Singapore Jan 8, 2012

Today we disembarked from the Zaandam in Singapore. This island nation of 4 .5 million is one of the cleanest, well run places I have ever been. I know they are strict - no gum, crazy import fees for cigarettes, no graffiti and you get jailed for jay walking. No Kidding. We were standing for about 5 minutes at a light waiting for the little map to turn green, there no cars anywhere and yet the 5 or so young men standing with us refused to cross until it was green. Was so weird. they were literally afraid to get caught. We are staying at the V Hotel lavender just above the Mrt station. great location and free wifi but the tiniest room you ever saw. Can almost touch each wall at the same time. Still we are never here except to sleep. Mastered the Mrt or mass transit immediately and it is awesome. So easy to get around . the first place we went was to Raffles Hotel. I used to love to read Somerset Maugham as a high schooler and I knew how he came here to write and hang out. Was so cool to finally see it. the hotel is as beautiful.as I wanted it to be. about 100 years old with ceiling fans and a guy dressed as a ancient pasha who greets the guests. gorgeous gardens and even a museum detailing the famous people who stayed here from Kipling
to Noel Coward.
We Walked around the historic areas though it had started to,drizzle and then rain. Late lunch at a street vendor. not too sure what we ate but was good . In the evening we took the train and a bus to the zoo, to their Night Safari. this was one of the best zoo experiences I have ever had. They open when it gets dark. there is a fire show with Borneo fire eaters and then an animal show with some trained nocturnal animals. Then a tram ride through the rainforest past many many different mammals from Malayan tigers to sloth bears and lions to a
L kinds of cattle and deer and antelope. Many animals I had never heard of. It really was a different experience. funni
Y enough as we exited we ran into some of our friends from the ship who happened to get there and finish when we did. such a small world.