In continuation, today was going to be a full day exploring some of the districts (shopping), using the MTR (subway) to get around. One really needs at least four nights in Singapore to see all the main sights.

After breakfast we laid out our itinerary for the day, and with Passport, Ship ID, Government photo ID, thumb and eye scan followed by X-ray of bags we were off and running; the ship’s shuttle waiting for us after the Singaporean Inquisition. We were dropped off at the Marina Bay Convention Center, already familiar with finding our way through the underground.

Evidence of a Singapore settlement goes back to the 14th century, but its recognition appeared around the 1600’s as a trading port for spices. Spices were the commodity of the wealthy and Singapore was central to it all. Around 1819, British statesman Stamford Raffles (yes, The Raffles) negotiated a treaty with the Johor Sultanate to establish a trading port there— and so it began. Several cultures: Chinese, Indian, Middle eastern, Malaysian & the British lived side by side and these districts still exist to this day. The real modernization began with Lee Kwan Yew, who was the first Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. This is who I was trying to find— Thank you Allan. I don’t think I have seen another city adapt so readily and so quickly to the changing times and Singapore appears to be one step ahead of those changes.

Take the MTR for that matter. The layout is so logical, the efficiency so effortless and the technology so adaptive. All one needs to do is tap a smartphone wallet to the turnstile as you enter and tap it again as you leave. There is no visible security, no platform or train conductors. There is usually a station attendant sitting on a stool for assistance–only if you can pry them away from their phone. The trains are fast, informative, comfortable and information rich.

But just before the turnstile I was confronted by a sweeping robot, who warned me (In English) too, “Watch out!” Just wait until I tell Alexa about this! She’ll have something to say about that….

You really can’t get lost if you tried and the MTR is the way to travel in Singapore. The underground is cool, clean and the fares seem to be $2.95/person/ride. Just do not eat, smoke, drink, carry flammable goods or Durian Fruit into the MTR.

Our first stop was Bugis, where galleries and malls are strung together; not the US type of Galleries or Malls, but of the types I described in Melbourne, AU. The architecture in this district is old and new, where splashes of color render every alleyway or building into art.

Bugis did not disappoint. This is not the place for fine antiquities or dusty century old treasures. This is the place for cheap stuff— everyday wear stuff and food stalls. This is where the Singapore shop and tourists go for bags, tee shirts, dresses, electronics, perfumes… STUFF!

From Bugis we walked for about thirty minutes and stumbled upon Arab Street— another of the districts we were searching for. We could have spent a couple of days here

We did not get one block in before we entering a Middle Eastern shop lined with rugs, scarves, Moroccan lamps, pillow covers, etc. and the street is lined with these shops that measure 15’ x 40’.

I think Meredith was here for about thirty minutes. The owner gave her a little poof to sit on where she could sort through the scarves

There are restaurants, dress shops, fabrics, spice stores, side streets that lure you down them and the smells and culture take you there.

We walked the streets and side streets, taking in the air filled with middle eastern spices and admiring (drooling over) the many cafes, shops, restaurants and goods. Like I said, we needed at least four days in Singapore to explore every nook and crevice.

Along the way we passed a hair stylist shop called John’s Salon. The stylists inside looked hip, the place pumping some good music and I desperately needed a hair cur after being onboard for a month. What could go wrong? Nothing! This was truly the best cut of my life and so relaxing with a shampoo and head massage for a mere $20 (which included a handsome tip). I wrote them a spectacular review on Google of which they thanked and welcomed me back any time. The flight from FL to Singapore was going to be an issue.

From here we got back onto the Blue Line and headed to little India. The MTR is a portal transporting you to a different culture. We found ourselves in front of the Tekka Centre, which a local told us about.

This was a two story building where the ground floor was all produce, fish, meats and perishables.

The upstairs was an overwhelming and beautiful assemblage of gowns and formal wear, tee-shirts and costume jewelry.

There tailors and seamstresses were making and altering. Overall it was spectacularly …… HOT! I mean Attic hot in August Florida Attic hot! We had to get to ground level and duck into a spice store, where Meredith sat down on a stool in front of the cold drink cabinets. The owners behind the counter were eyeballing us as they were taking care of customers, so to stall for time I asked where the curries were. A customer who spoke English showed me where the curry was and I proceeded to buy a kilo of it to stall for time. The gentleman who helped me was a little concerned for Meredith and kept an eye on her. He followed us out of the store and pointed us to a taxi stand so we could get back to the ship more quickly.

However, I recognized the onset of heat stroke and had Meredith pour a bottle of water onto her head and she immediately felt better. The drowned rat look was actually attractive and I told her she could start a trend back home.

Feeling much better we made our way to the MTR and Meredith met a gal who offered her a portable fan. They became fast friends.

Although we did not get to China Town or Raffles, to avoid missing our ship, we did have a couple of Singapore Slings back onboard in the Crystal Lounge.

But all the above is banal, because what you really wanted to scroll to was the Dress. Dick Hoffman, your previous assumption had come true. This dress was purchased during our cruise and in your honor.