Crossing the Pacific 1 – Singapore

So how big is the Pacific Ocean? Bigger than the planet Mars. The world’s total land mass would fit in the Pacific with 17,000,000 sq. kilometers to spare. It covers 32% of the planet’s surface area and 46% of the Earth’s water surface. That is pretty darn big!

We crossed it twice. Once by air west to Singapore and then by cruise ship east to Hawaii via Australia. Google says it was more than 46,000 km of travel from our home near Ottawa! The circumference of the world is only 40,000 km. Hard to believe!

We loved it. After spending the winter in Nuevo Vallarta MX, we flew to Singapore. The flight from Los Angeles was 17.5 hours but on one of the best rated airlines in the world. We took some melatonin, slept for 4 to 5 hours and arrived relatively refreshed – 2 days later. Dave had lots of leg room, Marie not so much. The attendants on Singapore Airlines actually run, they are so intent on providing good service.

Our first impression of Singapore was the hundreds of freighters at anchor in the bay. Next the quick processing through immigration and customs. Singapore like many other countries now requires an Electronic Travel Authorization where they vet your passport details in advance. We were through and on our way by taxi within 30 min. of landing.

Our apartment hotel was just a few blocks from Orchard Road, the upscale shopping street of Asia and right next to a Buddhist temple. Our room had a small balcony and kitchenette. It was adequate but noisy at times. We were treated well by the hosts there.

After picking up some groceries, we walked along the picturesque Singapore River and found our way to China Town. The shopping was great as well as the people watching, the colour and the beer.

Over the ensuing 5 days we discovered the extensive underground transit system and used it to explore the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Little India, the Botanical and Orchard Gardens, endless shopping concourses and numerous outdoor food hawkers selling every kind of (cheaply priced) Asian food. We particularly enjoyed satay (chicken skewers with peanut sauce). Yum!

Did we mention how hot it was there? At just a few degrees above the equator, it was impossible to go out between 1 and 3 pm. Everyone uses a sun umbrella – one lined with a thick lining. We bought one!

Near the end of our stay we went to Raffles Hotel for a Singapore sling iconic experience!

We moved on to see the Merlion monument- half fish half lion across from the Marina Bay Sands.

Finally we attended Mass at a local church. It was a beautiful experience.

Our impressions of Singapore: exotic, beautiful, rich, modern, hot and very Asian! We were now ready to catch our cruise ship to Australia.