It's so hot in Singapore

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The moment you step outdoors in Singapore, you are blasted with an incredible, humid heat. Right now, it is 90F ("feels like" 97F), and it is not pleasant at all. It's no wonder that Singaporeans take so kindly to shopping malls, with their air conditioned goodness. Also, I am getting bitten by a gajillion mosquitoes. I don't know how much more I can last at this computer before I dive back into my air-conditioned room.

I was up early (see earlier entry), so I snagged some free breakfast from the hostel and chatted with the surfer Jonah, who had spent a year working in the Philippines. After discussing our trip plans, I headed out to walk around the city.

My hostel is right next to Orchard Road, which seems to be the Herald Square of New York x 10. Lots of designer stores alongside not-so-designer stores, with the occasional raunchy sex store in between. There was nothing really interesting to see here, especially since everything was closed at 9 in the morning. One thing to note is that all of the subway exits passed through various malls.

The subway itself is very nice. Once again, extremely clean, and on time. The cars run smoothly, are air-conditioned, and protective barriers ensure that they are even safer than the cars in Japan. After seeing the subways in Tokyo and Singapore, I'm convinced that NYC and Philly are doing it wrong (DC is only slighter better in comparison).

I took a tour at the Asian Civilizations Museum and had a great time. It was $1.70 to enter, with a free guided tour. A good air-conditioned way to pass the morning, and it's located in an interesting area (Raffles Place) that seems to be the mid-town of Singapore, with lots of banks and businessmen.

Afterwards, I headed over to Chinatown to get some Hawker Stand lunch. I basically walked around picking up finger food, and bypassing all the touristy goods, went food shopping. I've included all the pictures below, and although nothing was particularly amazing, it was on a whole, cheap and extremely satisfying. As I type, I plan on going to another area where there promises to be more food shopping. I tell myself that it's not a persistent pattern in my travels, but rather that I'm saving all the good stuff until Kathy gets here!

-Michael

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Photos

Me with Cat Statues
These creepy things are everywhere

No Durians!
These things smell so strongly, they're singled out in this subway poster

Cobblers
There are tons of cobblers in the streets of Chinatown... I didn't know that many people fixed their shoes!

Red Bull
Didn't taste like the same thing... they sell the usual kind here as well

Durian Stand
These are the infamously smelly fruits, and you can find them everywhere in Singapore's chinatown

Ice Cream Sandwich
In Singapore, they really mean sandwich (70 cents)

Durian Pancake
Kind of like a Crepe. The pancake part tasted fine, but I gagged the moment I reached the Durian filling (83 cents)

Chicken/Cheese Hot Dog
After the Durian Pancake, this tasted so good (90 cents)

Afternoon Beer
I asked for a Heineken, and I was given this monstrosity ($5.50)

Seafood Balls
With various kinds of filling, these things were the best food-stand food I had today ($1.73 for 4)

Pastry
Some soft chinese pastries ($1.40 for 12)

Subway Doors
The track area is guarded from floor to ceiling by an automated gate

The inside of the Subway (MRT)
The cars are all linked together, allowing you to get an awesome tunnel-like view

Comments

[Steven Pong]

Mike, interesting posts lah! Can post itinerary so we can anticipate next leg of trip mah? Write next post in Singlish :)