1:14N, 103:5E

We arrived back to Singapore in the early hours of Friday morning and made the long taxi journey home to Raffles Marina (we dread getting a taxi to the marina as we have had about 6 taxis refuse to take us because they consider it too far – only 40 minutes!)

We were up early to get ready for the sea trial and if all going well to leave Raffles and head 30 miles to One degree 15 Marina at Sentosa Island. As we visited the dock master to organise fuel and to pay our account they advised that we needed a permit to cruise Singapore waters. They advised it could be done on line – just impossible, the internet connection was unreliable and each time I attempted the test it would time out and in reality it would take at least a day of studying all of the charts and rules and regulations. Greg had spoken to others at the marina and they said that they only worry about larger boats and to plead ignorance if the authorities pulled us up. Needless to say that the Captain overruled the navigator with his old adage “It is better to seek forgiveness than to seek approval” so we went to Sentosa without a permit and despite passing about 6 police boats we were not pulled up! The sea trial with the Volvo engineer and the shipyard senior mechanic went well and the engine and shaft is like new – no vibration or noise!!

It took just 4.5 hours to get to the new marina and it is very impressive. Monty and Mitch were happy and headed straight for the pool and bar while I checked in – the marina manager asked if we had a copy of the permit and I explained what happened – he said if it is a problem we will receive a letter from the government – great something to look forward to! There are 2 bars, restaurant, café, gym, pool and showers that have a steam room. Greg says it is one of the best marinas he has ever seen. There are also restaurants on the boardwalk surrounding the marina plus a chemist and supermarket and there are free buses every 30 minutes to Vivo City Shopping Centre and Sentosa.

On Friday night Monty booked us in to the Tiffin Room at the famous Raffles Hotel for the curry buffet which was just beautiful – very stylish and colonial in every way. There was an extended Indian family also dining (about 40 people with the maids and security detail in tow) and 1 man paid the bill – easily $5K and not one of them had alcohol! We were very lucky because Monty and Mitch paid for our dinner as our Christmas present. We must be the only guests who have ever left a Canterbury Bulldogs umbrella at Raffles and yes of course we rang them and asked them to keep it for us.

On Saturday Mont and I went shopping at Vivo City and the boys caught up with us for lunch at a traditional food court that served amazing steamed dumplings. We got on the monorail to Beach station and wandered around the various attractions and cafes/bars. Sentosa is really one big tourist attraction/amusement park – very popular with locals. The afternoon was then spent having a few beverages at the Boater’s Bar at the marina and dinner at a local pub before Monty and Mitch left at 11pm for their Scoot flight back home.

We celebrated Christmas Day at a fantastic yum cha restaurant at Vivo City followed by a movie (Jack Reacher with Tom Cruise – probably a waste of 2 hours!) but it was very relaxing. Although, I had done the washing and been to the gym earlier. Dadang and I both got great sporty watches for Christmas and I gave Greg a dozen Ernest Hemingway novels. Not a very festive day in the traditional sense but a nice quiet day. Greg was very happy with the cost of Christmas Day lunch – just $70 for three of us!!!!!!

We are now waiting for Helen and Spanner to arrive on Tuesday, New Year’s Day and will spend a few more days in Singapore before sailing up the Malacca Straits to Malaysia.