More on our day trip with pictures

Here's a little more info on our day trip to Sentosa island, along with some pictures. Sentosa Island is considered a resort and recreation area, but it's also considered to be part of Singapore. A ship channel lies between the two islands. It is accessible by a bridge that goes across, there is a cable car and a mono-rail over.

This is a picture of the "Merlion". Pronounced Mer - like the first part of the word mermaid and lion just like the animal. Way back when Singapore was being discovered and explored, one explorer said he came upon a creature unknown to him. It was very big, very ferocious and had a roar that shook the trees. From his description to others, it was decided he'd seen a lion. Back then there were quite a number of different species of animals all the way through Malaysia down to here, so it's possible it actually was a lion. Years later another explorer told stories of having seen mermaids in this area, but that they were an animal mermaid. More than likely he saw dolphins. But having seen dolphins during his travels, he insisted those are not what he saw. He said it was bigger and more ferious. So it became legend that Singapore and the surrounding islands were protected by a "merlion", a mythical creature that was half lion and half mermaid. He is said to swim the waters all around Singapore protecting it. There are several statues of merlions scattered throughout the islands, but this is the largest.

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This is the "Dragon Fountain". It is a long, low and almost like a mini-river. It starts at the base of the Merlion - you can see him in the distance. It has water running through it, but not deep. It goes on for about 100 yards. It is made entirely of small mosiac tiles. It represents a dragon and has other animals such as frogs, lizards and fish incorporated into the design also. The colors are very vivid. Very pretty walk alongside it.

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I tried to capture the tangle of tropical vines and brush - it is so thick in some areas you can't possibly walk through it. This is an area alongside one of the walkways. It's very green and there are thousands of different trees and plants. I don't know how anyone could ever hack through some of the growth to explore, much less clear out enough to build housing. The British who settled these islands really had their work cut out for them! Malaria is not a problem here, but the mosquitoes are known to be the type that carry "dengue fever"- pronounced ding - ee - just ask me about the case I had!

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This is a view from one of the walkways through the upper part of the island. There are beautiful views everywhere you turn!

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A old colonial house that was built in the early 1900's. It's perched up high on almost solid rock. They use it now for a restauarant. The British built these at the turn of the century. Almost every building they built here in the islands was built along these lines. They were always white, red tile roof and black trim. The black trim almost isn't visible - it's usually just under the eaves. Most are one story, some two story. For many years there was no building on any of these islands taller than 3 stories. They are referred to as "the black and whites". There are a surprising number of these that are still around. Now days they are all owned by the government and are protected as a historical property. They can be rented to live in and in some cases to have a business in. There are very strict guidelines as to how they can be altered to accomodate a family or a business - which means they almost cannot be changed in anyway! I have gotten to go inside one - the lady living there said they are a maintenance nightmare! But they are very pretty and old-worldly. These are the types of houses the British built to live in - the barracks they built for their troops were almost like these, except inside was always open air with the ceiling being up two stories for ventilation with a tin roof. There are still a good many of these buidings left to, but they are not as protected from change.

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This is where one of the local herb farmers has his place. You can go here to drink tea he has brewed from the herbs he grows. Or you can buy the herbs to take home with you. There are some that are familiar, but many more that are not familiar at all. And they can use almost anything to make tea out of! Spices and herbs we would usually use to flavor food with, they will also use it to make tea! This guy has this place with a little open air living quarters under this canopy, along with his tiny little kitchen area where he brews his teas. A leaf cover overhead and everyting else just open.

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This is what nutmeg looks like before it's ground up! And yes, they also make tea out of it! He had trays of different spices sitting all through the garden grounds drying.

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This is the Chinese man who lives here and grows all the herbs and spices. In the background is a laminated sheet with pictures on it describing what some of the plants are and what ailments they cure. There is an herb or spice to cure anything and everything - or so they claim!

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He is very serious! Can you tell?

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This is an area that has been recreated to show the houses the native peoples lived in from way back when up through World War 2. Because of the way the islands are situated, a tsunami would affect the areas in Indonesia and Malaysia, but Singapore very little. Same with a major typhoon. The surrounding areas take the brunt of it. By the time the storms cross over those land masses, it weakens them considerably, then there's not a large enough area for them to build up again before they cross over land again. There are storms here, particularly during the monsoon season, but nothing as bad as Malaysia and Indonesia get.

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This is one of the beaches. They have trucked in white sand from Indonesia. People come down and have picnics. They play sand volleyball and sand football - which we know as scoccer. They build sand castles and sit looking at the water. Very few people swim because the ships, which you can see iin the background, keep the waters too stirred up. Also, we are told there are sharks between us and the Indonesian Islands. Would not doubt it in the least! I think there's a good reason you don't hear about someone trying to set records swimming between all these islands! I guess if a ship didn't get you, a shark would! There are some small islands outside the shipping channels that have pretty beaches where you can swim - about a 45 minute ferry ride across to. They also run several flights a day - 737's, A320's and 777 - almost always full to Bali where, of course, the beaches and scenery are just beautiful. I've seen pictures others have taken and I cannot wait to go there!