Hoosier Cruiser

SINGAPORE

Feb 28-Mar 1, 2026

Singapore is a city state located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Of all the port stops we have made since leaving Australia, I would say that Singapore is the most secular. If there is any form of state religion here, it would have to be Business. One of our guides said Singapore is a “fine” city; she didn’t mean that as a compliment. She was referring to all the ways that the government can extract money from citizens and tourists for violating a multitude of rules. Despite all the rules and limits on civil liberties, I think the citizens of Singapore are happy with the status quo. They have a high standard of living and very little crime.

Our travels took us to the Singapore River, the Marina Bay Sands, Gardens By the Bay, and Raffles. The river tour was aboard replicas of wooden bumboats that were used to transfer cargo from ocean ships to warehouses. We glided past Victorian era buildings, gleaming skyscrapers and the city’s iconic symbol, the Merlion. Later we visited the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and the observation deck on the 57th floor. Similar to its Las Vegas cousin, the MBS has a casino, fancy restaurants and high end retail stores. Late afternoon, we toured Gardens by the Bay and its Flower Dome; there is a sister dome called the Cloud Forest.

In the evening, we took a tour of Singapore after Dark. Many of the same locales but a more colorful display. The Marina Bay Sands and the Merlion Statue/Fountain were highlights.The evening ended with a Singapore Sling at the famous Raffles Hotel.

On the following day, I indulged in some exploring and shopping in Vivo City, an enormous mall connected to the Singapore Cruise Terminal. There were many brand name stores I recognized but had never seen in USA malls. Restaurants and cafes were scattered throughout the mall instead of being located in a food court or certain section of the mall.

Next: Malaysia

River tour