This morning we hopped on the 7 hour flight from Osaka to Singapore. We discovered that is just about how long it takes of us to get into trouble!! While in Japan, the Optimist was super excited about buying some ninja stars. At a tourist shop in Osaka, we did just that - although they were the $4 toy version of ninja stars. When we landed in Singapore, we collected our luggage and were preparing to exit when we were selected to have our luggage scanned. Imagine our surprise when the guard asked us to follow him to the police station as we had illegal weapons in our luggage! In the end, we were held for 45 minutes until the police came and wrote up a report on the incident. They seized the toy ninja stars, and made me sign a paper apprising me of future harsh consequences should I ever again import "contraband." As serious as the situation was, we were grateful for their kindness too. They understood they were toys, but they were bound by their rules. One guard kept saying to the Optimist, "don't cry. please don't cry." You could tell he knew he had just taken candy away from a kid! So -- no ninja stars, but they did let us take a parting picture.
Check out the reflection in the mirror. Do you think they were enjoying this as much as I was? :)
...but we went with this instead.
Singapore is an amazing city of more than 5 million people. We arrived on a historic day. Only hours before, Singapore's founding father, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew passed away. The legacy of his vision was evident in everything we learned and saw. His transformation of this almost unknown country into a global financial center and attractive tourist hub is remarkable. While some of the rules and regulations put in place to accomplish this were surprising - even shocking - we were anxious to explore this wonderful city and learn more.
None of us had been here before. As this country had not been part of our world history studies, we didn't even realize that English was the first language! That made it so much simpler when we got arrested! After weeks of traveling in Asia, it was a welcome break to not have communication barriers. We were immediately struck by the cleanliness of the city and the considerable effort that has recently been made to improve the infrastructure and attractiveness of the area. The government is so adamant about cleanliness that chewing gum is illegal. You cannot purchase it and you cannot chew it! That's a rule I could live with, but NoFear was not impressed!
The construction is truly remarkable! Pictured below is the Marina Bay Sands hotel. This structure is built out over the harbor. The entire top of the hotel is a massive infinity pool. Gambling is illegal in Singapore for residents, but apparently foreigners can gamble to their heart's content.
We felt completely safe as we wandered around the city. Street crime is almost unheard of in Singapore as the penalty for many offenses is death. For example, if you discharge a weapon in Singapore, even for target practice, you are put to death. Almost all weapons are banned. Also, for a highly populated city condensed into such a small area, there are virtually no traffic problems. This is because the government imposes a massive automobile tax to purchase a vehicle. The certificate alone that gives you the right to buy a vehicle has a price tag starting at $65,000. After that, the vehicle is is typically four times the cost of the same vehicle here because of extraordinarily high import taxes. Bottom line, Singapore doesn't want pollution and it doesn't want traffic problems, so the government makes owning a vehicle so out of reach for most people that neither is a problem. Our guide told us he travels quite well via BMW - Bus, Mass Transit (train), and Walking. We saw our first private car elevator in Singapore next to our hotel. An apartment high rise had an elevator door, the owner drives in, the elevator rises, the owner exits the elevator into his personal high rise parking spot connected to his apartment, and the elevator returns to the street level. Pretty cool.
We headed to Gardens By The Bay where we toured Cloud Forest. This area is filled with "Supertrees" that are part of a nightly light show. Out of respect for the death of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the light show was suspended, but the Supertrees were still pretty impressive.
Cloud Forest is a series of indoor gardens. The boys humored me by touring the tulip show.
I thought it was spectacular!
Check out the reflection in the mirror. Do you think they were enjoying this as much as I was? :)
Fortunately, they can find fun anywhere!
Jump and slide!
Narnia anyone?
We decided it would be fun to get a view of the sights from the water so we headed to the harbor. The Optimist voted for this mode of transportation...
The duck tours took us through the historic part of the city on land and then into the water for a close up of the harbor venues.
The Singapore Flyer - built to be the tallest ferris wheel in the world - that only lasted a few months until a taller structure was built in Las Vegas. Second tallest is still pretty impressive.
A view from the harbor of Cloud Forest and Supertree Grove.
The national symbol of Singapore, the Merlion - part mermaid, part lion.
Well, Singapore is certainly a country known for strictly implementing rules. It wouldn’t be labeled as ‘fine’ city for nothing. Though I'm glad that the officers who arrested you understood that those are just toys, and all you have to do is to leave it to them to get off the case. Despite of that little mishap, it seems like you all had fun with your tour in this beautiful country. I'm sure the kids had forgotten about those ninja stars soon as they saw the wonderful places you have visited. :-)
ReplyDeleteEliseo Weinstein @ JRs Bail Bond