MAR 13, 2000

DOLPHINS were on her mind when American pop singer

BY ARTI MULCHAND

Mariah Carey arrived in Singapore late Sunday afternoon.

Underwater World at Sentosa had offered to let her swim with the pink dolphins in its Dolphin Lagoon.

Word was that she refused to even get out of her private jet until it was confirmed that she could head there almost right away.

But first, there were her fans to tend to.

About 450 of them had gathered at Changi Airport's Terminal 2 to welcome her, some from early as 10 am. Many were screaming what resembled the diva's shrill tea-kettle whistle.

When Carey, who arrived from Tokyo for her one-night performance at the National Stadium on Monday, finally appeared in a tight white tank-top, black skirt and signature Chanel sunglasses, they went crazy.

Carey, 30, certainly made their trip to the airport worthwhile. For about 15 minutes, she mingled with them to sign autographs, flash her pearly whites and even answer questions.

She was then ushered into a waiting Mercedes Benz and sped off with a Cisco-car escort to the hotel in the Marina area, where she will be staying until Tuesday.

At the hotel, she disappeared up to her room, re-appearing 30 minutes later in a grey and red bikini and matching Prada pumps, ready to frolic with the dolphins.

When she finally reached the Dolphin Lagoon, Carey asked The Straits Times reporter jokingly, fingering her bikini: "They won't arrest me for wearing this, will they?"

Sure "they" wouldn't, she was assured.

In any case, this concern was forgotten as soon as she got into the water. Forty-five minutes later, she emerged looking content and ready to embark on her final quest of the day -- Cantonese food.

She tidied up at the Beaufort Hotel, and then, donning a long, slinky black dress, zipped off with her group to the Lei Garden restaurant at Chijmes.