Singapore

Singapore:
I didn’t get to tour the city but saw a lot as we drove to the Shangri La hotel for out dinner. The city is very wealthy appearing with lots of modern buildings and high end cars and shops. Singapore made the news in 1994 by “caning” Michael Fay for littering. Singapore’s rules are tough but clear. Jaywalkers are fined on the spot. Litter and you will pay (smokers beware!) and drug peddlers earn a death sentence. There is such little crime that you can walk anywhere at any time and feel safe.
Our round the world reception lived up to its billing. All of the passengers were decked out in their best formal wear and bus after bus took us from the ship to the hotel. A large red carpet was laid out and small children in elaborate clothing threw rose petals at our feet as we approached the first of the large ballrooms we would be in that night. Costumed warriers on stilts, lovely Malaysian dancers, dancers with huge peacock plumes and a Chinese mask magician performed. The magician would perform by blocking his face with his fan and then exposing the mask as all white or all black or half white and black or yellow or red or any combination making it all very mysterious and fun to watch.
We then went into another ballroom for dinner and dancing with a huge band and a Sinatra/Martin type of singer right out of the big band era. Huge chandeliers of crystal and lovely mosaics filled the room. The center pieces rose two or three feet high featuring roses and orchids and greenery.
The president of the cunard line attended the dinner and gave a presentation of the newest ship, the Queen Elizabeth that will be christened later this year. The Queen Elizabeth with be a sister ship of the Queen Victoria and behind the flagship Queen Mary 2. Cunard will then operate the newest fleet of cruise ships in the business.
I was on the first bus back to the ship with my pictures and cough medicine that I bought at the hotel shop and didn’t litter or chew gum the whole time!