| S i n g a p o r e 2 0 0 1 |
During the Western Pacific cruise of 2001-02 (WESTPAC 01-02) of my F-14 squadron, VF-213,
on board USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), we made two port calls to Singapore. The first was in August,
and was made less than two weeks before the terrorist attacks of 9/11 forced us into war. We had
been scheduled to visit Australia for Christmas, but, due to security concerns, that plan was changed
for a return to Singapore where the battle group could tie up inside a protected naval base.
Singapore was originally a British colony. It was the "Gibraltar" of Asia in many ways. The coast
lines were heavily defended, but the British did not fortify the northern side of the island, believing no
one could penetrate Malaysia's jungles. That is just was the Japanese did during World War II, and
took Singapore from the northern approach.
Singapore gained it's independence from Britain and joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963, but
separated two years later and remains an independent city-state and free port to this day. If goods
are moved through it in less than 72 hours, there is no duty levied on them. This has made Singapore
the buisest free port in the world and one of Asia's most prosperous nations. They are also a great
and strong ally in the War on Terror.
on board USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), we made two port calls to Singapore. The first was in August,
and was made less than two weeks before the terrorist attacks of 9/11 forced us into war. We had
been scheduled to visit Australia for Christmas, but, due to security concerns, that plan was changed
for a return to Singapore where the battle group could tie up inside a protected naval base.
Singapore was originally a British colony. It was the "Gibraltar" of Asia in many ways. The coast
lines were heavily defended, but the British did not fortify the northern side of the island, believing no
one could penetrate Malaysia's jungles. That is just was the Japanese did during World War II, and
took Singapore from the northern approach.
Singapore gained it's independence from Britain and joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963, but
separated two years later and remains an independent city-state and free port to this day. If goods
are moved through it in less than 72 hours, there is no duty levied on them. This has made Singapore
the buisest free port in the world and one of Asia's most prosperous nations. They are also a great
and strong ally in the War on Terror.
(Right) Me on the small islet of Sentosa, just off
Singapore. Sentosa was a major Japanese fortress
during WWII, but is now a busy resort island that
generates a great deal of revenue for Singapore. Photo
by my buddy Tim.
Singapore. Sentosa was a major Japanese fortress
during WWII, but is now a busy resort island that
generates a great deal of revenue for Singapore. Photo
by my buddy Tim.
(Left) On the cable car out to Sentosa.
Note the Merlion stature on the left.
Note the Merlion stature on the left.
Looking back at the world's
busiest free port, Singapore.
It is the cleanest and safest
city I have ever walked
through.
Click the image for a high-res
version.
busiest free port, Singapore.
It is the cleanest and safest
city I have ever walked
through.
Click the image for a high-res
version.
The city/state of Singapore. Over the Christmas port call
some buddies and myself saw "The Lord of the Rings:
Fellowship of the Ring" and "Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer's Stone" at one of the newest theatres in the city.
We ended up walking back to our hotel after a late New
Year's Eve dinner at 3:00 in the morning, and saw no one
except a few police officers. Singapore's crime rate is very,
very small.
Click the image to see a high-res version, and use the "Back"
button to return here.
some buddies and myself saw "The Lord of the Rings:
Fellowship of the Ring" and "Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer's Stone" at one of the newest theatres in the city.
We ended up walking back to our hotel after a late New
Year's Eve dinner at 3:00 in the morning, and saw no one
except a few police officers. Singapore's crime rate is very,
very small.
Click the image to see a high-res version, and use the "Back"
button to return here.
The Merlion statue on Sentosa, keeping
watch over Singapore. This mythical
creature, half lion and half fish, is believed
to have been a guardian of Singapore and
is the city/state's emblem (note the people
on the statue's observation deck in the
photo at left).
At night the Merlion stature, over 60 feet
tall, is lit up and lasers fire from its eyes
as part of a show that tells myths and
legends of Singapore, including the
Merlion's defeat of an evil dragon that
once threatened the island.
The image at left was made in Aug of
2001, the image at right in Dec of 2001.
watch over Singapore. This mythical
creature, half lion and half fish, is believed
to have been a guardian of Singapore and
is the city/state's emblem (note the people
on the statue's observation deck in the
photo at left).
At night the Merlion stature, over 60 feet
tall, is lit up and lasers fire from its eyes
as part of a show that tells myths and
legends of Singapore, including the
Merlion's defeat of an evil dragon that
once threatened the island.
The image at left was made in Aug of
2001, the image at right in Dec of 2001.
This is Singapore, last city the USS Carl Vinson visited
during peace-time, first city she pulled into during wartime.
This is where we spent Christmas 2001 and New Year's,
2002. Singapore is a great city, a cross-roads of Asia. If you
can only visit one city in all of Asia, give Singapore strong
consideration.
Click the image to see a high-res version, and use the "Back"
button to return here.
during peace-time, first city she pulled into during wartime.
This is where we spent Christmas 2001 and New Year's,
2002. Singapore is a great city, a cross-roads of Asia. If you
can only visit one city in all of Asia, give Singapore strong
consideration.
Click the image to see a high-res version, and use the "Back"
button to return here.
