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Published: December 31st 2008
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OK a little bit of a problem before we even began. I forgot my journal so had to use Steve's and it's got really big words in it that I didn't understand
but we managed in the end so you may notice some similarities between our blogs.
Tuesday 09th December Arrived Singapore airport absolutely shattered. Not sure if it had anything to do with the amount of alcohol we consumed on the flight! The travelling doesn't end there - we need to get into town but I must say it was very easily done. We caught the Sky-Train (a bit like a monorail) to the tube station which got us into town. We then made our way to the Hostel which we've pre-booked. It's in the "Little India" area. It was quite late so quite hard to see what it was like there. We arrived to check into the four bedded dorm which ended up being a ten bedded dorm so we'll see how that one goes! As I'm so tired I think I could sleep anywhere! It cost 40S$ (Singapore Dollars) which is about 18 quid.
Wednesday 10th December Wrongo!!!! Due to the door being on an annoying
Big Buddha dude
The Temple of 1000 lights "slow-shut" mechanism which worked up until it slammed shut I probably got about 2 hours sleep throughout the whole night. So we went to see about moving to a double room. Luckily someone had cancelled so we could move in at midday. It cost 59S$ (26 quid) but I'll pay anything for a nights sleep at the moment! and you get a TV and DVD player which is good. Breakfast included! The best coffee I think I've ever tasted and help yourself to eggs and toast which you could cook any way you like. Looking around everyone seems to have stuck with the requested 2 eggs and 2 slices of toast until your eyes went to Steve's plate - lets just say he took advantage! Went to see some of the sights: The Sri Krishnan Temple where Steve said a little prayer and made a wish but he wouldn't tell me what it was. They also tell your fortune. You get a cylindrical brass vase with 50 or so wooden sticks in it. You shake the vase until a stick pops out, then take it to a guy who gives you a piece of paper with an explanation of what
Another temple!
It's soooo pretty!!! the stick signifies - a bit like a long version of a fortune cookie! We saw the Taoist, Leong San See Temple, built in 1917, and the Thai Buddhist Sakaya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple (a.k.a. Temple of 1000 Lights) with a 15m high Buddha. We also popped into the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple which is dedicated to the goddess Kali, where they seemed to be blessing a small, elephant statue with talcum powder! Went to a food hall for lunch and had a big Chinese dumpling (bao), 1.60S$ (73p) for two. Had a general look around Litte India. Loads of Indian mosques, street stalls, music etc. I blessed our money in some sort of smelly fire - I don't know what it does but I saw some locals doing it! Got a take-away from another food hall, 2 naan, 2 curries, 2 rice and 2 free samples of other curries for 9.00S$ (4.10 quid). We're quite tired so had an early night with a DVD.
Thursday 11th December More sights today:- Singapore Arts Museum, Chinatown's Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapores oldest Hokkein building which is the Thian Hock Keng Temple. It then went from glorious sunshine to heavy rain within about
Buddha Idol.
They looked at me funny when I asked for "Firestarter" by The Prodigy 30 seconds. Luckily two minutes later it went back to glorious sunshine just as quickly! We walked along Marina Bay (a building site at the moment), across Singapore River to see the Old Parliament House, the Old Supreme Court and the "spaceship style" Norman Foster (is he a sir?) designed New Supreme Court. We then wrote New Year messages/wishes on big, white beach balls which will be tossed into the Straits of Singapore as part of the New Year celebrations. Then Raffles Hotel to use the shitters as on our budget even a drink wasn't on the cards. It was 22S$ (10 quid) for a Singapore Sling or 16S$ (7 quid) for a small beer. The heavens then REALLY opened and we had an early evening thunderstorm. Luckily we could walk underground to the tube station and it took about 30 minutes which was pretty cool as it's not on any of the maps due to it being indoors. We took the tube back. Round to a food hall again for tea - Chinese tonight, crispy duck, pork, noodles, rice and steamed vegetables for 10S$ (4.50 quid). We're starting to get boring - we watched a DVD again.
Friday 12th December
Went to catch the bus to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It cost 64S$ (29 quid) Business Class which is about the same as Business Class on flights, with air-con and took 7½ hours. We began being the first people on there for about half an hour before picking all the locals up - a bit like it was in Bolivia and Argentina where the locals probably pay a snippet of what you've paid. But luckily no standing up in the aisles treading on your toes. The journey went OK. It stopped to get our exit and entry stamps into Malaysia without problem and we arrived in Kuala Lumpur at about 6pm(ish) so we hunted for a hostel. A lot of basic doubles already taken so they offered us ones with air-con, TV etc for double the price but we ended up coming across one pretty basic but has a bed which will do the job.
Back in a few days to tell you about our time in Malaysia.
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anonymous
non-member comment
I believe its 'Lord' Norman Foster now.