We arrive in Singapore at 8:30am From a distance we can see the three skyscrapers of the Marina Bay Sands hotel, which are connected by a platform at the top.
Marina Bay Sands and Art Science Museum
We will stay in Singapore overnight and fly back to Germany late tomorrow evening.
Marina South Pier
The Celebrity docks in the cruise port Marina South Pier. Two ships can dock here. There is a tourist information office, an exchange office, luggage storage and a cafe-bar.
We will explore Singapore on our own. Singapore is a small country and the sights are easily accessible by public transport or taxis. Information about the country and its people and everything you should see can be found in our posts Singapore and Singapore attractions.
Take the subway
It is 600 meters to Marina South Pier underground station. The footpath there is covered and leads through a green area parallel to the water. Traveling on the subway is easy. The paths are clearly marked and there are information desks in the larger stations. The stations and the subways are spotlessly clean.
When I think of major German cities and the local public transport, it's unbelievable. Even the toilet facilities are almost clinically clean.
Gardens by the Bay
We don't go far. Our first destination is Gardens by the Bay. A park landscape has been created here on over 100 hectares. Huge artificial trees that are 25 to 50 meters high dominate the facility. Two of the trees, all of which have been planted with real plants, are connected by a 128-meter-long skywalk. For a little more than 5 EUR we take an elevator up. At a height of 22 meters we move high above the gardens. The view extends to the water and the Marina Bay region.
Supertree Grove and Skywalk
Around the Marina Bay
The Marina Bay Sands hotel is our next destination. It looks like you've put a giant surfboard over three 190-meter towers. The platform is 340 meters long. There is a tropical garden with a pool area, which is reserved for hotel guests only. However, a section is accessible to visitors as an observation deck. We take an elevator up. As expected, everything is well organized and properly explained. The view of and over Singapore is breathtaking.
In the lower area of the huge hotel lobby there are fine boutiques, bistros and restaurants. Everything is very stylish here - and expensive - but we still treat ourselves to a coffee and a bite to eat.
We walk around Marina Bay. It's very hot, but quite bearable. First we cross the Helix Bridge and get to the market, then we continue along the bay to the Jubilee Bridge and the Merlion. The Merlion is one of the attractions of Singapore, half mermaid, half lion. There is a lot of activity here, whole groups crowd around the large water-spouting statue and the smaller copy that sprays water towards the land.
Merlion
Singapore River and Colonial District
Our next destination is the Singapore River. Here we are in the former colonial district of Singapore. Singapore was established as the trading post of the British East India Company. A number of buildings from this period have survived, such as the Victoria Theater or St. Andrews's Cathedral. A large lawn - the Padang - is opposite the church. Sports competitions are held on the Padang. The Cricket Club and the Singapore Recreation Club have their clubhouses here.
We're going back to the Singapore River. We like to stay there. There is shady seating on the River Walk, quaint restaurants and bars are located on the former quayside, and water taxis and junks also travel the river.
In the late afternoon we drive back to the cruise terminal. Again we take the subway and walk back the way from Marina South Pier station to the cruise terminal.
One last evening on the Millennium
In the evening we say goodbye to new acquaintances, the crew and the Celebrity Millennium. We felt very comfortable on the ship. We have covered 2620 nautical miles or 4853 kilometers on this ship since boarding in Hong Kong. We enjoy the view of the illuminated city and the Singapore Flyer, the ferris wheel at Marina Bay. Singapore is a beautiful city.
The Singapore Flyer
