Singapore Sling....

Singapore

I thought Singapore would have ultra modern, sparkling clean hostels...no, it was a run down shoebox, toilet doors broken and a busy noisy Little India below. I felt rather disorientated and lonely when I awoke, realising Alysha was already at home, but once I had asked the very friendly lady at reception where to go, I was fine. She was so helpful and took me through a walking route of the city, she told me where I could stop for spicy Indian ice cream and which Temples I shouldn't miss out.

A guy I had met on the plane, Morgan from France, who decided to follow me to the hostel, accompanied me and we set off around Little India. The smells are both amazing and gut wrenching. The tiny streets are crammed with shops bursting with TV's and electricals...OH&S is not a high priority here! There are fruit and veg in all shapes and sizes and a thousand restaurants. Ping, the receptionist had said we could walk in and take photos at Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. So after removing our shoes we walked clockwise around it, which was supposed to bring good luck. Indian music played as three lines of people took it in turns to go up and pray. We watched as people would pray next to different shrines then get wax dabbed on their forehead. I wished I had a guide there with us to explain more about their culture and traditions.

Continuing our walk we passed people on bikes carrying a thousand newspapers and a man working on an old fridge by the side of the street. In comparison we came to the Famous Raffles Hotel...very posh with gorgeous architecture. Then we walked along to find the fortune telling Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple. It is a local place of worship for devotees of kuan Yin or Guan Yin, the Chinese goddess of Mercy. Built in 1884 it is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Singapore. It is said that what ever you wish for within these walls comes true. People light several joss sticks (incense sticks), bow with them and make a wish before placing them in an urn. They then enter the Temple and pick up a container filled with wooden sticks and shake it until one stick falls out. Each stick has a number; they give this to the interpreter who then hand over a piece of paper, which tells you your fortune. If your wish comes true, you are supposed to return to the temple and offer fruits and flowers to say thank you. It was amazing how many people were there offering apples and pears.

Along the Esplanade the Singapore River is lined with small colourful shacks, a vast contrast to the modern skyscrapers behind them. The whole city is full of contrasts between old and new. Chewing gum is illegal here, which means the streets are very clean. Over the bridge we entered China Town, there are more Chinese than any other nationality living here. It was huge, so many stalls and shops selling souvenirs, silks and artwork. I watched as one man wrote travellers names in Chinese calligraphy. It is very expensive in Singapore, nowhere displays prices and each gadget shop will offer you a different price so we went bargain hunting! We chose somewhere that was buzzing with people, always a good sign, and it was, the food was excellent ad all for $3. We took the MRT (underground) back to the hostel; it was very cool and even housed a TV inside the carriage.

Meeting 2 guys from the UK at reception we all booked the Night Safari trip. It was a great laugh and we had a chance to get close to nocturnal animals and the big cats. We took a tram around the huge park and saw rhinos, anteaters, hippos, giraffe, zebra, flamingos...you name it and all in the dark! Eeeek!

The following day I spent with 3 girls from the hostel. We all signed up for the guided tour around Shuang Lin Monastery. Our guide Chan Chow Wah was an anthropologist and took us on the most insightful walk. He explained the history of Singapore and China, told us gossip stories and made us realise how many years it took to restore the incredible architecture. H explained that in each culture the Buddha may have a different ethnicity and that Buddhism is not a strict set of rules, everyone practices differently but arrive at the same destination. They are all very accepting. Education is considered a sign of intelligence and respect. He said that 2000 are chosen as the elite and will go on to have a say in new policies. It was a great tour and or a good cause.

From here us girls went to the Esplanade and on to China Town for lunch after recovering from very spicy noodles we walked to Clarke Quay and into the shopping mall. Resisting the temptation of The Great Singapore Sale we wandered on to some of the bars; Clinic, which had wheelchairs outside, and drinks are supplied through a drip! We got stuck in the middle of a huge lightning storm so after eating icecream and watching the display we decided it was time to go for cocktails; Singapore Slings all round...a perfect way to end my time in this country.

xx Shaz

---

---

---