Phuket, Thailand

Our last port in Thailand was the island of Phuket, often called the "Pearl of the Andaman Sea."  We only had 6 hours to enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches and Buddhist temples that are plentiful on the island.

Tendering from the ship to Patong at 8 am

A Buddhist shrine surrounded by hundreds of elephants at Promthep Cape

View from Promthep Cape in the southern part of the island

Fish flip flops for sale in the souvenir shops

Buddha statue on the top of the highest hill on Phuket

Buddhist temple complex at Wat Chalong

New temple under construction at Wat Chalong

Main temple at Wat Chalong

Buddha statues inside the first level of the main temple

Statue and Buddha relic at the top floor of the temple

Posing with the elephant statues at Wat Chalong

Another temple at Wat Chalong 

Gasoline for sale along the street
in small glass bottles
(maybe a convenience for motorcycles)

Lots of people enjoying the Patong  Beach

George Town (Penang) Malaysia

Our last stop in Malaysia is the city of George Town on Penang island.  George Town is the 2nd largest city in Malaysia (after Kuala Lumpur) and is known for its British colonial buildings, street art, Chinese shophouses and mosques.  During our 2 hour bus ride around the city center, we saw many different houses of worship: Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic, and Protestant.  Trishaws are a common way for tourists to see the city sights.  Famous show designer, Jimmy Choo, is from here.

Street markets in George Town

Islamic mosque

Buddhist temple

Sri Mahamariamman Hindu temple

Buddhist monk "blessing" a motorcycle 

Christian church

a trishaw used to give rides to tourists

Street sign showing where Jimmy Choo first worked

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Docked at Port Klang and took coach into KL.  Traffic was VERY busy...it took over 2 hours to travel 20 miles into KL, as we hit rush hour and it was raining.  Once in the city, we walked through the Chinatown market, where "knock-offs" were being sold (purses, watches, electronics).  Didn't go into any temples, as we would have had to remove our shoes and it was raining.  Spent time in the Central Market, where a nice selection of quality merchandise was being sold. Currency is the Malaysian Ringghit (4 Ringghit = $1 US)

Petronas Twin Towers was the highlight of this tour.  We were able to go to the bridge (level 41), then up to floor 86 for panoramic views of the city. The towers are over 1500 feet tall and have 88 floors. Designed by Cesar Pelli and constructed of stainless steel and glass. One tower built by a Japanese company, other by a South Korean company.  Named for the national oil company of Malaysia, which helped finance construction.

Chinatown market in Kuala Lumpur

dried octopus and squid for sale in the market

Goods for sale in the KL Central Market

Lots of Batik and Indian clothing in the market

View from floor 41 (bridge) of the Petronas Twin Towers

View from floor 86 of the 1500 foot tall Petronas Tower

Petronas Tower is taller than the
KL tower in the background

Beautiful administration building near
Independence Square

On the bridge (floor 41) of the Petronas towers

outside the Petronas Twin Towers in KL

KL train station

Singapore

Singapore is a small island nation located just south of the Malaysian peninsula. With 5.6 million people living in just 236 square miles (23 miles by 14 miles), it is the most prosperous of the southeast Asian countries.  A British colony from 1819-1942, then again from 1946-1959 (it was invaded by Japan during WWII), it has no natural resources and no manufacturing.  It mainly serves as a "middle man" for petroleum refining and shipping.

Singapore is a global financial center and has an ethnically diverse population:  74% Chinese, 14% Malay, 8% Indian, 5% Eurasian. All males are required to serve 2 years of military service.  It is known as the "fine" state, since it has very restrictive laws and levies large fines to those who break the rules.  You can be fined or disciplined for chewing gum, spitting on the street, jay walking, using/selling drugs, gambling (other than in the 2 legal casinos), or criticizing race or religion in the media.  There are sensors under the streets that monitor where all registered cars travel.

Perhaps because of the strict code of conduct, Singapore is the safest, cleanest, most modern, and well-run country in southeast Asia.  You don't see any laundry hanging outside of windows to dry (a common site in all other countries we visited), there is no litter anywhere, public gardens are beautiful, the shopping malls are gorgeous and everything looks new.   A spectacular country!

Day 1: we toured the Muslim area (Arab St), Little India and Chinatown.  Each neighborhood had its own places of worship, markets and heritage centers.  A great way to see the multiculturalism of Singapore.  Had an Asian buffet lunch that included roti prata, a grilled flatbread filled with cheese and onions.

Day 2: we took a boat ride on the Singapore River, went up to the Skydeck of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel to get a panoramic view of the island, then visited the Gardens by the Bay to see Flower Dome and the futuristic supertrees that are illuminated at night.

Islamic mosque on Arab St

Cafe on Arab St

Shop houses (store on 1st floor, living quarters on 2nd)

Market in Little India

Sari store in Little India

Hindu statues for sale in Little India

Buddhist temple in Chinatown

Souvenir stores in Chinatown 

Playing checkers at park in Chinatown

Prudential carnival near the dock

Beautiful mall at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Lights near Gardens by the Bay

Marina Bay Sands Hotel lit up at night

Along the Singapore River

Sculpture by the river

The Singapura Merlion

View from the river cruise

River cruise left from Clarke Quay

View of Flower Dome and Cloud Forest from
top of Marina Bay Sands skydeck

View of the affinity pool atop the skydeck

Looking down from the Marina Bay Sands Skydeck

Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome

Flower Dome