After our long day on the previous day, we decided to take it a bit easier on day 2. We planned to ride the two remaining lines on the Hippo, staying on the bus, and call it a day. So, we started out on the ‘Yellow’ line which took us around downtown crossing the Singapore River several times, up the hill to the botanic gardens and to Singapore’s premier shopping area, Orchard Street. We got off at Orchard Street (so much for staying on the bus) and wandered through a couple of shopping centers / malls. After returning to the bus we drove passed the original Raffles Hotel, which is currently under renovation, and then back to the Hippo Terminal at Suntec City.
Next we took the ‘Brown’ line which took us to the Singapore Esplanade, Chinatown (again), along the river, the city center (House of Parliament, the Prime Minister’s residence, etc.), the National Gallery, the Singapore Flyer, the Sands Hotel / Casino and back to SunTec City.
In SunTec City we decided to walk around the mall and have some lunch. Then we boarded the shuttle back to the cruise terminal and returned to the Pacific Princess.
We both found Singapore to be a fascinating city. The architecture was spectacular but there was so much open space and a real feeling for the ecology of the city and its impact on climate change …
