Michael Chmilar's Travels

WWII DUKW amphibious vehicle, now used for tours in Singapore.

Duck and Hippo

For sightseeing around Singapore I got a pass from Ducktours. They have a variety of packages. I went with two days of Hop-On Hop-Off (HiPPO) bundled with a Duck Tour and a Singapore Flyer ticket.

Duck

The Duck is a World War II DUKW amphibious vehicle. These are a popular tourist attraction in Singapore, and I have seen at least one other company offering tours in a DUKW. The Ducktour leaves from the Suntec Convention Center, drives on roads until it reaches a ramp into the water, tours around the Marina Bay, and then leaves the water and returns home.

The driver's area in the WWII DUKW.
The driver’s area in the WWII DUKW.
Viewing the Marina Bay Sands while the DUKW tour passes under bridges.
Viewing the Marina Bay Sands while the DUKW tour passes under bridges.
The DUKW prepares to transition from water to land.
The DUKW prepares to transition from water to land.
A DUKW returns from an amphibious tour in Singapore.
A DUKW returns from an amphibious tour in Singapore.

HiPPO Bus

The HiPPO is an open-topped double-decker bus. The routes cover most of the locations that tourists will be interested in visiting. You can hop off at any stop, and hop back on and ride for as long as your pass is valid.

A view of the Raffles Hotel from the top deck of the HIPPO.
A view of the Raffles Hotel from the top deck of the HiPPO bus.

HiPPO River Cruise

The HiPPO River Cruise visits a larger group of sites than the Ducktour.

Some water taxis in Singapore.
HiPPO River Cruise boat, and Singapore Water Taxi.
Riding in a Water Taxi, in Singapore.
Riding on the HiPPO River Cruise.

Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer is a large Ferris Wheel, similar to the London Eye. One rotation takes about a half-hour.

A view of the Singapore Flyer and the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum.
A view of the Singapore Flyer and the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum.

The cabins are quite large. On my ride, there were very few people on-board.

Inside a Singapore Flyer cabin, as it begins a rotation.
Inside a Singapore Flyer cabin, as it begins a rotation.
A view from the Singapore Flyer. A DUKW approaches a bridge, below.
A view from the Singapore Flyer. A DUKW approaches a bridge, below.

The view is good, and you can see the ships passing by, and what I assume is Indonesia in the distance.

Near the apex of the Singapore Flyer.
Near the apex of the Singapore Flyer.
A rain shower begins as the Singapore Flyer cabin nears the end of its rotation.
A rain shower begins as the Singapore Flyer cabin nears the end of its rotation.

Short rain showers are common in Singapore, but it waited until my rotation was nearly complete to start.

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