Singapore. Day 8

It’s Christmas Eve and we’re swimming!

Surprise, surprise. Jo caught a lizard.

We baked American style treats for the Christmas party this evening. We biked to the MRT, dropped off evening clothes at Grandpa & Grandma’s office, and headed to Chinatown.

We needed to change money (in mall #11), but the money changer didn’t want our USDollars because they were “too old”. We’ll try again at another one tomorrow. While Scott tried to change money, I was standing in front of the shop next door where I was greeted by a worker who told me she could fix my face. I was only slightly offended. I asked what she wanted to fix and she said she could remove my freckles. And then proceeded to point out things she could do to 2 of my children. Thankfully, Scott was ready to move on and we left. Outside, we observed Chinese style roofs and lots of stalls of touristy stuff for sale. We had drinks at a Thai restaurant where I used my Thai “hellos” and “thank yous” that I pulled from the back of my memory from a trip 15 years ago.

 Ky got a henna tattoo.

 

Then we visited the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. They were having a special ceremony while we were there. Music played and a family had brought fruits and purchased mild to pour over/offer the idols. It was interesting. We missed the mosque next door. But it was time to head back to the office and change clothes before the party.

 MRT: really full!

 

A dear family has thrown a Christmas dinner party for the “ship people” (those who live and serve on the OM ship, Logos Hope) every Christmas for the past few years. This year, because the ship was in drydock here in Singapore, they hosted the party at their home, the penthouse suite on floor 25 of a lovely building.

 

It was fun to spend time with the ship people. The meal (which the hostess had prepared herself for all 44 guests!!!) was delicious. There was ham, turkey, and roast beef. Her potato salad was the best. There was so much good food! We had a gift exchange, lots of desserts, and sang carols around the piano.

 (I had to take this photo of a nearby building where owners can bring their cars up to their homes to put on display. This one must be on the twenty-something floor! Crazy.)

 After the party, we had to grab our suitcase of clothes from the office which happens to be on Orchard Road, the most decorated place in Singapore.

So we got off the train 2 stops early to walk and experience the lights because we were told they’d be taken down the next day. The party had gone later than expected and we ended up on Orchard Road at 11:50pm.

 

We took some photos and were figuring out where to go when suddenly people were all counting down, 10, 9, 8… – like it was new year’s eve!

 As soon as it was Christmas Day, everyone was screaming and spraying silly string and “snow”, cars were honking, craziness was all around.

 Super bizarre for a population of 10% Christian. Singapore wants to be international, so they have allowed each major religion to choose 2 holidays to be national holidays. And the country celebrates each one. But Christmas is done up really well because of its consumer/money-making value. So it’s done up big, but nobody knows what they’re celebrating except gifts. Very interesting.  

Anyway. We eventually got our suitcase and jumped back on the train for home. Good night! And Merry Christmas!!!