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SuperStar Gemini Shore Excursions:
GSIN-1G – Singapore Highlights
Take the panoramic tour of Singapore, which includes Orchard Road, Padang, Cricket Club, Parliament House, the Supreme Court, City Hall, Esplanade and Shenton Way. Visit one of Singapore’s landmark the Merlion Park. Designed by Mr Fraser Brunner, a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium, the lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he re-discovered Singapura in 11 AD, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". The fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek (meaning “sea” in Javanese) by which Singapore was known before the Prince named it “Singapura” (meaning “lion” (singa) “city” (pura) in Sanskrit) and represents Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village. Head next to Sri Mariammam Temple, located in Singapore's Chinatown, the Sri Mariammam Temple has a pagoda-like entrance is topped by one of the most ornate gopurams (pyramidal gateway towers) in all of Singapore.
Visit the Raffles Hotel. This is a colonial-styled hotel in Singapore, dating from 1887 and named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles. It is known for its luxurious accommodation and superb restaurants. The hotel houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum and Victorian-style theatre. Upon the capture of Singapore by the Japanese on 15 Feb 1942, it is commonly said that the Japanese soldiers encountered the guests of the Raffles Hotel dancing one final waltz. During World War II, the Raffles was renamed "Syonan Ryokan" in Kanji, meaning "Light of the South Hotel". The hotel survived despite the hardships Singapore faced and the use of the hotel at the end of the war as a transit camp for war prisoners. In 1987 the government declared it a National Monument.
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