Kranji War Cemetery

With a thunderstorm threatening, we took a taxi to Kranji War Cemetery in the north of the island. In 1942, Kranji was where the Australian forces defended against the Japanese invasion across the narrow strait to Malaysia. We came to visit the grave of Albert (Blondie) Sargent who was a member of “Z” Special Forces in WW 11. Operation Rimau was to sink Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour, but unlike the previous successful raid by “Z” Force, this one was detected. All were killed, or made their escape and were later captured. Lt Albert Sargent was one of the latter, and was executed not far from the site of the Kranji Cemetery, on 7th July, 1945, not long before the end of the war.
Malay gardeners were tending the neat lawns and one showed us to his grave which was next to the other nine Australian soldiers executed that day. We paused for a while until the dark blue and grey clouds hanging low over the low hill, emptied. (see photo)

Sim City 2011

Last night we walked to Marina Bay and were awestruck by the magnificent architecture of the buildings in this area of the city. The standout is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. (see Photo) The foyer reminded me of something out of a Star Wars film and Sharon half expected a wooki to come out of the elevator. We took in the sights of Singapore from the bow of the ship on the roof and couldn’t help thinking we were in some real life Sim City construction site. Sharon even forgot her bad knees. We bought the most expensive beer and wine in our lives to help fund this unreal development.

Singapore

We arrived safely yesterday afternoon after a good flight, 7 or so hours. Good and warm here, 32 degrees. Had a good night’s sleep then off for a walk of the town. Nothing opens till 11 so after a couple of touters hassling us, took an old man’s offer of a tuk tuk ride around the old parts of Singapore. Once he got going on his 65 year old bike, he told us that he was 68!. When his chain fell off 3 times as he was taking off at the lights, I felt as if we should be riding him, which I offered and he rejected. He gave us a good tour of the old town, Chinese and Indian temples markets, taking us in and showing us various highlights. Two hours for 10 dollars! He huffed when a long line of motorised tuk-tuks passed us along one street. We gave him a tip. We caught a bus to Changi Village past the new prison and where the old WW 11 one was. We enjoyed a cheap Hawker lunch there washed down by some divine yellow lime juice.