Mike - Post 13

Mermaids, Mermen and now… Merlions

(or)

(Hey Mississippi!! – Two More Lessons)

Some countries have a particular symbol which represents their citizens.  In the U.S, we have the Bald Eagle. Spend any amount of time in Singapore and you quickly learn the “Merlion” is their symbol.  (Singa is Indian and Malay for Lion, and Pura means City).

Because Singapore is at it’s heart a sea-port, the Lion is a natural shoo-in.  Of course, with tourism being a very big part of Singapore, it probably didn’t take long for the Merlion itself to become a tourist attraction.

After paying 12 dollars, I went inside – wondering what I was going to see, and also hoping that there was an elevator (this place has to be at least 8 stories tall!).  Once in, we watched a short 5 minute video, and were told we could take our Merlion coin to the next room, where a statue would grant us a prize.  Ok… the way everyone was excited, I figure we must be getting something pretty… and as hot as it is outside, if my “prize” is a bottle of soda, I’ll be happy as well.

Once I had the token, there really wasn’t much more to do.  I could ride the elevator to the top – get out and look at the world through the mouth of the lion.

Hhhmm.... yes, that rates way up there on the excitement scale.  Since I saw this the other night, and the mouth was lit up, I guess this is more for night time pictures.  I’ll have to remember that for when Karen and the boys come over.  Wouldn’t mind having a picture of them in the mouth of a lion.  (But something tells me Micah would climb over the lion’s lip, and start working his way up to the ear!)

It was at the top of the lion’s head that I was able to see more of Singapore.  And I did see something interesting – it’s not uncommon to see rooftops with full beds of grass and bush.  One of the nationals I work with says it is what they do to combat greenhouse gases.  Maybe that’s something we should think about – I bet covering every walmart in the US with grass would do a lot more to reduce greenhouse gas than trying to build a bunch of windmills.  (Hey Mississippi!!– might want to think about this one)

It was at the back of the lion’s head where something interesting caught my eye.  There was a long strip of multi-colors down below.  And from the looks of it, I thought it might be one long continuous slide.

When I finally made it down to the bottom, I found that this is where the runoff from the waterfall goes.  While it is not a “slide”, it is a man-made creek.  And everyone comes here to cool of their feet.  (Another interesting idea we should have more of back in the states – Hey Mississippi!!-another free lesson from the good folks of Singapore)

And let me tell you – at the end of the day, I was glad to be able to put my feet in something cool!

As for my lucky prize? A small plastic hand-held oriental fan.  Ooohhhh!!!