Sentosa

This morning we attempted to fit everything back into our bags (not an easy task, especially after some shopping in Singapore) and checked out of the hotel. Grace's cousin Winnie and husband picked us up and took us back to their place (where we are staying for a night before going to Malaysia). We got distracted on the way and bought chicken rice which was good since we only ate something really light from a local superette.

They dropped us off at Sentosa (the small island/resort off Singapore). First we walked around the ferry terminal and then up the hill past the musical fountain and the Merlion (the Merlion is a symbol of Singapore's past and present - the mermaid and the lion).


At $8 we decided not to go up the Merlion, especially as there is a viewing tower further up the hill. We went up the tower which rises from the ground and rotates giving a good view over the island, Singapore and out to Indonesia and Malaysia. Andrew then discovered that there was a New Zealand Natural on the island so we HAD to get there! This involved a bus to the beach, then a walk/tram ride along the beach. Yummy ice cream though! Back up the hill and we went through "Images of Sinagpore", a really good museum about Singapore's history. From there we went on Cinemania, a short motion simulator ride, which was ok. After that we decided that we had had enough of the island and left.

Today was National Day in Singapore so it was a public holiday. The Singaporeans are very patriotic and you can see many flags flying from people's balconies. There was a National Parade which was held in the National Stadium, very close to where we are staying. We watched the fireworks display from a field just outside.