AIDA Transfer Cruise 2017 · Page 9

Everything you can imagine at a market with Chinese products can be found here. The sellers weren't pushy at all, and we really enjoyed strolling around. At around 5 p.m. we were back at AIDAbella, and an hour later it was cast off and set course for Singapore.

On Friday morning we arrived in Singapore, and the approach past the 100 ships lying at anchor is always impressive. As we were again at the HarbourFront cruise terminal, we already knew our way around a bit, having been here with AIDA 3 years ago.

After leaving the ship, we went straight down one floor and got tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus. A day ticket costs 43 Singapore dollars, about 27 euros. Right next to it is a cash machine where you can withdraw cash. Normally that isn't necessary in Singapore, as you can pay by card almost everywhere. Officially the HoHo bus doesn't stop at HarbourFront, but when a big cruise ship is in port, a shuttle service is set up. So we took the HoHo shuttle to the main hub of all the lines, got straight onto the "yellow line" and rode to the Marina Bay hotel. A few little sports cars were standing around there.

The platform costs 25 euros per person, and even a visit to the bar now comes with an admission fee.

So we looked at Gardens by the Bay and enjoyed the glorious view.

We continued on the line to Marina Bay and looked at Singapore's landmark, the Merlion.

The name comes from mermaid and lion, as the statue is half mermaid, half lion. There's a Starbucks here too, and therefore free Wi-Fi. After a nice stop in Merlion Park, we continued on the "yellow line" and did a complete circuit until we were back at the main hub.

The "yellow line" gives you a great overview of Singapore – highly recommended. At the main hub we then took the "red line" to Little India.