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March 16, 2024
Singapore: Marina Bay Sands


Russell and Gail with our nephew Justin

Our first morning in Singapore featured a very special guest. Russell’s nephew Justin recently took a job transfer that moved him to Singapore. He will be working here for at least the next three years. Next week he will move his family here. In the meantime he has been setting up their new home.

We were able to bring Justin aboard the Viking Neptune for breakfast. Afterwards, we went back to his condominium for a tour.


Justin and Gail enjoy the view from his condominium

In the afternoon, we took the Viking shuttle bus to Marina Bay Sands to go exploring. This integrated resort, opened in 2010, has become the symbol of Singapore’s skyline. It is marked with three gigantic towers, topped by a connecting skyway. It includes a hotel, convention center, casino and shopping mall. (It is the world’s most expensive standalone casino property.)

Gail came here potentially to do some shopping, but it was immediately apparent that the shops were priced for the rich and famous. Still, we were able to go to the food court for some more spicy noodles.


Marina Bay Sands


How lush is this place? You can take a boat ride on an artificial river through the mall!


TWG offers classic (and expensive) British teas


We settled for a cheap lunch of spicy noodles at the food court


Yum! Look what you can buty at the food court! (We did not get this.)

In the evening, Russell escorted the “Singapore After Dark” excursion. Guests boarded a tour boat that took us on a leisurely cruise down Singapore River. Afterwards, we went to the historic Raffles Hotel where the Singapore Sling drink was invented. Finally, we returned to Marina Bay Sands at night, where we were treated to a surprise light and water show.


We took a tour boat down the Singapore River as the sun set


Singapore’s national symbol is the Merlion – half lion and half fish


Juxtaposed against Singapore’s modern skyline are its historic hawker centres, where individual vendors sell local food


Historic Raffles Hotel, where the Singapore Sling drink was invented (as a way to sneak alcoholic drinks to females)


Tourists line up for hours to get into Long Bar just to order a Singapore Sling. Because we were on a tour, we walked right in.


A tradition at Long Bar is that you eat peanuts while drinking your Singapore Sling, then throw the shells on the floor


Our tour included a complimentary Singapore Sling, which normally costs $37 US ($45 with tax)


The grande finale of the evening was an unexpected light show at Marina Bay Sands. These are normally scheduled outside of our excursion time, but this was a private show put on by Porsche.


We are officially in the next sector of our cruise. Our previous lecturers and workshop hosts have departed, and we have a new slate.

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