WATER, FROM SEE TO SEA

More than any other place on earth, Singaporeans (especially women!) love to shop. Every day the surge hits us as we try to leave the retail areas. One getaway is a subway ride to MacRitchie Reservoir, the first in a series of water catchments in this island country.Very clever --- an engineering scheme to save more rain water for their demanding population. The reservoirs are peaceful oases in an otherwise hectic city. This one reminds me of High Park in Toronto or Central Park in Manhattan ---- tall apartment buildings peering over green canopies to the lake. There are walking/biking trails, a fishing zone, and shade for benches or picnics. Very relaxing ---- until the local monkeys attacked Pat. Are there peanuts in her bag I don't know about? It got a little scary/hairy.

Another watery spot I remembered from long ago is Sentosa Island, just off shore. It used to be accessible by ferry or cable car and had a few shops, empty green space, and some really beautiful beaches. As usual, that was then. BAM. Now it appears to be an Orlando, with highway/causeway/monorail to Universal Studios Singapore and 50 other "attractions". Hundreds of shops and restaurants. Flight simulators, Segway, Golfers' Terrace, Underwater World, Combat Skirmish, Animal Encounter, and anything with the words "beauty" "gourmet" and "exciting". It was hate at first sight.

But then you walk behind the Reverse Bungee and sure enough it's like reverse Sentosa! The beaches are still here, better than ever with shade, facilities, shuttle bus, splash pad, observation decks, and blessed quiet. Whimsical signs and colours make it even more friendly. So Sentosa has a split personality ---- flashy spending spree or tropical swimming whee.

 No more monkeys on our back, we reached the southernmost point in Asia!