.
Most housing is apartment blocks and all very neatly numbered. We stayed in apartment 125 on floor 10.
To me, Singapore boasts the easiest to use rail system. We arrived out of the airport into the rail terminal and very quickly boarded a train to our new abode.
The following day I asked a station attendant to explain how it worked.
They have the city map. You choose your destination. Press the destination and pay your money. It was that simple. We have seen a few rail systems this year and this one is the easiest.
Everyone talks about how clean Singapore is. This is true in the public space but when you look around hidden recesses and alleyways the story is different.
The great thing is that there are plenty of rubbish bins to use.
This is in stark contrast to South America where rubbish bins are sparse. Hence the litter everywhere.

There are shopping malls everywhere. Air-conditioning and food, cloths and sports gear and off course cellular shopping.
Singapore is in the grip of the pokemon craze. Seriously, this was really incredible and annoying because I did not have a phone too join in with and no one is watching where they were walking. They also walk in lines at a slow pace. People over 50 weren't affected so heavily. The other thing here is the good old selfiestick.  Kids are born with surgical attachments these days to make phones accessible to babies.

Singapore has a very diverse cultural mix. We went into China Town for a look around. All nations represented. Even lots of aussie tourists.
Coming down into the China Town streets.

 Many tourist shop for momentos in these markets.
Most of these articles are mass produced and can be purchased anywhere.
I think Linda bought some silk dressing gowns and a fridge magnet.

There are many interesting buildings in Singapore.

The building above attempts to bring the jungle into the urban space.

Above is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Quite a sight as they have built a ship like structure on it's roof.

Part of the this hotel is connected to a massive shopping complex and the high walk ways to the Gardens by the Bay.

The shopping complex was multi level with water and row boats on the bottom ground level. It even had an ice rink inside beside the main food hall.

The shops in this complex are branded with exclusive items all at exclusive prices.

Linda and I sat there eating, when gradually the place filled with young people all converging on one place. Someone told me there was a Pokemon at that location. I really felt left out.
The Gardens By The Bay, were spectacular....as far as gardens go I guess.

Below is what you see from a distance.

 Below is what you see from a walkway around these structures.

These towers were all covered with living vegetation.  When you look in behind the greenery you see the irrigation system and the planter systems. Very elaborate.

Another part of Singapore is its history.

There is an old part of town which includes a museum of course.

There are many art works around which are very crafty but life like.

Not much explanation required above. Life like and life size.

After 4 nights we were happy to leave Singapore. Very hot and very busy.
Our early train to the airport was delayed due to track maintenance so we had a rushed entry into the air terminal.

We arrived into Perth to cool weather and a cold beer.

Bye for now.
Sam