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Published: November 25th 2005
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The First View
I opened my eyes after a few hours of slumber, and this is what I saw. Good thing my camera was beside my bed! I know I have a few entries that start with an excuse for the delay in 'publishing' it, and this time it's really down to my technophobe ways. Then dreading the catch up! Finally I've learned a few tricks so you'll have my last 5 weeks all at once- SORRY!
I must have hardened from numerous travelling situations over the last few months, as I feel as though I've floated into this interesting city with such ease. I suppose being able to read a map, and ask just about anyone a question and get a smile and an english response helps too! Having said that, I did just leave a slight nightmare behind in Phuket.
I had enjoyed my comfy bed for a little too long resulting in missing the cheap airport bus and instead roaming the streets at 7am for a taxi, a moto, or a tukuk to take me to the airport pronto! Where are they when you most need them?? Finally I jumped into a converted ice cream truck posing as a tuktuk and screamed for the pedal to the metal. He stopped for some petrol and to ask for some money upfont, "AIRPORT
The mosque
I didn't mind my hostel being just a few doors away from this building of beauty. And luckily I didn't hear the early morning calls to prayer! NOW!!". Even that didn't seem to stress my urgency. Much to my surprise, we pulled into the airport still having 20 minutes until the gates closed. We drove up the ramp towards departures and just then, we ran out of petrol. I also discovered that the emergency break clearly didn't work as we started rolling backwards, into the approaching traffic. Why do these situations happen to me? Thinking of the 20 minute countdown, I threw some baht at the driver, threw my bag out the door and took a giant leap of faith. Lucky for me, my pack landed on the hood of an approaching car making it all the much easier for me to collect and start running towards the check in. I must have looked like a complete mad woman-uh, no comments please! Anyways, I glanced back just momentarily and saw my former driver rolling his vehicle to the side with the help of some other drivers.
The folks at the tourist info office at the airport filled my arms with pamphlets, and gave me a few free tokens to use at the Deepavali festival a few doors away from my hostel. The metro system was
House Tops
Such detail and colour just a few doors away easy to navigate, just mind blowing for its' efficiency. So what's left to do on my first day? What's better than a nap at any time of day?!! After my snooze I managed to walk around Little India. I was immediatly transported to a Bollywood set, "Is it like this all of the time?" I asked a shopkeeper. Apparently, the street lights are only for the festival, but the activity within the market place was just like every other day. I tried to fit into the festivities by having my hand henna'd in the decorative curls and twists as the Indian women do. I made a bit of a fool of myself when I said thank you in malay.
When I made my way over to the renowned shopping area, Orchard Road, I was blown away even more than the day before by the clean and orderly fashion that everybody went about their business of shopping. Faces from so many different backgrounds clutched their purchases and herded through the wide sidewalks. The trees lining the streets were HUGE and the shops opposite all had such an intense polish that I had to keep my sunnies on for the
entire day (and it was very overcast!). Even if I don't quite fit the part, I was there for a specific reason as well. Having tired of spending my travel money at the internet cafes whilst forcing my brain to remember what I've done over the previous weeks, I've decided to buy a laptop. A few hours later and several dollars lighter I am the proud owner of a new apple powerbook. Who knows how long it will take me to figure out how it works!! After THE purchase, I had a strange experience within one of the posh shopping centers. I had lost all sense of direction and was surrounded by shops that I wanted nothing from. All I wanted to do was leave the mall but I couldn't find my way. I've never expected to have a panic attack in a shopping area, but it seems that time has hit. Give me a supermarket and I'll be fine. Have I aged past my 31 years too quickly?
Upon returning to the hostel, I joined a Taiwanese girl for a few drinks on the town. We headed down to the waterfront area called Clark Quay and mingled
The First Rule
Don't cross the street within the crowds and downed a few Singapore Slingers. With the alcohol level surging, I plucked up enough courage to strap myself into the reverse bungy. Rather than having to dangle from my feet, I was strapped into a comfy chair, then shot upwards 60 meters. There really is adventure everywhere you look!
In the morning I finally managed an early start and explored the downtown waterfront buildings. Singapore chose the strangest mascot for their city a few years ago, called the "Merlion'. It's 1/2 fish and 1/2 dragon, not the first thing I imagine when I think of Singapore. I joined the tour bus groups and took a few photos of him. Most corners I passed seemed to have a Raffles association to it, if not that, it's the Merlion. I headed towards the direction of the cable car over to Sentosa Island. My shopping mall panic attack was then repeated when trying to find the right exit from the metro. Why must every type of exit come into a shopping mall? I DON'T WANT TO SHOP!! Luckily, there were a few signs to the cable car. It was interesting looking down on the harbour and seeing
Raffles and Muscle
Not the classic hotel here but Mr. Raffles truely made his mark everywhere the amount of shipping cargo waiting to be offloaded. There were also a couple of cruise ships that we passed over, tantalising us with their top deck pools.
Sentosa Island is a mini theme park of which I wasn't really hugely interested in. (I really only went for the gondola ride over) but seeing as I was there all ready, might as well enjoy a coffee in the shop right? After that, I thought it would be wrong to do absolutely nothing on the island, so I jumped onto a luge cruising down the hill under the chairlift. It was a great laugh, although it would have been better if somebody I knew witnessed the speeds that I made around the corners! At the bottom of the hill I was surprised to see a beach filled with locals trying out their wake boards. It looked as though the beach itself came out of a film set as it was so out of place! Nice to look at though, and then leave!
There were quite a few things that I didn't explore in the city. The zoo and night safaris seem to be on the top of
Henna Hand
This little chap took an entire 3 minutes for the ornate curls that stayed on my hand for a couple of weeks everybody's list. Having done Africa a few months earlier, I felt it wasn't really for me.
For my final day in Singapore, I had a chance to meet up with an old friend. Timing couldn't have been more perfect really, as Maria's flight got in in the morning and I left in the evening. We enjoyed a sushi lunch and a quick stroll before I ventured back to the airport. Just 3 days in this city, but I experienced and saw what I needed. Off to Australia now for a quick visit.
Hope all is well with everybody as always. A backlog of blogs are on their way to you now...
Fiona
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Mom
non-member comment
catching planes
I stayed in the hotel in the airport overnight a few years ago. must have known of potential problems in catching an early morning plane. Your attempt to catch your plane is hilarious and I can just picture it! Looking good, kid, with your straight hair. Keep on blogging-I love to read about your exploits. Love Mom