My first visit to Singapore was in august 1973 after completing my basic training as a ships navigator. For Shell Tankers by plane to Singapore to board the steam ship Kopionella. After that first trip I have sailed around Asia up to 1986 with always Singapore as my 'Home Port'.

In those days a flight to Singapore took about 20 to 24 hours, with a Boeing 707 and stops in Athens, Beirut, Dubai, Karachi and Kuala Lumpur. Now only 12 hours in a Boeing 747 flying directly to Singapore!

The first impressions after landing there now were as expected: warm, green and crowded. Singapore is situated almost on the equator and therefore it is hot the year round. There are no seasons like summer or winter and as it rains (much) the whole year through it is a very green island. Many trees provide shade and many flowers with beautiful colors. With 4 million people living in Singapore it is always (sociably) busy anywhere on the island.

As I enjoy the Asian kitchen it is like a paradise to me: Chinese, Malay, Indonesian, Thai and Indian.
In all large shopping centers there are 'food courts' where you can choose from these different kitchens. Next to the SGS office there is one underground and another at 5 minutes walk.

I stay in an apartment on Orchard Road. Orchard Road is still exactly as I remember from years ago: A busy boulevard where many large hotels can be found and many (new) shopping centers. There is a broad walkway with large shady trees. New for me is the underground railway.

The SGS office is situated North West of Orchard Road. About 20 minutes drive with a bus for me and my 5 colleagues. They pick us up at 8:15 each morning and at six or seven o'clock at night we drive back. Then I drop my bag in the apartment, quickly freshen up and get ready for evening - and nightlife!

Harbour Tour (May 29th)

As an ex-seaman I wanted to view the city from the sea-side and I was lucky that Stephen wanted to join me on the Saturday morning. We left from Clifford Pier on a chinese vessel named after the chinese admiral Cheng Ho. The weather was typical for the area: heavy rain clouds and an occasional rain shower. Unfortunately it rained as we arrived for a short stop at the island.

After we arrived at Clifford Pier again we took a river taxi to Clark Key where we had lunch.

Botanical Gardens (May 23rd)

On Sunday morning I made a visit to the Botanical Gardens with my Philippine colleague Dina. The park is close to Orchard Road and also on my previous trips it has been a regular stop.

It is so beautiful and relaxing to walk around and forget the business of work. An absolute highlight is the National Orchard garden within the park! Beautiful flowers in color and shape. I could wonder around for hours but unfortunately I don't have that time today.

China Town (May 23rd)

After I had a meeting with three other colleagues in the apartment complex that Sunday afternoon Dina and I went to China Town at 5 pm.

Chinatown has changed a lot: no more cars in the streets, no real trading businesses and the shops and restaurants are mainly visited by tourists. No longer how I remembered that chaotic and living environment where people actually live and work and children are playing in the streets. We had a nice Chinese dinner (outside): spring rolls, deep fried pork and fried rice.

Again with my english colleague Stephen I made the tour by Cable Car from Mount Faber to Sentosa Island. The cable car runs through the Singapore World Trade Center.

Sentosa is a tourist island with beaches, hotels and resorts. There is a butterfly garden and a underwaterland where you walk under glass with sharks swimming above and around you. A mono-rail takes you around the island but at times you have to be patient to board them.

The office is in a 7 story building on the west side of the island. Between the office and the surrounding buildings there is a part that looks like a little park but what in fact is the rooftop of a food court. The picture from the 6th floor where we had our project office gives a clear view of that area. Another outside food court can be found on a 5 minutes walk.

Eating the chinese way

Singapore is famous for all the food markets around the town. You order your favorite dishes from various stalls and pay them individually. Stephen needed to practice with chop-sticks so I took him out to Newton Circus.

In the old days these food stalls used to be in the middle of the roundabout at Newton Circus. Now there is a big fly-over for one of the express ways and the stalls have moved to the sid.