Kay suggested we visit the Botanic Hardens so how could we not. It was only nine and warm already but the gardens had a good cover of tall forest trees, local and exotic. We passed by the heliconias first and I got a few tips by watching a gardener thinning out all of last year’s growth. We found and spend over an hour in the orchid house and could have easily spent double that. What a display. I’ve got lots of ideas for home and will be kicking myself that I took too many photos to remind me of the work I have to do. We took a bumboat trip up and down the Singapore River and later walked down Boat Quay which Kay’s friend, Andrew, suggested we do. All of his tips have been spot on! Killed a few hours before flying out around midnight. Paris here we come.
Kranji War Cemetery
With a thunderstorm threatening, we took a taxi to Kranji War Cemetery in the north of the island. In 1942, Kranji was where the Australian forces defended against the Japanese invasion across the narrow strait to Malaysia. We came to visit the grave of Albert (Blondie) Sargent who was a member of “Z” Special Forces in WW 11. Operation Rimau was to sink Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour, but unlike the previous successful raid by “Z” Force, this one was detected. All were killed, or made their escape and were later captured. Lt Albert Sargent was one of the latter, and was executed not far from the site of the Kranji Cemetery, on 7th July, 1945, not long before the end of the war.
Malay gardeners were tending the neat lawns and one showed us to his grave which was next to the other nine Australian soldiers executed that day. We paused for a while until the dark blue and grey clouds hanging low over the low hill, emptied. (see photo)
Sim City 2011
Last night we walked to Marina Bay and were awestruck by the magnificent architecture of the buildings in this area of the city. The standout is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. (see Photo) The foyer reminded me of something out of a Star Wars film and Sharon half expected a wooki to come out of the elevator. We took in the sights of Singapore from the bow of the ship on the roof and couldn’t help thinking we were in some real life Sim City construction site. Sharon even forgot her bad knees. We bought the most expensive beer and wine in our lives to help fund this unreal development.