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Published: January 28th 2007
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We made it!
Don't we look Fresh and Beautiful? 11:30pm January 23, we hopped on the plane for the LONG journey around the world. After 21 hours, 3 meals, 2 vain attempts at a comfortable sleep and a brief stop in Taipei, Taiwan, we FINALLY landed at our destination - Singapore. After 36 hours of travel, let me tell you, we looked BEAUTIFUL and FRESH!!!
Our first "day" in Singapore, we braved public transport with our backpacks and managed our way to our hostel, A Traveller's Reststop. Ha, it only took us 2 hours. Quite a cute little guesthouse with VERY friendly staff. A nap was definitely in order...well, a "nap" turned into the next morning. Oops, I guess jet lag hit us pretty hard.
We woke up to Rain, Rain and more Rain. We certainly didn't let that stop us! Umbrellas in hand, we ventured off to sightsee, like the tourists we are. We walked through Chinatown and took in all the lights and festivities that are being arranged for Chinese New Year next month. Then, we ventured on a Temple Trek. First we saw Sri Mariamman Temple, a colorful Hindi temple full of beautiful statues and shires to the various gods. Quite cool to walk barefoot
through the temple and watch some of the various ceremonies being celebrated. Next, we visited Thian Hock Keng Temple - a Chinese temple along Telok Ayer (lined with beautifully green parks). The smell of burning insense permeated the temple as we walked through the "temple of heavenly happiness". We crossed the river as the rain let up and ventured into St. Andrew's Cathedral - a giant cathedral with British architecture and colorful stained-glass windows.
After our religious parade, we stepped it up and visited Raffles Hotel, pretending to be high rollers!!! What a gorgeous hotel! A pristine white hotel built in the late 19th century and the place where the Singapore Sling was invented, it was seriously a sight of luxury. Fountains, delicate cafes, posh shops and marble pillars and ceilings - hmmm, definitely my next visit to Singapore, I will be staying there! Oh, and I didn't hesitate to stop in Tiffany's!!!!
By this point, the sun was peaking through the clouds. Finally! The Fountain of Wealth was next on the list. Touch the water with your right hand, and walk around the fountain 3 times, and make a wish. Next to Sim Lim Square - the
Streets in Singapore
Making preps for Chinese New Year electronic mecca. I didn't buy anything because blond hair and glowing white skin equals being seriously ripped off! But I have heard people finding some sweet deals on new electronics.
The Kwan In Temple was our last stop and probably one of my favs. A Chinese temple in the Bugis area surrounded by flower vendors and fortune tellers. As we sat and watched hundreds of people coming and going, we met this amazing lady who told us about the rituals that take place. People go to the temple with a problem or something that requires guidance. Take a gold canister of wooden fortune sticks from the monk's desk, and kneel (minus the shoes of course) on a red carpet set infront of a massive golden shrine. Shake the canister until a single fortune stick falls unto the ground. Then throw 2 red kidney-shaped objects into the air and watch how they land. Once they land one facing up, the other facing down, it is YOUR fortune stick. The monks then reveal an interpretation on the problem or need for guidance. Well, you know me, I like the interactive stuff and can't let an opportunity pass me by, so I
thanked the pleasant lady and tried my hand at the golden canister. Oh dear, I'm in trouble!!!!!!!!! Yeah, my forture was "BAD". Not liking my ill-fortune, I decided to play against fate again. Note to self, don't mess with FATE, she ALWAYS win. Another shake at the canister and another single fortune stick fell and yet another "BAD" reading! Hmmm, maybe I should be actually attending some of these temples instead of just being a camera-happy tourist! Anyway, it was very amusing and I was super happy to have chatted with the lady who told us all about the ritual.
We walked back to our guesthouse and got caught in a MASSIVE rain storm. One minute, the shine was peaking through the clouds, and the next I was soaked. No time to even find the umbrella I'd stashed away in my backpack. The rain continued for probably half an hour...and then just cleared. Strange weather, strange strange weather.
Tomorrow we are leaving Singapore. Off to Melaka in Malaysia!
PS. I may have found a solution to my USB problem...I'll see if I can post some pics in the next little bit.
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Johanna
non-member comment
jealous
Hey Emily, I have to admit I'm quite jealous. Having traveled through south east asia myself, I can really imagine the great experience it'll be for you. I remember how scared you were, when we met in Perth, before you head over to KL. It's good to see what a positive experience that was and how it open your eyes to a whole new adventure. Enjoy your trip!