Singapore Ticking More Boxes

A slightly disjointed sleep due to our mini-flight across the planet, but nice to wake up to an ocean view.

Our main aim for spending two nights here was to visit the Kranji War Cemetery. Dad's 28 yr old brother, Fred, had been killed in the jungle during the very early days of the Japanese push towards Singapore. His body not recovered, his name is one of thousands engraved on the walls at the cemetery. Dad and Mum, together with Dad's niece Pauline and her husband Bruce, had visited here in the 90's.

We caught the super-efficient train to Kranji, requiring one line change. After grabbing a snack at a local cafeteria ( I had forgotten about the sweetened condensed milk in tea!) we caught a taxi the short distance to the cemetery. It is extremely well kept but perhaps less frequently visited.

We happened to encounter a very lively lady and her quieter husband, who was also searching out a relative, and who just happened to have spent her childhood approx 15 kms from Tony's childhood village in NSW. Obviously there was much chatter.

We found Frederick Lionel Roberts. With no headstone in Australia, this engraving is the only public recognition of his time on earth. Photos and a video for the Family archives.

Our timing was perfect, because as soon as we returned to the station the clouds dumped the tropical rain.

Singapore has many attractions but I wanted to do Raffles. The old colonial hub of central Singapore remains and the famous Hotel does not disappoint. White render, tropical courtyards and wooden balustrades easily outdo glass and glitz. A Pimms for me and a Singapore Sling for Tony, wiping our peanut shells on to the floor and we were a contented duo.

Returning to our hotel at 6pm meant that we had filled in our day nicely. Time for refreshments by the pool.

We fly out from Singapore at 6pm tomorrow. We are close to an area called the East Coast Park which runs along the shoreline and we plan to explore this area tomorrow. Then home.

From the greenery of Slovenia, the emptiness and grandeur of Dormitor NP in Montinegro, the over-use of the dramatic Croatian coastline to the sophistication of Vienna...I may have to divide this holiday into two Photobooks.

Cheers and Thanks for reading. Karyn and Tony.

 

Amongst thousands of names, in a peaceful place.

Now where do we change trains?

Oasis in the middle of the CBD...Raffles Hotel. My hair is flat 'cause it had rained!

A Pimms, Singapore Sling and peanut shells to be wiped onto the floor!?

 

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