Today is August 9th, Singapore's 58th National Day. Singapore declared Independence after breaking up with Malaysia in 1965. Since then the country has risen from a poor third-world country to one of the richest in the world. Everywhere you go you see high-rises, not just commercial buildings but apartments owned by the citizens. When I first went to the US in 1973 most people have never heard of Singapore. They'd often confused Singapore with Shanghai. Today, when you mention Singapore, everyone has something nice to say - clean, green, financial center, beautiful place, good food, etc. It has become a bright spot, not only for Asia, but the world.
Today is our last day as a group of 11 in Singapore. Tomorrow we will be flying to Taipei, Taiwan, to start the second part of our trip. The young adults spent the night at the Furama hotel. The old adults, together with the 3 kids, started the day with a buffet breakfast at the Rise restaurant. I have eaten at this restaurant many times and I am still impressed every time. The variety and quality of the food is simply amazing.
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| Royalty at the Rise Restaurant |
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| Doris eating laksa |
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| Doris and Esme with a bowl of longan fruits |
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| Watermelon eating contest |
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| Taylor with a special moment with Grandpa |
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| Esme said "I can eat all that!" |
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We are still hungry!
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| These poor people have nothing to eat! |
After breakfast we decided to explore the Marina area. First, we have to walk through the Helix Bridge. This bridge was designed to represent the double-helix of the human DNA. Our goal is to walk towards the Merlion. It was a hot morning and there was not much shade. The kids were starting to get cranky.
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| At the MBS Shopping Center |
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| Group Photo by the Marina Bay |
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| It's so hot. I want some ice-cream! |
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| Another Group Photo |
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| We are finally next to the Merlion |
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| A little help from Grandpa |
We invited some family and friends to the suite to watch the fireworks that evening. This was unplanned. I asked those coming to bring some food because the nearest food court is expensive and not convenient. However, we hit a snag at about 3pm. The security guard told us we can only bring 1 guest to the room. I had to call everyone to cancel.
Then I started having discussions with a more senior security officer. After some posturing we were allowed to bring our guests to the suite. This was turning out to be a fairly big impromptu party, with almost 30 people, and plenty of food and beer.
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| The kids with Grandma Susan |
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| Kids having their own fun |
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| Helicopters flying with the Singapore Flag |
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| Million-dollar view of sunset |
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| We weren't stealing food! |
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| Taylor wants to be invited to Oktoberfest |
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| Learning German from Quirren |
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| Putting on makeup for the big party |
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| Best view for fireworks |
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| Lots of oohs and aaas |
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| There were 2 floor-to-ceiling windows for everyone to see the fireworks |
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| What a gorgeous view of the fireworks and the marina |
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| A Group Thank You to Edward and Alice |
A BIG THANK YOU to Edward and Alice for making this party possible.
It was a beautiful finish to our trip to Singapore. No one was expecting how it would turn out but everyone in that room, including the kids, had a wonderful time.
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| A late-night skinny-dipping in the Infinity Pool |
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| A final farewell to MBS before heading to the airport in the morning |
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