Around the World Cruise 2018: 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.