After getting back to the ship late last night following my excursion, I still managed to get up in time for another one this morning. While Tim’s excursion was a visit to the Mandai Bird Paradise, I had signed up for “Iconic Singapore,” where I was most looking forward to visiting Gardens by the Bay. This was the description:
Visit Gardens by the Bay, a futuristic horticultural park, and take in the views from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark. Gardens by the Bay is a national garden and horticultural attraction with more than 1 million plants showcased in ingenious landscape designs. Enter the Flower Dome, the world’s largest columnless greenhouse and a world of perpetual spring. See horticulture’s future at the Supertree Grove, an ecological marvel with vertical metal gardens shaped like trees (up to 160 feet) support a diversity of ferns, orchids and vines. They are maintained with photovoltaic cells, advanced water and air filtration systems and other green technologies. Then ascend to the 650-foot-high Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, the world’s largest cantilevered observation deck. Take in views from Marina South Pier to Singapore Strait. Then enjoy a boat ride up the Singapore River before returning to your ship.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned for either Tim or me, and it turned out to be an extremely frustrating day.
My excursion began with a drive to the Marina Bay Sands, where we were scheduled to ascend to the SkyPark for a view of the city. Our guide gave us our tickets, told us to meet back in the lobby at 11:05 am, and led us to the end of the line. Although I am usually a rather patient person, I have little patience for long lines. This one was ridiculous, and after standing in one place for 15 minutes, I decided that I really didn’t care about going to the top. I returned to the lobby of the Sands to wait for the group, which had not even made it to the elevator by 11:05 am.
I wandered around the main level of the hotel, looking for a place to sit and finding none. I soon concluded that the delay here meant that our visit to the Gardens by the Bay would be cut short. (I learned afterwards that the visit there was less than 30 minutes.) Since I had taken the boat ride last night, which was next on the itinerary, I decided to bail on the excursion, catch the shuttle, and return to the ship.
Even that seemingly simple plan did not work. Not one person at the Expo Center, where the Viking Sky shuttle stopped, could tell me the exact location of the stop. I wandered from one end of the massive building to the other, and finally saw the shuttle pass me by, since I was in the wrong place. I finally gave up, went to the taxi stand, and met a couple whose excursion bus had left them behind. Luckily, I happened to have the address of our cruise port (there are two of them) to give to the driver, and we made it back to the ship without further incident.
As you can see, or rather not see, I took no photos in Singapore today.
I tried to take out my frustration by doing two loads of laundry, which was strangely satisfying. By mid-afternoon, I was surprised that Tim had not yet returned from his excursion. When he finally came back, he informed me that he had missed his bus, which had left without him. Luckily, several friendly police officers helped him get a taxi, and he, too, finally made it back to the ship.
Unfortunately, not every excursion or time in a destination will work out the way one expects. We just try our best to remain flexible.
While Tim rested, I went to the Explorers Lounge for a cocktail to chill out and continue to calm down. Tim was not even up for our dinner reservation at The Chef’s Table, but I had a delightful meal with Jacquee and Larry. We had even made a reservation for four, so Carlito would not have to move tables for us, as he had done the last two times we dined together.
Tonight’s menu was Yumi’s Corner: Voyage to Korean Cuisine. The food was delicious, and I even enjoyed the amuse bouche, with eel and octopus. Jacquee and Larry had passed on that course.
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| Yumi’s Corner: Voyage to Korean Cuisine Menu, With Descriptions of the Five Courses Pictured Below |
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| Amuse Bouche, Appetizer, Soup, Main Course, and Dessert |
Dinner with friends was the perfect antidote to a frustrating day.
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