Come sail with me on a virtual cruise on Majestic Princess to Fiji!

[ellie1145]

1 minute ago, dides said:

There are quite a lot of Prisoner of War records held on Ancestry, also ForcesWarRecords and  FindmyPast   

They all want your money so be careful what you sign up for but the initial search is usually free. It helps if you have unique names of course!

 

Sandra

 

Thank you, Sandra. That’s really helpful. 

[ellie1145]

Our little boat circles the Marina Bay, and we drop some people off at the Marina Bay Sands dock, although we cannot get off as this is a round trip only.

 

 

We pass the iconic flower shaped Art museum as we turn back towards the Merlion.

 

There are numerous luxury hotels en route, such as the Mandarin Oriental.

 

We pass under the Anderson Bridge, built in 1910 and named after Sir John Anderson, Governor of the Straits Settlements.

 

We have turned towards home.

 

 

Edited June 26, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

 

 

 

 

The Cavanagh Bridge, which is the only suspension bridge, and one of the oldest in Singapore is lit up in green. This bridge, opened in 1869,  was once named the Edinburgh Bridge to commemorate the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh, our Queen’s husband. It was later renamed in honour of Major General Orfeur Cavanagh, the last India Appointed Governor of the Straits Settlements. You can still see the arms of the Cavanagh family on the top of the signage at both ends of the bridge.

 

The tall building is the Bank of China.

 

 

We pass under the Elgin Bridge, named after James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, which looks beautiful lit up in red. When Sir Stamford Raffles landed in Singapore and founded the colony he issued instructions to build a wooden bridge across the Singapore River, which was later replaced by an iron bridge. In 1929 the present concrete bridge was built. The cast iron lamps at each end of the bridge were designed by an Italian sculptor.

 

As we return, the sun is setting, and we arrive back at bustling Clarke Quay.

 

 

We are feeling quite tired but we decide to walk back along the river bank to our hotel, as it’s such a beautiful evening.  

 

We walk past brightly lit hotels, and we feel quite safe although it’s dark by now, and the path along the river is dimly lit and almost empty.  That’s the beauty of Singapore, we never feel anxious or unsafe. 

 

It’s a long walk but we complete over 11,000 steps before we reach the hotel and after a quick shower, fall exhaustedly into bed. We’ve enjoyed our day and hope that you have, too.

 

Tomorrow we have another adventure - Sentosa Island!

 

So sleep tight! See you after breakfast, bright eyed and bushy tailed. 

Edited June 26, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

 

FRIDAY, 11TH OCTOBER - SENTOSA

 

Before I start our tour today I’ll give you a little information about Sentosa Island, the ‘Isle of Tranquility’ or ‘The State of Fun,’ which is located off the southern coast of mainland Singapore.

 

 

Despite having been to Singapore twice already, this is the first time we’ve been over to Sentosa, and it really has a lot to offer. We only had time to visit one of the attractions, the Aquarium.

 

Sentosa Island was actually a British military base in the 1880s, with a number of forts built to protect the southern shipping lines. During World War II it was the location of a British Military Fortress, Fort Siloso, and it is here that the famous (or infamous) large calibre guns were located, facing south, in anticipation of a sea assault by the Japanese.

 

The myth has grown up that these guns could not turn and so faced the wrong way. However, we understand that they WERE able to move, but the problem was that they were equipped with armour piercing shells perfect for attacking ships, but useless and ineffective against land bases forces.

 

It got its name when the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board held a naming contest in 1970.

 

The first major project was the building of the cable car service, linking Mount Faber to the island, and much of the development was finished by the mid 1970s. We will be riding the cable car today!

 

Of course, since then, it has continue to grow and develop and now includes 2 Golf Courses and 14 hotels, as well as a large Casino.

 

It includes the following:

 

Madame Tussaud’s

 

I-Fly Singapore - which reaches flying heights of over 56ft

 

Kidzania - an interactive theme park for children aged 4-17

 

Mega Adventure Park - great for those who enjoy thrills, this has one of the longest and steepest zip lines in Asia. It is 450m long and can reach speeds of 50km.  It also has a 3 level 40ft high aerial rope course, and a 50ft high free fall para jump, as well as a 16m rock climbing wall.

 

Sentosa 4-D Adventureland - a 4-D Theatre with an immersive movie, a virtual roller coaster, an interactive shoot-out game, and a 4-D Ride called Haunted Mine.

 

Skyline Luge and Skyride - self steering 3 wheel carts

 

Sentosa Nature Discovery - interactive exhibits and a 1.8km nature walk which runs along the old monorail track.

 

Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom - housing 15,000 live butterflies and 3,000 rare insects.

 

Resorts World Sentosa has at its heart the Universal Studios Theme Park, as well as the SEA Aquarium, Maritime Experiential Museum, The Trick Eye Museum, and the Adventure Cove Water Park.

 

 

And if all that is not enough for you there are 3 artificial beaches made of reclaimed sand - Tanjong Beach, Siloso Beach (where the nightly multimedia and pyrotechnic performance ‘Wings of Time,’ takes place each night), and Palawan Beach, as well as the Sentosa Boardwalk, a covered walkway with travellators, themed gardens, eateries and of course, shops.

 

There is a replica of the Merlion, standing 37m tall, but this is now closed to visitors.

 

HERE ARE THE ATTRACTIONS INCLUDED IN THE SINGAPORE EXPLORER PASS

 

 

Edited June 27, 2020 by ellie1145

[cnd crsr]

Hi Ellie,

Whew... I am exhausted after all of yesterday's adventures. It was great revisiting the museum and experiencing the Battle Box for the first time. The entire day was so educational and then sitting back to relax on the river cruise was a perfect ending to the day. Thank you!

 

Now I am anxious to see what new sites we will encounter on Sentosa Island. We have been there twice and each time have discovered new and exciting  places to explore. Can hardly wait to go through the Aquarium with you!

Gail

[ellie1145]

 

Cable cars, Finding Nemo and Magical Trees

 

Good morning, cruising adventurers. I trust you slept well?

No time for dilly dallying, we’ve got a busy schedule ahead of us so let’s get this show on the road!

 

It’s going to be hot, hot, hot today so don’t forget your sunscreen...

 

We both sleep better but unfortunately I wake with a really bad back, just like the first time we were here. I can hardly move and my back locks up, but luckily I have medication with me, and nothing is going to stop me enjoying today’s adventures. I haven’t been troubled with this condition for over 7 years, and thankfully this is a one-off event and doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of the day.

 

We’re off to Sentosa Island, which has a recent claim to fame as in 2018 it was the location of the N.Korea - US Summit held at the Capella Hotel. It was here that President Trump met the leader of N.Korea, Kim Jong-Un for the first time.

 

It’s a beautiful day, and the view from our bedroom window is stunning. 

 

The view down to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel which is peeping out in the distance.

 

At the bottom left hand corner of this photo you can see where they are building a new Metro station.

Work is progressing well on the new Metro

 

Behind this hotel is the river, which we walked along on our return from Clarke Quay last night.

You can just see the river above the roof top tennis courts on the left hand building. The tower at the back has a beautiful lazy river and pool complex.

 

We make our way down to the restaurant which is busy with people of all nationalities. There is so much choice that I’m sure most tastes are catered for, apart from the pink ‘bacon’ and the ‘Border Force’ sausages, which look no more appetising this morning than they did yesterday.

 

After breakfast we call for a taxi to take us to the cable car station, which comes quickly. We get in the taxi and suddenly I realise I don’t have my phone with me! We tell the driver, who makes a swift circuit back to where we started, and I run back inside the hotel. I have that sinking feeling that I was using it to take photos at breakfast and may have left it on the table. So it’s up to the fourth level and back to the restaurant I go.

 

The lady greeter smiles at me and when I ask her if she’s seen my phone she nods sagely, and steps back to retrieve my errant phone from behind her desk. It’s with great relief that I have it back in my hand, and I thank her profusely.

 

How much we rely on these little pieces of technology. They have become our lifeline. In the ‘old’ days I knew everyone’s telephone number, but with the advent of the iPhone I only know two, mine and my DHs. Add to that the thousands of photos, and the endless messages and ‘WhatsApps,’ and losing it seems a bit of a disaster.

 

Back in the lift I’m soon downstairs and run across the atrium to where our driver is waiting patiently with my DH. I think he’s as relieved as I am, as I’ve had two phones stolen in Italy, and he know how distressing that was to me.

 

The taxi takes us swiftly to the Cable Car Terminus at HarbourFront Station, which is in a tall rise building. Our Explorer Passes prove useful again, and we are soon on our way up in the lift to the cable car entrance. As we exit the lift (elevator) we see Sentosa  Island ahead of us, across a stretch of water, Keppel Harbour.

 

 

 

Edited June 27, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

46 minutes ago, cnd crsr said:

Hi Ellie,

Whew... I am exhausted after all of yesterday's adventures. It was great revisiting the museum and experiencing the Battle Box for the first time. The entire day was so educational and then sitting back to relax on the river cruise was a perfect ending to the day. Thank you!

 

Now I am anxious to see what new sites we will encounter on Sentosa Island. We have been there twice and each time have discovered new and exciting  places to explore. Can hardly wait to go through the Aquarium with you!

Gail

 

Morning! Glad you enjoyed our busy day. Would love to revisit the Museum. There is so much left there to see. 

 

I hope you’re not too exhausted, Gail. We can’t leave without you.🤣

 

Do chip in if you have any thoughts on any of the other activities on Sentosa.

 

See you soon!

 

 

[AF-1]

your pics are great; and they tell a good story.  Thanks for posting this thread.  Cheers

[ellie1145]

26 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

your pics are great; and they tell a good story.  Thanks for posting this thread.  Cheers

Hello there!

 

Glad you are enjoying this thread. Great to have you along.

[ellie1145]

SINGAPORE CABLE CAR

 

The Cable Car is a continuous link, and we wait as a gondola glides past and jump in. There’s nobody else there, so we have the car to ourselves.

 

 

 

Off we go! The gondola sways a bit! Hang onto your hats!

 

Looking back at the Harbour Front Station

 

Huge amounts of building work are going on.

Looking back we can see the skyline of the city in the distance.

Although the gondola sways a bit it’s a smooth ride. The original cable car opened in 1974 and was the first aerial ropeway system to span a harbour.

 

It is an amazing journey, quite spectacular and with lots to see. The island is a little like Disney, with lots of attractions, including a super looking water park that looks pretty empty, not like Disney! Over 20 million people visit it each year. Hard to believe it was once a Japanese prisoner of war camp.

 

We soar over the water park which looks amazingly empty and great fun.

There is a Lazy River, one of my favourite things.

Great flumes which look empty!

The Adventure Cove Water Park has 14 rides and attractions, such as Rip Tide Rocket, Pipeline Plunge and Tidal Twister.

This wave pool looks almost empty, unlike Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach in Florida. There are gigantic aves every 15 minutes! 

 

The gondola comes to a halt and we disembark and make our way down to the next cable car.

Edited June 27, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

SENTOSA STATION

 

Our first stop comes into view, and here we must change cable cars. 

 

 

Sentosa Station

The gondola glides slowly into the station and we hop out.

Hope you are all still with me! 

 

We walk down to find this leafy area.

 

There are fountains and places to sit. It’s cool and shady and beautifully planted, and best of all NO litter!

 

The Imbiah Lookout Station is ahead. This is where we will get our next cable car.

 

 

Edited June 27, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Merlion Station 

 

Are you still with me, cruising adventurers? We just have one more cable car, then the Sentosa Express, and then we are there, at the Aquarium!

 

In case you are thirsty there is a machine offering freshly squeezed orange juice! Just the ticket!

 

These gondolas are very colourful.

Off we go!

 

It’s like flying over the jungle!

 

 

 

Now we must find the Sentosa Express.

[ellie1145]

THE SENTOSA EXPRESS

We get off the gondola at Merlion Station, and outside we find a water feature, and the Merlion which used to be open to the public.

 

 

 

It’s so hot I am tempted to paddle in the water but resist the urge to cool down, but it looks SOOO good!

We make our way to the monorail station, which we can see nearby

 

 

The trains are frequent and very clean, and a bit like Disney. Our next stop is the Aquarium.

 

 

 

We have one stop, Resorts World Station. The trains are very frequent, so we are able to jump on one immediately. It also goes to the beaches, but unfortunately we don’t have time today.

 

Next stop - The Aquarium!

 

 

[ellie1145]

FINDING NEMO.....AND OTHERS.....

 

It’s getting progressively hotter as we disembark from the monorail, which was built at a cost of S$140 million. There are seven cars, each a different colour - yellow, purple, pink, green, red, orange, and blue. Today, ours is orange. 

 

We emerge into a large courtyard, with shops and stalls selling food and souvenirs. 

 

 

There is no litter and fountains play....maybe later I can paddle???

The familiar sign of the Universal Studios’ Globe.

A group of school children are sitting waiting for instructions from their teachers. How well behaved they are. 

 

I think all you intrepid cruising adventurers need a treat.

How about an ice-cream? Go on, you deserve it!

 

DH and I walk across to a shop selling ice creams and each choose our favourite flavour, mine is strawberry, DH’s is vanilla. Oh, it’s SO good, and just what we need in this heat. What’s yours going to be?

 

Hope you aren’t all flagging, we’ve got a lot more to do today!

 

While you are sitting eating your ice creams here are a few interesting facts about Singapore:

 

Singapore has 72 hectares of rooftop gardens and green walls, and aims to triple this by 2030. 

 

Over 47% of the island is covered by greenery

 

More than 80% of households are within a ten minute walk from a park.

 

Singapore recycles over 20% of its waste.

 

Singapore is among the 20 most carbon efficient countries in the world.

 

You can download a bike-sharing app and explore the island via the extensive Park Connector Network which will soon be 300km long.

 

Impressive eh?

Edited June 27, 2020 by ellie1145

[azbirdmom]

Finally had a chance to catch up with the your updates on this thread.  I was looking forward to reliving our fabulous cruise on the Majestic last October but the detour through Singapore has been fantastic!  We were there in January 2019 and stayed two days precruise at the JW Marriott and splurged for one night post cruise at the Marina Bay Sands where we were shocked to be upgraded to a suite.  We are planning on spending three nights precruise in Singapore next April - pandemic permitting.  So it is wonderful to see some of the things that we might want to check out on our next visit.  Looking forward to your next posts!

 

Julie

[ellie1145]

14 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

Finally had a chance to catch up with the your updates on this thread.  I was looking forward to reliving our fabulous cruise on the Majestic last October but the detour through Singapore has been fantastic!  We were there in January 2019 and stayed two days precruise at the JW Marriott and splurged for one night post cruise at the Marina Bay Sands where we were shocked to be upgraded to a suite.  We are planning on spending three nights precruise in Singapore next April - pandemic permitting.  So it is wonderful to see some of the things that we might want to check out on our next visit.  Looking forward to your next posts!

 

Julie

Hello, again, Julie! 

 

I have a confession to make........Singapore isn’t the only detour....😲 there’s Sydney as well.......before we all get on the beautiful Majestic Princess. But I promise, there are some treats in store in Sydney......

 

Hope you can stay the course, or I’m going to feel pretty silly talking to myself......🥴

 

How wonderful to stay at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. On our first trip to Singapore, after we Had sailed on Diamond Princess, our three children and son-in-law all flew out to meet us in Singapore (En route to their holiday in Malaysia and Thailand) and one morning we all went to the MBS hotel for breakfast. It was an amazing experience, and we got to go right to the top of the tower, and see the extraordinary infinity pool. I shall always remember that.

 

Do you have any photos of your suite at the MBS?  How exciting to have been upgraded! 

 

[azbirdmom]

23 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

Hello, again, Julie! 

 

I have a confession to make........Singapore isn’t the only detour....😲 there’s Sydney as well.......before we all get on the beautiful Majestic Princess. But I promise, there are some treats in store in Sydney......

 

Hope you can stay the course, or I’m going to feel pretty silly talking to myself......🥴

 

How wonderful to stay at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. On our first trip to Singapore, after we Had sailed on Diamond Princess, our three children and son-in-law all flew out to meet us in Singapore (En route to their holiday in Malaysia and Thailand) and one morning we all went to the MBS hotel for breakfast. It was an amazing experience, and we got to go right to the top of the tower, and see the extraordinary infinity pool. I shall always remember that.

 

Do you have any photos of your suite at the MBS?  How exciting to have been upgraded! 

 

 

Oh I will stay the course!  And yes, I took quite a few pictures and videos of the suite as well as the pool!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 27, 2020 by azbirdmom

[azbirdmom]

More of the pool and the view of the light show at Gardens by the Bay from one of our two balconies.

 

[ellie1145]

Oh my goodness, Julie, what a suite and what an amazing experience!

 

The views are stupendous, especially of the infinity pool. 

 

You must have been walking on air. Thank you so much for posting the photos.

 

Glad you are hanging on in there! First sign of madness is talking to yourself.........

[azbirdmom]

35 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

Oh my goodness, Julie, what a suite and what an amazing experience!

 

The views are stupendous, especially of the infinity pool. 

 

You must have been walking on air. Thank you so much for posting the photos.

 

Glad you are hanging on in there! First sign of madness is talking to yourself.........

 

No worries, you won't be talking to yourself.  I can't wait to read more, especially since we were on the same cruise.  And yes, that experience was so wonderful that we won't repeat because I don't know if lightning would strike twice and we would be upgraded again.  Kind of hard to go backwards when you've tasted the suite life.  So we have tentative reservations to spend the first night at the Crowne Plaza at the airport so we can explore more of Changi (our flight arrives early evening).  Then on to the JW Marriott for the next two nights.

[ellie1145]

 

FINDING NEMO AND FRIENDS...

 

There’s a short queue outside the Aquarium, and then we’re inside.

 

I haven’t been to a real aquarium for donkey’s years, probably not since I was a child so I’m not sure what to expect, but it is far better than I could have ever anticipated. 

 

It is a 20 acre marine aquarium, which is home to over 100,000  deep sea creatures, and over 1,000 species in total. The exhibits are amazing, fish of all shapes, colours and sizes. We walk from one zone to the next, as there are 50 different habitats. Thankfully, its not too crowded either.

 

I apologise in advance, for the poor quality of the photos, its a combination of only using my iphone and the reflection of the glass of the huge tanks.

 

 

The aquarium is home to a large underwater shipwreck which is home to beautiful and colourful anemones, and the largest collection of manta rays in the world.

 

 

 

There are hammerhead sharks, and giant moray eels, too.

 

You can walk through this glass tunnel and get up close and personal with the sharks.

 

 

[ellie1145]

20 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

 

No worries, you won't be talking to yourself.  I can't wait to read more, especially since we were on the same cruise.  And yes, that experience was so wonderful that we won't repeat because I don't know if lightning would strike twice and we would be upgraded again.  Kind of hard to go backwards when you've tasted the suite life.  So we have tentative reservations to spend the first night at the Crowne Plaza at the airport so we can explore more of Changi (our flight arrives early evening).  Then on to the JW Marriott for the next two nights.

 

Yes, it’s going to be a hard act to follow, staying in a suite in one of the most iconic hotels in the world. But what a thrill to have experienced it, even just the once. 

 

We stayed at the Crowne Plaza, Changi, for one night on our return. We broke our long journey to London Heathrow here. It is a spectacular hotel and the pool area is amazing. If you get the chance do stay there. And do try to see Jewel, it’s really close to the entrance to the hotel. I was blown away by it. 

 

But you’ll have to hang on until we get there to see the photos! 😉 

[azbirdmom]

13 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

 

Yes, it’s going to be a hard act to follow, staying in a suite in one of the most iconic hotels in the world. But what a thrill to have experienced it, even just the once. 

 

We stayed at the Crowne Plaza, Changi, for one night on our return. We broke our long journey to London Heathrow here. It is a spectacular hotel and the pool area is amazing. If you get the chance do stay there. And do try to see Jewel, it’s really close to the entrance to the hotel. I was blown away by it. 

 

But you’ll have to hang on until we get there to see the photos! 😉 

 

Looking forward to seeing that!  Sounds like we made a good choice for our first night.  Also looking forward to the Jewel.  It wasn't open yet when we were last there.

[CrazyIrving]

Thank you Both Julie and Ellie, wonderful photos and a really good learning experience   
 

im still getting drag around with you.  Don’t give up,  I’m enjoying every moment with you.  
 

Looking forward for more,  

 

Nemo is in the dentist office in Sydney. He’ll be fine till we get there. 🤪

 

 

[ellie1145]

4 hours ago, CrazyIrving said:

Thank you Both Julie and Ellie, wonderful photos and a really good learning experience   
 

im still getting drag around with you.  Don’t give up,  I’m enjoying every moment with you.  
 

Looking forward for more,  

 

Nemo is in the dentist office in Sydney. He’ll be fine till we get there. 🤪

 

 

Glad your hanging in there, CrazyIrving!

 

There certainly is more - lots more! 🤣

 

I’m very relieved to hear about Nemo.  After searching through 100,000 fish we are exhausted, so it’s good to know he’s alive and kicking in Sydney, our next stop. 👍😀