drron29

Map showing the position of the farm at the top left of Singapore. The green area is a military reserve. currently major roads being built plus a new Air Force base. They have patented this system. Some outdoor farming using the land until more systems built. So now it is a long drive by Singapore standards back to the ship. A new metro line being built. An older block of units.

They have connections around the world to develope technology. The Farm stay unit. Way too squeezy. Spare area so they grow some indoor plants for sale. Fish farm. A nearby neighbour has 8 stories of fish farms.

Now came the interesting part of the tour. Intensive agriculture. Some pictures of the set up. And some information. Here was our guide and boss of the farm. A really informative talk and thoughts on the future. They incorporate fish farming on the ground floor of their vegetables. They are looking to incorporate furnished rooms fr fsrm stays -but the demo unit was far too sqeezy. A restaurant is on the plans. Also looking into the feasibility of growing meat. Then taken on a tour of one of the units. Everything is monitored at a central station - temperature, humidity etc. Note the yellow plastic. It is for catching insects on it's sticky surface. Now the simple system for rotating the plants.

We had the old Terraza Menu on the Muse until we reached Singapore on November 8th. But on the Singapore to Carns sector it was the abbreviated version. Despite our warnings one of our trivia team had the Osso buco and it was so tough as to be nearly inedible. I also thought the Lasagna was a poor imitation of that on past cruises.

Harvesting the water hyacinth. Now time to get on the bus and travel to the north west of the island. Not a usual tourist destination.

Officially jealous. Orcas apparently don't like me as they swim in the opposite direction or disappear the day before I am in the area.

We spent the next day in Singapore and we both went on the Lakeside Gardens and Urban Farming Excursion. The lakeside Gardens are on the site of the old Jurong Bird Park which we visited first nearly 50 years ago. It closed in January this year and basically very little remains. It was moved to Mandai near the zoo. The Urban farming part was very interesting and informative. First views from the bus on the way to the Gardens. not surprisingly high rise is predominate. Then an hours walk around the gardens in the heat. Only a small area covered. A few flowers. The lake is still there.

Some more of the night scenes.

Missed some more of the pre dinner activity. The sunset cruise takes off.

Atlantide once more for dinner. for starters Rojaan had the laced king prawn and I the lobster salad. I then had the leek soup. We both had the lobster for main. Rojaan then told the restaurant manager George to sit and have a talk. She must be obeyed. We then had the nights chocolate, blueberry dessert. Back to our room and the night lights.

Sorry but I got a phone call and when i returned too late to get rid of the duplicate photos. So back to the Muse which was being resupplied. Then views from our balcony.

Now to lunch. First the restaurant and a little theatre with the cold towelette. The room is not the same room where we ate last time which was nicer but is now their function centre. The doors in the first photo are to a private dining room which was being used for a family birthday lunch. Now to the menu. There were 2 menus. We chose the shorter one as we just can't eat the same amount as in the past. However we got the 2 starters from the longer menu but still at the shorter menu price. Now the wine list. First by the bottle and a limited by the glass selection. We chose a rose made from Pinot grigio grapes. very nice. Now to the food. The amusee bouche. Lobster, chestnut cake and 5 spice lettuce. All very flavourful. Lovely bread with French butter. Hokkaido scallop. Best scallop I’ve ever had. Than a lilybulb soup. The only let down as bland. Rojaan had the Waygu which just melted in her mouth. Not a great steak eater but she finished before me. I had the duck which was perfect. Then a lovely palate cleanser with apple, ginger and Japanese pineapple. Then desert. Fig on a rum biscuit and cream with lemon sorbet. Delicious. To finish A financier with honey and coconut mochi with a raspberry jelly. Apple doing it's usual trick of inverting some of the photos. fortunately doesn't make much difference with food. Then a visit to our table by Chef Takuya Yamashita. Here he is at another table. Very modest. A great meal and a definite recommendation if you are visiting Singapore.

On the day of arrival we had booked lunch at one of our favourite restaurants - Whitegrass in the Chjimes centre. This area is well worth visiting with several good restaurants and an interesting history. https://chijmes.com.sg/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHIJMES A short taxi ride from the Cruise centre. First a wander around the grounds and buildings acroo the road. First the church. Inside which is now a function centre. I got a few photos before being chased out. The main building. And old buildings across the road. Modern monstrosities surround this oasis. A few orchids throughout the grounds. And we found that since we were last here a year ago Whitegrass has opened a new restaurant. So if you can't get a booking at Whitegrass you can sample food from the same kitchen. Walk ins only. https://chijmes.com.sg/directory/dew-by-whitegrass/

We go around Sentosa island to the dock.

Getting close to the dock. Unfortunately the old Cruise centre not the Marina Cruise Terminal. not quite as much around.

This was the first time we have arrived into Singapore by ship. So different to flying in over the armada lying off the Singaporean coast'

The next morning we were steaming into Singapore. Still dark at ~ 6.30 am. Marina Mirage.

More decorations on my rounds. Entrance to the spa where I was headed to be shorn. Dinner once more in Atlantide. We started with the foie gras terrine. After that i had the tomato soup. I love it. Then Rojaan had the seabass and I the steak Rossini. At least a different vegetable serving. The steak in Atlantide as usual for this cruise was excellent. We passed on the sweets. A couple of Amarulas in the Panorama lounge then back to our suite. Met by the saddest sight you can have on Silversea.

Dinner that night was with our trivia team in Indochine. no menu this time but it hadn't changed. It was however also our wedding anniversary. One member of our team produced this to celebrate. Rojaan had the chicken skewer and the beef char siu. I had the foie gras and chicken Marsala. All dishes were very good. It was a very enjoyable late night. possibly better because that day we had won trivia with a perfect score. The next day was lunch in Kaiseki. As I went to close the curtains for the afternoon nap it was exciting to see another ship.

Having stayed in Pattaya a couple of times at the former Sheraton Pattaya we were used to the massed squid boats. With some special effects. We were now having 2 sea days before reaching Singapore a changeover port. So lunch again at Atlantide. The wine. Rojaan had the spinach and funghi and I the pasta. Then Rojaan had the scaloppine. And I had the meatballs but the picture won't post. They were nice though. Rojaan then had the chocolate pancake and I the cassata.

Back to Atlantide for dinner. The red wine. I had my little vegetable plot followed by the scallop and enoki mushroom soup. I enjoyed both. Rojaan again had the scallops and strawberries so no photo then the mushroom risotto. A bit bland. I had the strip steak. I must say by this time I was getting very tired of the same accompanying veggies on every dish. We both finished with the raspberry delight. It was delightful.

Back in time for lunch at Atlantide. We both had the coconut prawns. Then I had the pappadelle which was good and Rojaan the brisket which was a little dry and no photo. Then the cherry clafoutis to finish.

A sad day. I guess it is also the end of the line for the zodiac Aiello. A doubly sad moment.

We had a talk to Bruno the CD on the Muse. he is in regular touch with Miss Vicki. Unfortunately this news came through on the last day of the voyage so we didn't get his answer. He said that he would be in touch with her. He did say that about 10 days before when he last talked she was very tired with little energy. He felt that she might be having some time out and doubts she would actually leave. He did say though a replacement on the world cruise is likely to be Moss.