Singapore Day 2

In the morning, after worship, we had a lecture on Chinese culture by Dr. Wong. He spoke for our class last year, and was kind enough to come back again this year. He always has fascinating stories and information about the unique culture of Chinese Singaporeans. 

After the lecture, we took the bus to a food court at a nearby mall. The food courts never cease to amaze--for example, Nikki's meal cost the equivalent of less than $3 USD. (Mine cost a little bit more, at around $6 USD, which doesn't prove my point as well as I would like.)

After we ate lunch, we walked around the mall, got some souvenirs, and found a fresh fruit/juice bar and an ice cream shop. The malls are endless glistening caverns. They go deep underground--often at least four stories--and seamlessly connect to the MRT and to other adjacent malls. One could easily get lost.

Around 2 pm we took the MRT to the Gardens by the Bay. We walked around the Cloud Forest, the Flower Dome, and the elevated walkway through the Supertree Grove. It was worth the $5 Singapore Dollars to see the spectacular view of the gardens and the bay from above. 

After the gardens, we went to the food court at the mall adjacent to the Marina Bay Sands. The mall was extremely luxurious, and even featured a moat with gondolas! This time around was a bit more expensive than at the previous food court, but it was very delicious. We went to a Mongolian BBQ type place, where you pick raw, unwashed veggies and they wash them and chop them and add them to a wok. It's feels like grocery shopping because you add whole veggies to a giant stainless steel bowl and hand it to the cashier before cooking. We also got fresh watermelon and Teh Tarik. :)

*Try saying the name of this restaurant with a British Accent. Now picture Tinker Bell. Get it? :)

After the food court, we went outside to look at the city lights and wait for the fountain and light show. We couldn't figure out where exactly the light show would take place, so we decided to wait and see where the crowds began to form before we walked too much further. We sat cross-legged on the dock, adjacent to the Louis Vuitton island and across the estuary from the downtown skyscrapers. It was spectacular. As we watched the sun set, the city came alive with lights. Indeed, Singapore just begins to wake up as the sun goes down. 

We followed the crowds to the light show area, and the show began shortly thereafter. It was nice, (picture a toned-down World of Color), and told the story of Singaporean children as they grew to adulthood. Sadly, there was a technical difficulty and the show came to an abrupt ending just before the story found its resolution. It really left me hanging. I am still left wondering whatever happened to the young Singaporean boy who became a concert violinist! 

After the light show, we decided to go to the top of the Marina Bay Sands to see an even greater view of the city's lights. We had some difficulty finding the ticketing and entrance, and then we got stuck behind a large tour group, but we finally made it! They even gave us a discount when we showed them our Singapore Airlines boarding pass. After a speedy, ear-popping elevator ride, we made it to the 56th floor, and stepped out to meet the glittering view. It was magical, and the pictures can't truly capture it.