Singapore Day Two

The day two objective turned into a visit to the Gardens By The Bay.  We had seen a poster on the Metro indicating that there was a cherry blossom show underway.  Another failed attempt to book the viewing platform and then we were off (more on that later).  By then we were pros at riding the Metro and we easily made our way to the Gardens (okay, it was at the same stop as the night before).  The Gardens consists of 2 large structures - the Flower Garden and the Cloud Forest.  And, yes, they are indoors which is so welcome in the Singapore heat and humidity.  We started in the Flower Garden and the cherry blossoms.  Again, I'll spare you the way too many pics.

We then headed over to the Cloud Forest.

There was also an orchid section there.

By the time we completed the Cloud Forest, it was time to head back to our hotel where Gina and Jim were picking us up for lunch.  They took us to the Singapore Cricket Club.  It was such a nice lunch and such a good time catching up with them.  And, it was time for my first Singapore Sling.

The SCC is a nice, old facility but just be warned - wear pants.  We were banished to the outside since we were wearing shorts, which wasn't so bad.  Gina and Jim had suggested that we go to the Gardens By The Bay after lunch but, since we were there that morning, it was time for Plan B.  When I told him about our failed attempt to book the observation platform, Jim came up with the hack that you should be aware of if you visit Singapore.  There is the Ce La Vie Sky Bar on the 57th floor of one of the towers.  The fee to go up there is about the same as the ticket price for the platform - and, the fee becomes a voucher to use for food and drinks!  It opens at 4:00 pm and that is exactly when we arrived.  The elevator whisked us up the 57 floors (in less time than our elevator at home takes us up 4 floors!) and there we were - just in time for my second Singapore Sling.

And, guess what?  The views are great though maybe you don't get the clear views you had from the viewing platform, but no one cared.

You can see the Gardens By The Bay structures in this pic.

And, as a bonus, we got to watch the Oceania Riviera sail by as she left Singapore.

It was a great afternoon, but we weren't finished.  Gina and Jim then took us to their condo where we visited some more and then went for dinner at a food court by the beach.

After dinner, they drove us back to our hotel.  It was just a wonderful visit with them.  Linda and Gina had bonded on the ship ten years ago and we had some good times on that cruise.  But, you have to wonder.  After ten years will things be different?  That's a resounding no.  We just thoroughly enjoyed our day together and look forward to doing it again.  We hope it won't be another 10 years.

Stay tuned for Day Three.

Peace and blessing,

Linda and Larry