Clarence K Bronson (DD 668) - Naval Cruise Book

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3m(ictfiofie And we paused at Singapore, city of mys- tery, delight and fantasy, featiuing gorgeous Chinese girls in hobble skirts sht so danger- ously that little is left for the most vivid of imaginations. A refuge for buccaneers during the Middle Ages when piracy was prevalent in the Malacca Straits, the City of the Lion has been invaded and dominated by many European and Asiatic nations, thus accomiting for her diverse peoples and races. Although now a British Crown Colony, a distinct Chino- Indian influence pervades the city, her inhabi- tants, her customs. In touring the city one ' s first impression is that every day is Monday with family washings flapping far overhead as you wend your way through the narrow shop-lined streets. Tri- shaws, rather than rickshaws as in other cities of the Orient, come racing down on you with natives agilely sidestepping and tourists stum- bling for cover. Occasionally Hindu Mosques with elaborately carved figures of their gods rise from the turmoil below. In the few places where vegetation may be found, sacred Brahma cows graze, free to stray at will. Dimly lit Buddhist temples are seen close by with their guardian priests ever eager to explain the wonder in the life of their prince of princes, all cash donations accepted for the service. Snagging a cab, we leave tlie grossly over- populated urban area in quest of a cooler region. An all-inclusive botanical garden ( which is O.K. if you like to look at trees with signs on tliem, as our own Wild Bill puts it) is on hand for the nature lover. Bubber trees abound along the roads and at Jahore the prince ' s palace with minarets towering sky- ward and lion cubs frolicking in the brilliant sunlight, is a sight to behold. Singapore ' s own 65