SINGAPORE

2 slow, calm days at sea from Vietnam.

SINGAPORE - day 47 -very close to the equator so temps are hot and humid.  Located off the southern tip of Malaysian peninsula, between the North China Sea and the Indian Ocean. Pop 5.3 million. Singapore is made up of 59 islands.  Home of Raffles Hotel and the famed Singapore Sling which costs $28 plus tax in The Long Bar in Raffles Hotel.   In 1915 etiquette dictated that ladies could not drink alcohol in publc so a cocktail that looked like fruit juice but contained clear alcohol was invented as a way for the ladies to have a cocktail with their escorts.  Thus, the Singapore Sling became a socially accepted punch for the ladies.  There is also a dress code to go to the Long Bar - no shorts or flip flops.  $1 US is about $1.4 Singapore.  Chewing gum, jaywalking, and failing to flush the toilet are against the law and can incur hefty fines.  The Great Singapore Duck Race, an event that raises funds for charity, set a new world record when more than 123k toy ducks floated on the Singapore River .  The symbol of Singapore is a creature know as a merlion, a beast that's half fish and half lion.

We did the hop on hop off bus - there are 5 different routes but we only had time to complete 2.  There are a lot of awesome buildings throughout the city.  Prices are high - many houses are over $25 million US.  80% of the citizens live in government housing which average
$300k.

In order to buy a new car you must apply for a permit which can end up costing $50k before you even step into a dealership.  A car must be deleted from the country's inventory before a permit can be issued.  As a result, Singapore exports more used cars than any other country except Japan.  The permit is only good for 10 years.

There is a 73 story hotel which hosts a perpendicular marathon every year.  They average 2000 entrants and the fastest time is under 7 minutes.

We found out that there really isn't a dress code in the Long Bar at Raffles.  Len wore shorts and,  of course, we had to test them.  When we were welcomed, we splurged and had a Singapore Sling and a beer.  They have peanuts in the shell on all the tables and you are expected to throw the shells on the floor.  The hotel has just over 100 suites and you're not allowed in the lobby unless you are staying ($1400./night).

Pictures - 1 - The iconic Marina Sands hotel - the structure on top is an observation deck for the general public and a water park for guests.
2 & 3 - a sample of some of their interesting buildings
4 - Len enjoying peanuts in the Long Bar