Arrived at Singapore Cruise Terminal at 6.30 am as the sun was rising. This modern city was founded in 1819 as a British trading post for the East India Company. It lies at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.
It lies one degree north of the equator so the climate is hot and humid with temperatures ranging between 18C and 34C.
Population today is over 5 million and it is a modern multi-cultural city where English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil are spoken.
We decided to do a 20 minute walk to the Gardens but the Bay. It with a covered pathway for the first 20 minutes but after Crossingthe highway we needed to use the an uncovered footpath and it was extremely muggy. We were both sweating profusely by the time we reached the gardens and felt and looked like we'd been in a sauna.
When we walked into the garden area the spectacular Supertree Grove and the Skyway walk was well worth the "hard yards"- metres we'd walked. The Supertree Grove consists of 11 manmade structures which look like giant futuristic trees stretching high into the sky. Dramatic vertical plant displays are being grown up the cylindrical walls of the " trees" and the floral display has is a huge variety of plant, vine and leaf species, different hues and perfume. Inside the tree trunks are emergency spiral staircases and a lift. We bought lift tickets and really enjoyed the walk around the curved 22 metre high Skyway platform which is suspended between two of the Skytrees.
The bird,s-eye views across the bay and over the city were spectacular and the cool breeze at 22 metres was refreshing and rejuvenating. Apparently at nightfall , the Supertrees come to life with a light and sound show at 6.45 and 8.45 pm. We had hoped to see this as our ship sailed away but we left at 6 pm before nightfall.
Next we bought tickets to visit 2 huge glass domes: The Majestic Cloud Forest Consernatory Dome and the World's largest greenhouse Flower Dome. What an even more pleasant relief from the heat and humidity, both of these domes proved to be for the next few hours.
We entered the Cloud Dome and were immediately dwarfed and overawed by a massive tropical 35 metre manmade mountain with a series of waterfalls which cascaded down and over lush ferns and colourful orchids of numerous sizes and brilliant colours.
The mists created by the waterfall swirled and rose to the heights of the dome and created a refreshingly, crisp, cool mountain-like atmosphere within the dome during our entire time of exploring the multi storey floors within this tropical mountain montage.
Each floor was reached by either escalators or suspended walkways and as we asceded and later descended we looked down upon intertwined varieties of tropical ferns, vines, mushrooms, orchards, flowers and mosses. (More flower pictures in separate "flower: blog)
It was so overwhelming to see such a variety of design, texture and colours and to once more affirm what an imaginative, creative and surprising designer we have in our Creator, God. We marvelled at the intricacy of his design of the tiniest orchard that we viewed through a magnifying glass to the massive elephant-ears leaves on tropical trees that towered over us as we passed by. We also saw a great variety of rex begonias with their attractive foliage in varying shades of greens, bronze, silver, red and purple and variations or patterns of stripes, spots and streaks. There begonia display included species with leaves which were waxy or velvet-like or hairy in their texture appearance.
On the basement floor of the Cloud Dome was a display of huge stalectites and stalecmites which to Ken's horror had been removed from a cave system: these calcite structures have taken thousands of years to form in caves but now they are forever "lost" to further grown in their inert abode . Committed speleologist would be horrified to see them at the mercy of tourists hand- for we saw several people rub their hands across the specimens, leaving stains on the delicate surface. The only consolation is that maybe these monoliths were saved from a system that was flooded in the building of the 3 Gorges Dam in China and are now on display for all to share.
Enough philosophy! Please enjoy looking at some of the beauty of the flora of the Cloud Dome photographs?
We ventured out of the Cloud Dome and into the Singaporean humidity (50% today) for a brief walk to the Flower Dome. It is the largest conservatory in the world and it has a very colourful display of trees, shrubs and flowers from many countries, including Australia.
It was cooler inside than in the open parkland outside and we were able to wander freely amongst thousand-year old olive trees, of the cool- dry Mediterranean to the unusual bottle shape Baobab trees of Australia's sub tropical areas regions to the spikey palms of the desert areas in Northern Africa.
There was even "an underwater-type display" created with colourful floral displays of orchards, succulents, roses and begonias and other flowers. Plastic models of sea creatures such as clams, octopus, fish and sharks were also part of this floral-sea display.
We had nnever before seen such a vast display and variety of blooms of all shapes and colours in one building at one time so the whole experience was both mind boggling and breath taking. We hope you enjoy our photo shoots. Enjoy these shots too.
After several hours we headed for lunch at a nearby shopping mall. We had not realised that it was Father,s Day in Singapore so the food court was crowded. We had to search for a table after buying prawn and noodle soup (a meal in a bowl)
Later we were able to buy Ken a pair of Teva sandals for $75 - Joy had misgotten (like the new word) to pack Ken's sandals . Teva sandals are very sturdy, comfortable and light and at least $180 in Australia so we were pleased. His old Tevas at home are at least 15 years old so these should last until we're in our late 80's and then we may not be climbing rugged terrain 
as often as today.
as often as today.
We headed "home" to our private yatch by taxi after a very memorable, hot but enjoyable Sinapore adventure.
We are both well, usually walk 1-2 km around the ship at 6am most mornings, have made some good friends with fellow guests and crew.
Our Bible Study 
sessions on sea days are attended by 38 people and there are good discussions and fellowship at these hour sessions.
sessions on sea days are attended by 38 people and there are good discussions and fellowship at these hour sessions.
We have watched 2 live Aussie matches of the World Cup on the massive outdoor screen so far and a mighty roar goes up from the ship!s top deck when Australia scores or nearly scores. They've sure played well against both teams so far.
Regards
Joy
