Christmas Break: Singapore & the Cruise

Hello blog readers,

Due to the vast number of pictures associated with the 2 weeks I had spent away from Macau for Christmas break, I decided that I would be uploading the segments in pieces based on each place I was at.  Now if you remember, I said previously that during the first week, I was going on a cruise starting from Singapore and going to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur and Penang) as well as Phuket, Thailand during the first week while during the 2nd week, I went to Bangkok with a side trip to Pattaya with my parents.

This first entry is going to cover the adventures in Singapore.  My friend and I had a few days in Singapore to explore a little first before heading onto the cruise ship.  Having visited Singapore, I have a very solid impression of the tiny island country.  It's clean, multicultural, and has a lot more open and green space than I was anticipating.  It is definitely a place I could come back to. 

Singapore river lying out right in front of our hostel.

Can you tell it's Christmas?

Break dancers at Universal Studios Singapore

These are some really unique "trees" here at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.  It was a beautiful park/garden area with huge amounts of green space right in the middle of the city.

Inside one of the greenhouses at Gardens by the Bay.

Skywalk in the very tall greenhouse.

A towering greenhouse with a waterfall and countless difference plant species.

That big 3 pillar building is the Marina Bay Sands.  One of the landmark buildings in Singapore.

Iconic Singapore shot at Merlion park.

Chinatown gearing up for Chinese New Year, the year of the horse.

The Minions at Universal Studios are ready for Christmas.  I was sad I didn't get a chance to take a picture with them.

Orchard Rd Singapore

A good start to the vacation.

Goodbye Singapore!

In this post, I'll also throw up the pictures I took from the actual cruise ship.  Neither of us had previously been on a cruise before and both thought it would be neat to try out a cruise.  The cruise line we went with was Royal Caribbean and we were aboard the Mariner of the Seas.  We were on the ship for a total of 5 days, with 3 port destinations (Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Phuket) and another day at sea to get us back to Singapore.

Ship Model of the Mariner of the Seas

It's a massive ship.  A floating resort hotel essentially.

15 floors from top to bottom.  Thank goodness they have elevators.

The Royal Promenade.  The central shopping strip on board the ship.

A massive ship needs a massive Christmas tree.

I've always been told how AMAZING cruise food is.  It turns out to be completely true.  So much good food. 

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The snacks that were brought to our room pre-formal night night. 

Excuse me waiter, umm... can I have everything?

Christmas eve surf and turf.  Never had a Filet Mignon before. 

Taken in Phuket.  You really have to go way back of the ship to see it in it's entirety.

So one night, we decided to go to this premium steakhouse on board.  The next 4 pictures are the things I eat on board.  Starting with oysters for appetizers.

But then the shrimp cake was too good to pass up so I had that too.

18oz porterhouse steak.  I know your mouth is watering right now.

Creme brulee

Red Velvet Cake

That is one cool towel monkey.  It took Shannon's shades.

The International Belly Flop Competition on board.  A great spectator sport.

A wicked awesome & cool ice show on board the Mariner.

It's a tall ship.

Looking out onto the seas.

The main pool deck of the Mariner

Mini-golf anyone?

The main dining room.  Swanky.

Inside the Savoy Theatre where there were amazing shows each night.

Tehehe, did someone say volleyball?

Formal dinner Christmas eve.  I have a tie to go with the occasion.  Thanks Shannon!

Captain of the Mariner.

Formal night.

Looking sharp.