Singapore

We had a great morning on our first visit to Singapore. We crossed the causeway by bus, got off to check out of Malaysia, got on another bus, got off to check into Singapore, then got a taxi to the zoo. There are no cages and many primates, including orangutans, are free to roam through the rainforest in the zoo park. We were awed by the white tigers and amused by the antics of the baboons. My college house mate of 1973-74, Cathy, and her husband, Tony, picked us up from the zoo. We had lunch in a rural setting at an open air rustic restaurant and then drove into the city passing block after block of high rise buildings.

We stopped at the famous Raffles Hotel for expensive Singapore Slings. Tony had a pint of beer and that cost £10. We threw our peanut shells on the floor as is the tradition. The picture shows Cathy, Tony and Jeremy in the Long Bar at Raffles. We stayed the night at Cathy and Tony's apartment after being taken to the British Club for dinner, where we ate Shepherd's Pie, Steak and Onion Pie and drank Old Speckled Hen beer. Just what we needed after 3 months of nasi goreng! Thanks Cathy and Tony, we had a great time.
Our next visit to Singapore a few days later was functional. Using buses, trains and a taxi, we collected previously ordered Vetus engine parts from Tripower, a most efficient company. We had time to go to Raffles Marina and enjoy a 3 course meal in the restaurant marquee. Today, Jeremy fitted the new heat exchanger and changed the engine oil. Everything seems to be working, so we intend to check out of Danga Bay Marina on Friday and leave early on Saturday morning for the Straits of Malaka.