Singapore to Sri Lanka

Still on the original itinerary, after leaving Indonesia, we made our way through more of the huge Indian Ocean to Singapore. Singapore was one of my favorite stops in 2023 so I was delighted for another chance to do those things left undone on my previous visit. That, however, was not to be. Our stay in this beautiful city/country (I do believe the entire country IS the City) was all too short and what little time we had in port was filled with a special event for all the ATWs, numbering over 550 people. That's a pretty big crowd without including staff and entertainers. Since Singapore has no convention/event center which will hold that many people, they have ingeniously converted an abandoned power plant for such events. Now, by "converted" I mean removed the machinery and any and all internal walls, scrubbed the concert floors and added restrooms in an adjacent building, PERIOD. No A/C but rather a few large fans sparingly scattered around the dining area. So, using the structure as a theme, Oceania billed the event as "A Journey Through Time" emphasizing "Unity in Diversity"...

Today's Singapore is a blend of four different cultures who have migrated over the last several centuries from China, India, Malaysia and "other" cultures. In addition to areas where one could get a henna tattoo, a small fan with your name painted on it in Chinese, and/or a jasmine wreath, there was seating for our group where we were served a multicultural fourteen course meal. I confess, I refused the bluish purple rice and a few of the other dishes which defied identification by this little East Texas girl. That which I was brave enough to try, even without recognition, were very good. We were entertained by Chinese drummers/dancers as well as a smattering of entertainers representing the other cultures before recorded music from the sixties was blasted throughout the venue. It was a noble effort on the part of Oceania. The evening must have cost a fortune. Kudos to them for effort. Kudos to the caterer, also. I, as seems to be the opinion of the vast majority of my shipmates, would rather have had a chance to experience the Singapore of today, Oh well, that just means I must return to Singapore, again.

Next stop: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Lacking an excursion different from that of 2023, my friend Mary (from Tucson, whom I met on the aborted 2020 ATW attempt) and I decided to go shopping. Oceania provided shuttle buses to and from a gigantic four story shopping mall housing a preponderance of eateries, but also most anything else the heart desires including the perfect umbrella for Mary to replace one she had lost and the toiletries I was running short of. Purchases made, we returned to the shuttle and "home" again.

Phuket, Thailand was also a non-event for me this time around. None of the excursions seemed to be of particular interest to me so I sat this one out. Am I becoming jaded? I certainly hope not!

And then along came Colombo, Sri Lanka! A whole other story. . . Next time.

"Home" again, Home again

Today Is Someday! Revel in its Beauty!