(Because we are unable to upload our pictures, this is only a narrative type blog. Our pictures will follow once we get an adequate internet signal).

Thursday, 1/14/2016

A new spin on Singapore by Nelly:

After 5 days on the high sea, we arrived in the busy harbor of Singapore . Many people couldn't wait to get their feet on solid ground. Therefore, we waited until most of the passengers were out and about. Since we had been here last March for a week, we weren’t in a hurry to be greeted by the heat and high humidity. While waiting I thought it would be the perfect time to give a good flossing to my teeth. Plop, there was my bridge in my hand, and it wasn’t the ship’s bridge. I know I have a big mouth but not quiet that big. But now, what should I do? Jim thought superglue would be the answer. But I know better than that, no way Jose, I need a dentist. After a call to the front desk and 10 min. later, I had an appointment with a dentist in downtown Singapore. It turned out that 4 more passengers had a need for a dentist. The more the merrier! It might have been cheaper by the dozen. But no such luck, everyone had to shell out 50 Singapore Dollars, approximately 35 US Dollars for the cab ride to the dental place. Were we ever surprised, when we were ushered into a building, through the lobby of the Orchid Hotel, the exact one we stayed in a year ago . An elevator took us to the second floor where a few offices were located. The second floor also included a posh looking dental office. Was it ever posh and so was the bill. But we all were very satisfied with their prompt service and their very courteous treatment. Even Jim was impressed, because in the waiting room were a bunch of computers, which were accessible to the waiting patients.  Jim was in high heaven, because while we had to wait, he got all his e-mail, Facebook and travel blog done in no time flat. The internet connection was excellent compared to the slow as molasses in winter one at the port. Since we knew our way around in this part of the city we opted to get back to the pier by subway, which cost us a whopping $1.50. Kaye, an Australian who was with us at the dentist, asked us if she could tag along with us. We returned back to the ship just in time before the lunch buffet closed around 2 pm. Yes, Jim was starved. I on the other hand was $400 lighter in the wallet, but the main thing was, that nothing serious was wrong and I could smile again . Also, it is a good thing my bridge decided not to fall out in India or on a forsaken island in the Indian Ocean.

After lunch, a horrendous thunderstorm took place. We couldn’t even see the city anymore. Therefore, we didn’t go back into the city. A good thing we did all the touristy stuff a year ago. Later in the day the sky cleared and the sun peaked out and we were able to take great pictures from the ship even some later at night. That evening, we enjoyed a traditional dancing show in the ship’s Princess theater. The dancers from Singapore were very colorful.

As I write this blog note, it is Friday (1/15/2016) afternoon and we are sailing toward Phuket, Thailand, in the Strait of Malacca, which is one of the most important and busy shipping lanes in the world. There is a lot of traffic going both ways. While walking around the ship this am, Jim said he counted more than 28 ships, all in a row heading in the same direction as we were. Many more were going the opposite direction. It feels almost like this is rush hour on a freeway.

Tomorrow, we will be undertaking an all day tour in Phuket, Thailand, 8:30 am until 5 pm, visiting a bunch of islands including the famous Khao Ping Gun Island also known as the "James Bond Island".

We don’t know, if we have enough time to send out this blog, since the ship leaves at 6pm. Then by Tuesday, Jan. 19, we will see land again in Chennai, India. Let’s see what the situation will be there when it comes to the internet. 




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 Singapore, an island city-state off southern Malaysia, is a global financial centre with a tropical climate and multicultural population of 5.5 million. In circa-1820 Chinatown stands the red-and-gold Buddha’s Tooth Relic Temple, Little India offers colorful souvenirs and Arab Street is lined with fabric shops. Singapore is also known for eclectic street fare, served in hawker centres such as Tiong Bahru and Maxwell Road.