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Published: November 18th 2005
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Skyline from the New Asia Bar
Sun goes down on Singapore for another day.... As I was only in Singapore for two days I knew I had to make the most of it despite having had: one nights sleep on a porch in Phi Phi, followed by a night/early morning of drinking Whisky, followed by a night of sleeping rough in Bangkok Airport. So to say the least I was slightly jaded!
Please Do Not Litter
I made my first social faux pas within an hour (a new personal record) by drinking my bottle of water whilst on the MRT- Mass Rapid Transit:
no food or drink to be consumed at stations or on the train I got advised by a very friendly official, "No worries" I said putting it away and glanced at the man behind me eating a full on Burger King Whopper Burger (apparentky Whoppers must be exempt) and making far more mess than my Evian! It seems wrong that in a place that lies on the equator you are unable to prevent yourself from dehydration but anyhow! The MRT however is a pleasure to use: efficient, clean and cheap-make sure that you cash in your plastic tickets after using them to get back your dollar refund.
People use the
You see....
Just like the tube! words 'sterile' and 'clinical' when talking about Singapore, true enough it is a clean place and it is even more evident when coming from some of the less developed countries of SE Asia. However I think these terms are fairly derisive terms and insinuate it as being a cold place in terms of friendliness when its anything but. The people are lovely and welsoming and just like on the tube at home(!) will start talking to you on the MRT! My friendliest encounter was with 'Bobby'...infact my somewhat overfriendly waiter at Raffles-he invited me back later for free drinks and then go out with the rest of the staff, "we all go out after work and you can join us Clare", although raving with the Raffles team until the early hours was a very kind offer I had my very strict agenda I had to adhere to...
Night Safari
There is a fair amount to do in 'da pore', I managed to get to Singapore Night Safari which was really cool. Unfortunately you can't take any photos using flash photography as the animals are nocturnal and it disturbs them, however that doesn't stop the odd ejit from attempting to
stun Elephants with their camera..If you go I recommend getting the tram car too for a few extra dollars, it drives you round the park and you get stop offs to visit some of the animals away from the track.. You get to see Lions, Leopards, Flying Squirrels, Hippos, Deers, Hyenas and my favourite animals the Giraffes...they were so elegant chomping away on the trees.
Chinatown
Chinatown is also well worth a visit, a colourful place full of little trinket shops and food stalls. Head to
Smith Street which apparently has now been renamed Food Street-its a cool little street which is littered (but not in a bad way-this is still Singapore!) with small food stalls offering an array of dim sums and full chinese meals. Its a fun and cheap eattery where locals and tourists sit side by side munching on mini spring rolls and noodle soup. Get there mid to late afternoon on a weekend for the full Smith Street experience!
Shopping
The front cover of the Singapore Lonely Planet depicts a photo of a shopping bag and whilst there is so much more to this place it is a large part of it and nowhere
Downtown Singapore
The Shopping District: Orchard Road better to experience it than Orchard Road. This was a bit of a culture shock for me -shopping malls, designer clothes...HOW MUCH???
The old UK faves are in there including Top Shop and my personal favourite (as its my employer) Marks and Spencer..all hopes of getting a Prawn and Mayonnaise Sandwich (anorak fact: once reported as M and S's best selling sarny) were quickly dashed, no perishable goods goddammit!
The Christmas run-in had sort of passed me by untl I reached Singapore and in particular Orchard Road which probably doesn't look too dissimilar to Oxford Street, Christmas lights everywhere so much so that I had to don my sunglasses. The fact that I was seeing Christmas whilst wearing Factor 20 did have a bearing on my feelings, I don't think I am going to get used to heat and Christmas being in the same sentence it seems totally incongruous.
Drinking
One of the best things that I did whilst I was there was visit the New Asia Bar in the Stamford Hotel (joined to The Raffles shopping mall), go there before sunset and you get to see the skyline gradually illuminate as the sun goes to bed
in the west! Truely Wonderful!
Dress Code Applies for Men: trousers and shoes (no sandals).
Yes a bit of a flash indulgent thing to do but you have to treat yourself at times and its totally worth it when you have a nice memory for those rainy days back in the UK.
Extra Time
If you have more time to kill the Asian Civilsations Museum is well worth a visit. It takes you through the countries of Asia explaining about the religions, spirituality and development of the areas. This is in the civic district and you could easily spend half an hour here. A river cruise is also worth doing and a great way to see parts of the city.
I rounded off my time in Singapore in Little India which is where I was staying. This place errupts on a Sunday , indian families and friends meet to browse food markets and share dinner. Its a fusion of smells, colours and music and is marvellous.
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Jordan North
non-member comment
Fantastic Blog
I am 5 days in Singapore over New Year, your review of your trip as provided some enlightining information and viewpoints. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.