Singapore!!

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Singapore - 7-9 April 2010

After years of stopping in Singapore as a transit passenger to other countries, I finally decided to explore this small & unique country a bit more =) it also meant more to be here after meeting so many Singaporians in Melbourne & hearing different views about the place...

I guess for a superficial glance at the place, it's true what people say: you dont need much longer than 2 or 3 days here... but like all places, there's lies far greater things beneath the surface & these take a significantly longer time to discover & understand.

I'm glad I visited Singapore after having spent 3wks in Malaysia & after having had a conversation with a Singaporian in Melbourne about the history of its separation from greater Malaysia.... I could really see the Malaysian influence on Singapore & felt sad for the people in a sense... whilst it's true that Singapore is far cleaner, more orderly/organised, and more economically stable than most of its neighbors (something most ASEAN nations venerate Singapore for)... I felt that it was all a facade... like it was a group of Malaysians who have been oppressed from expressing their true selves - bound by a foreign system of governance for the sake of having a "more fulfilling(?)/prosperous(?) lifestyle & subsequently the reputation that comes with that. I wished somebody would unleash the "(invisible, yet tight) hold" i saw their & let Singaporians express their full colors!

anyway, that's just my basic opinion after on 2days there... i'm glad they've at least kept the same food as the Malaysians =) after a 6wk absence from the region, i was really craving the curries & other varieties of flavours (reason i chose to stay in the suburb called "little india". I really loved Little India... my hostel there was great (accom is so expensive there, so I had to do the whole backpacker hostel thing...) it's so not my thing!! hehe... i'm so maarte now as my Filipino friends would say ;p

anyway the hostel was relatively great! & little india was full of ...um... french-style buildings...hehe, and lots of colors & flavors to enjoy! I spent my first afternoon there catching up on sleep & resting...I also had the interesting experience of visiting the small, but striving Orthodox chapel there... coincidently it was the week of Pascha (Easter) so very fitting to receive a blessing from Archbishop Daniel (whom I really enjoyed speaking to)...

on my 2nd day there Thur 8th April, I woke up early & armed with a map & huge brekky, I set out to explore the entire city (mostly on foot)... and I did! you really can walk around Singapore in a day if u have to! hehe... the city was nite... my fave part is definitely the river quay with all the resto's, lights (in the night), boats, people, beautiful sunset & access to most of the main sites in the city... Had an awesome dinner - 1/2 a pineapple cut open, emptied & filled with fried rice & vegies!! mmmmmm....
i needed about 3 tummies to finish the lot! hehe... & i got a free beer with my dinner! bonus! =)

I got back to my hostel around 9pm...freshened up, powdered my nose, etc.. & caught the train to the airport... my flight to Manila was scheduled for midnight, arriving in Manila at 4am to catch another flight at 6am to General Santos in South Mindanao...

Highlights from Singapore:
- aside from the food... & the charms of little india...
- meeting the nice lady in the Buddhism store who gave me a small fortune wish thing which describes me as: "ahem...you are a special soul who easily destroys obstacles with the generosity of your overflowing heart" ... ahem! hehe... such a sweet message, put a (modest) smile on my face =)
-watching the sunset by the river on my last nite
- being alone again as a traveller & enjoying tackling the obstacles, challenges, etc of travel

Tan-O-Meter

still good from my great efforts in Cambodia - and all that walking did wanders for my figure ;p hehe

Flight Count

Siem Reap to Singapore
Singapore to Manila
Manila to Gen San

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Photos

palawan beach!
like palawan in philippines...

Comments

[Jacob Christopher]

Good Holiday
You have had a good holiday and your pic with the New Merlion at Sentosa is very nice. I have traveled to Singapore many times staying at different discount hotels Singapore and from my part…love the place for what it is!