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Published: January 27th 2012
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Singapore isn’t really what I expected, I think. It is very similar to a lot of other cities we have been to before in that it has the modern buildings, casinos, high viewing points, redeveloped harbours, Chinatown and shopping. It is a fabulous city but overall its drive to be “western” may ruin it slightly. Everywhere you look the adverts have western models, the designer shops (you would not believe the amount of them) are just continuous and very similar to what you would see in Dublin, New York, London etc. and the buildings are so new that the “lived in” feeling is lost to the WOW factor. Do not get me wrong, the city is so clean and well-kept it is a breeze to hang out in and get around but maybe it is just a bit too much. Ok – rambling over, I can’t really decide!
Day 1 After our long trek from Dublin via Frankfurt we finally arrived in Singapore on time. We had a shuttle bus booked with the hostel so we trawled from the baggage area sweating like crazy! We had a nice trip into the city just the two
of us on the bus and had a good look at a few views along the way.
We checked into our hostel, The Wink Hostel. The room we booked was a dorm room with “PODS”. Each pod in the room was double and the set-up is similar to bunk beds really. Of course we had a top one J. This was good and bad in that when I had to rush to the loo in the night it was a bit more work but also the privacy was better with the top ones. Overall the hostel was great and we shared the room with a few different couples – all very quiet to be honest so not much friend making yet!
Day 1 was a write off by the time we had checked in, sorted out a few bits and pieces and sent messages letting people know we had arrived. Because we didn’t sleep on the plane it was a better decision to have an early night!
Day 2 Up early this morning after our sleep (finally). After spotting the Marina Bay Sands Hotel
on the way from the airport we decided this was our first port of call. So we walked from the hostel through the financial district to Marina Bay. This is a developed area with lots of fab buildings and things to do. We just walked around taking in the sights of the hotel (a boat is built on top of the hotel), the art science museum, a bridge built in model of DNA. We strolled through an unreal shopping centre at the hotel with every designer name under the sun, oh to be here on a luxury holiday (if I ever had money).
We then went on the Singapore Flyer – the largest observation wheel in the world. It was good particularly as it was just the two of us in the capsule so when I was freaking no one had to listen to it! The views were great. The amount of the boats in the bay is unreal!
After the Flyer we hopped on the MRT (subway) to Orchard Rd. Basically this is a 2km strip (with off roads) full of shopping. Not just like Grafton St or Henry St but with
Dundrum Town Centres one after the other for 2kms. The shops are all high end and there is more than one along the street, names like Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, Rolex, and Prada. There are also really large Topshops, H&M etc. We opted to go to the affordable shopping centre for young ones (as the guide book said) called the Far East Plaza. It was in our budget range (we have a few things to pick up that are necessities, honest) but unfortunately most of the shops were closed as the Chinese New Year celebrations are continuing.
We headed back to the hostel for a wee nap after that (the humidity and jet lag are not good). We then went out to Chinatown (our hostel is in the area) for a nose that night. The Chinese New Year decorations are up in full flow and are fab! We took a walk down Smith St, known as the Chinatown Food St. The street is busy with what is known as Hawker stands – little metal trailers lined up in rows serving food. We opted for a restaurant thought as it was too warm, spent a lot more than a
hawker stand but it was yummy. We had a main course called Chairman Mao – pork belly (I think) in a spicy sauce with egg fried rice and spring rolls. Definitely filling as we shared this and would have double at home! Lovely evening J
Day 3 Up early again but I suppose with all the sleeping we are doing how we couldn’t be! We first took a walk down Pagoda St in Chinatown (as it was finishing up last night after dinner). It is a street full of stalls etc. They didn’t have what we were looking for but it was a nice stroll. Also had my first experience of shock at seeing me when a young girl obviously on a school tour bounded towards me with eyes wide wondering what is this creature (I’m sure) welcoming me to Singapore. To be honest the rest of the day continued with similar incidents!!!
We decided to go to Little India today. This is as it says on the tin, a settlement of people who originally come from India or descend from India. Now this is very different to
the rest of Singapore. It is edgier, dirtier, less polished but that is what gives it character and makes it interesting. I definitely got excited being there J As our trip to the budget shopping centre on Orchard Rd was unsuccessful we headed for a place called the Mustafa Centre. I swear you will not believe this place 150,000 Sq. Ft of shopping :O It has EVERYTHING and goes on forever. It is open 24hours and the amount of staff in there must be colossal. We got all we needed and really have to say it was a fab place. I couldn’t take photos because they cable tied the backpack going in so we didn’t rob anything!
After this we walked along the main road in Little India known as Serangoon Rd. It was bustling with shops/stalls/temples. We stopped and had a bite to eat at a little vegetarian place. It was delicious – don’t know what half of it was!
After this we took a walk down the main backpacker street, Dunlop St and then into the Little India Arcade (which really wasn’t much) onto the Tekka Centre. It was great in here,
again lots and lots of hawker stands serving food but the main reason we went there was for what’s known as a wet market. It’s basically known as this because the floor is hosed down regularly during the day. The reason for this? Butchers, fishmongers, vegetable stalls all serve from one big area. The locals come in and touch the produce as it is cut up etc. It was an experience anyway, fish heads, live crabs, chickens hanging here there and everywhere. The smell was interesting! John also decided to let me know he spotted his first cockroach of the holiday, nice!
In the evening we headed to part of the Chinese New Year festivities (they continue for 15 days after the CNY which was Monday 22
nd). It is basically a floating stage with performers, lights, hawker stands, and stalls next to Marina Bay. It was a lovely evening with a good buzz about it. We were back early as we have to be up at 6am to catch the train to Kuala Lumpur!
Ciara x
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