Our flights to Singapore were Phoenix to San Francisco (2 hours), San Francisco to Hong Kong (15.5 hours) and Hong Kong to Singapore (3.5 hours). We lost a day as we flew over the International Dateline.

Since the news about Covid was spreading they checked our temperature at the Hong Kong airport (we wore masks) and at our hotel in Singapore.

We were on our own the next day so we took the MRT to Changi Airport. We made our way to the Jewell which is a huge shopping mall with four levels of stores and restaurants. The ceiling is faceted like a jewell. There is a large fountain surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants. Since it was Chinese New Year, there was a troupe with a "dragon" walking from store to store. Several stores set out a plate of lettuce and fruit. The "dragon" would find it, throw some to the people in the store while the band played drums and cymbals.

Later we took the MRT to Gardens by the Bay. There are metal tree sculptures and an observatory that has 360 degree views of the bay.

The next day we started our official Smithsonian tour. We stopped at the Parliament Building, part of which is the Supreme Court. We made our way to Merlion Park and later toured a Taoist temple. After lunch we were driven through Chinatown. We stopped at Kampong Glam, a Maylay enclave. That night we took the MRT to the Marina Sands Hotel. We went to the top floor and watched the Light Show. It is a very unique laser show.

The next day we were driven through the Indian enclave to see a festival. We had to stay on the bus. For the festival the men pierce their faces and wear elaborate head dresses. Then we went to Kim Chu on the outskirts of town which is know for their dumplings. We had a sampler plate of dumplings, pineapple cake and blue pea flower tea, which is blue in color. Our hostess explained the wedding bed and showed us some beaded shoes and beautiful embroidery.

After lunch at Peony Jade restaurant, we were taken to Raffels Hotel, famous for the Singapore Sling. Of course we all had to try it. From there we went to the train station to board the Eastern Orient Express.