Today we walked over to rent a bike along the esplanade, then biked around the harbor for a couple hours. After lunch we went to Gardens by the Bay to see the magnificent Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. Both were stupendous, mind boggling. Then we walked home and put our feet up to rest for an hour or so. We were pooped! After rest and recovery we headed to Lau Pa Sat for dinner at a hawker market. Last stop was the 30th floor Sky Pool in our hotel for a swim. Great day!
Cumquat tree at our hotel. This is a traditional decoration at the Lunar New Year. Kathy says they were delivered on motorbike in her visit to Vietnam.
An old Chinese temple around the corner from our hotel. Now converted to a museum in a hotel lobby.
Father down the street a real temple hearing up for final festivities of the New Year. The plaque by the door days:
Yueh Hai Ching ("Safe Voyage for the Guangdong People") Temple is Singapore's oldest Teochew temple, built by immigrants from China. Completed in 1855, it comprises twin prayer halls for Mazu and Xuan Tian Shang Di. The building is distinctive for its elaborate roof sculptures.
Yueh Hai Ching Temple is famous for its rooftop decorations. Each one shows a complex scene.
As we walk along we spot a hawker center and stop by. It is pretty deserted, but the most interesting thing is the cricket return -- halal vs non-halal return areas.
Panorama along the Singapore River.
People here are kind. When they see someone taking a selfie they stop and offer to take a photo for you.
Here is the concert hall at the Esplanade Theaters on the Bay. Looks like a durian, eh?
Now we pick up rental bike and ride all the way around the bay. This is Singapore's largest fresh water reservoir -- no swimming!
Next stop, the Merlion. Half lion, half mer-creature. And spouting water. It's quite cute.
A lily pad pong near Gardens by the Bay.
Towards the Merlion from the other side of the bay.
While riding over the barrages you can see many ships out in the harbor. Here is the reminder that Singapore is a free trade zone and a hub of Asia. Kathy reads that average GDP is highest in the world.
Final view of Gardens by the Bay from a distance before we return the bikes and eat lunch. Next we bus over to GbtB for the in-person experience.
From the MRT station were walk through the massive hotel. This is there 40+ story girl buildings all holding up a long multi story building that looks like a cruise ship. It's audacious.
The inside of one of the three buildings holding up the top.
Yeah, it's way way way up there.
Like a three legged anvil.
It's so idyllic here. And though humid, the temps are just in the 80's. Much more temperate than we expected. Yay!
Love the rooftop decorations.
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