This is our 3rd visit to Singapore as we were here in 2010 and 2013. It is a small island-city-state off the southern Malaysian Peninsula. In fact it is one of the 20 smallest countries counties in the world, being just 20 x 40 miles in size. Just over 4 million people live here with 80% of them living in high rise apartment buildings as there is no other option. 50% are Hindu with the rest being Muslim, Catholic, and Christian. Interestingly, each of the apartment buildings have to all four religions living in them in certain proportions. Singapore was a British colony from 1824 until it gained its independence in 1963 and is now the Republic of Singapore. The early immigrants to Singapore back in early 1800's were Chinese who worked as coolies on docks. Later Indians came. There is very little crime here as punishments are very harsh. For example, bringing drugs into the country and armed robbery are hanging offenses. There is no land for agriculture so all their foodstuffs are imported daily, mostly from Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Fish and meat is also very fresh and brought in from nearby countries. In 2010 we visited the WWII war cemetery of Kranji. What an impressive memorial it is!! The Japanese invaded Singapore in Feb 1941 and the British were forced to surrender 7 days later. 2,000 Indian, British, Australian, and Malaysian soldiers were killed and 80,000 were taken prisoner of war. The POW camp was a hellacious place. The Japanese tortured, starved, and used the POW’s as laborers. Sadly, only 6,000 of the 80,000 POW’s survived their 3 ½ years in captivity before being liberated by American and Australian forces.
Today, Singapore is a global commerce, finance, and transportation hub. Believe it or not, Singapore’s military is the most technologically advanced in Southeast Asia. One of every $4 of government spending is on their military and EVERY able bodied 18 year old male has to serve. Women are also allowed to serve. Singapore has the world’s highest percentage of millionaires, with one out of every 6 households with at least one million US dollars in disposable wealth.
Here is the link to some photos I took back in 2010 when on tour to local market and the Kranji War Cemetery. You will like these photos.
https://goo.gl/photos/cLnLsDvcXoAj9VAP8
WHAT WE DID TODAY:
We left the ship at 9:15 this morning for our "Singapore by Boat, Trishaw, and Raffles Visit". Once again it was a nice bus and lots of room as was only maybe half full. Regent does not cram the tour buses full like other cruise lines. I took over 100 photos today so think I will the captions on the photos tell the story of our tour. It was a FANTASTIC tour.
First let me tell you that Singapore is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is super clean with very little crime. Crime is low because the penalties are very stiff. $200US dollars is fine for jay walking is just one example. Traffic is really not that bad for having 5 million people crammed into this tiny country. The people here generally can speak English. The have to learn their native language (from what ever country their ancestors came from) plus English in school.
As I mentioned this is the beginning of the 4th segment of our world cruise. This means we have to have another life boat safety drill at 5:15 pm for our review and for those 140 or so new passengers that boarded today. Getting REAL tired of them as this will be our 7th one!! They usually take at least 45 minutes minimum. Guess I will wait to shower until after it because this knuckle-headed Captain will probably make us go out on the life boat deck in this awful heat.
No show tonight after dinner. They will be showing "La La Land" movie in theater however. I'm hoping to get today's photos finished and on this post. Since you are sleeping now, maybe I can.
Ok, it is 10:00 pm and I have just finished with the photo link. Here is today's photos.
https://goo.gl/photos/GRUFGQ3e6y7N5pnW7
We sail at 11:00 pm and have another sea day tomorrow. Great dinner tonight!
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