Impressive Marina Sands
We had a reasonably early start in Ho Chi Minh to make the 0910 Tiger Airways flight to Singapore. With an hour time difference, we landed just after midday and taxied to the Geylang red light district to check into our budget hotel, Hotel 81.
Without much ado, we made our way to Marina Sands (one of two mega casinos recently opened in Singapore). The casino was impressive but we were really surprised that smoking was permitted inside … especially when the island-republic was a pioneer in anti-smoking laws, even blazing ahead of many western countries. The carpet in many parts were already ruined from cigarette burns in just a few short months!
We also went up to Skypark … a garden and infinity pool located on the rooftop canoe that joins three hotel blocks. Singapore certainly knows how to impress.
Glimpses of Singapore Life
We finished the day with dinner at a friend’s house. I had went to kindergarten with him, then school and university too. It good to talk about old times but more interesting were snippets of life in Singapore.
Did you know that some schools require a medical certificate for every absence by a child? Even one day. Parents’ letter are not sufficient.
Some schools are more relaxed and will parents’ letters up to three absences in a year.
It would appear that parents aren’t deemed to be responsible enough for the educational well-being of their kids.
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- Singapore skyline from Skypark.
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- Singapore skyline from Skypark.
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- Infinity pool and garden a canoe-shaped platform, on top of three hotel blocks.
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- Old residential terrace houses converted into brothels.
