The following image was taken from the sliding door of our stateroom.
Today was a restful day cruising the Java Sea, a break in the action which is very much needed to get ready for our next port, Singapore! Viking plans many special event luncheons and dinners on the pool deck called the Wintergarden. Most of the events are themed around our destination or a milestone of the cruise. Today was a special Milestone Brunch to mark our two months together, showcasing lots of seafood, Indian food and Chinese food. Not trying to make your mouth water, but thought I’d share photos from this event. All the displays are beautiful and meticuously laid out. I don’t think the culinary team gets much sleep the night before one of these events. In addition, there was a small program to say goodbye to Captain Marcus who was going on vacation (don’t worry, our first captain, Frederick, is coming back). There was a staff procession to celebrate the day and live music by Daniel. Not a bad way to spend the day.
Today we cross the equator again, heading north to Singapore.
Enrichment: Singapore: A City Within a Garden. Explore this vibrant city-state known for its remarkable blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty – Bryan Babcock
He briefly covered the time before Sir Stamford Raffles established the first British trading post in 1819. Singapore is located in one of the busiest maritime areas in the world. Raffles was unique because he set the port up to be tax-free, knowing that the constant traffic and flow of people and goods would more than compensate for the lack of tariffs. Singapore was a British colony for more than 140 years.
Like most governments in the area, Singapore demanded independence after Japanese occupation at the end of World War 2. After briefly being part of Malaysia, it became an independent city-state in 1965.
The first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, was instrumental in developing a strategy for city success, including well-paid city officials, mandating the use of English, recruiting great worldwide technical and economic talent, promoting sustainability, and active city planning. The city is a marvel of excellent urban planning. It has a code of conduct and no free press.
Enrichment: Food Stalls, Stands, and Trucks: Takeaway Tidbits. Learn how roadside cooks have influenced what and where we eat— reimagining global fast food – Sharon Giraud
As we are heading to Singapore, Sharon covered street food as it is very, very common in the city. She first noted that a lot of people eat street food daily, and it was initially popular because many early homes did not have kitchens. It must be portable and typically consists of some type of meat and some type of bread. Many women run food stalls throughout the world. The Portland food trucks came to mind as they are certainly a type of street food. A fun talk.
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