Blogs from Chinatown, Singapore, Asia - page 12

We left malaysia and crossed the border at the very posh crossing. We checked into our lovely Chinatown based hotel and the headed off for a walk towards the river. It was very similar to the London docklands area, but cleaner. We sat on the river side and I had my first Starbucks. At 7pm we met the rest of the group for a lovely last dinner and a Durian tasting session, which I still couldn’t bring myself to try. The smell was just too bad. ... read more

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 ... read more

The gathering was at the homely Hachi Tei Restaurant located at Tanjong Pagar. Tucked away along the quiet street of Telok Ayer, the family restaurant boasts a relatively comprehensive menu @ modest prices. From bento sets to soba to sashimi, there was a bit of everything for everybody. Eight of us gathered (AL & Ms C, EK & XMM, Mr K, Mr KFC and JC) for my 29 years 363 days and XMM 2x years 361 days celebration. As I welcomed (or should I say dread) the Big Three reality to hit me hard tomorrow, there was a general sense of loss as I said goodbye to my twenties. Enter a threshold of a new era and a new phase of “Uncle Hood” which I needed sometime to come to terms to. It was always fun ... read more

Saavuimme eilen tänne järjestäytyneeseen, utopistiseen Singaporeen. Näin ainakin kaikissa matkaoppaissa väitetään, että Singapore olisi siis yksi suuri utopia. Omasta mielestäni kaupunki on päällisin puolin lähinnä harvinaisen siisti, mutta muuten kuten mikä tahansa Kaakkois-Aasian suurkaupungeista, hieman länsimaisempi tosin. Päivähän täällä ollaan tosin vasta oltu, joten voin olla todella väärässäkin. Siistiä täällä jokatapauksessa on. Veikkaan, että kaupunki on palkannut pelkästään tuhansia työntekijöita trimmaamaan nurmikoita, koska yhdenkään sellaisen en ole vielä nähnyt rehottavan vapaasti. Kuri ja järjestys näkyy kaupungissa satunnaisesti tienposkilta ja asemilta löytyvistä kieltokylteistä, jotka saavat ainakin tällaisen pienen länkkärituristin puntit tutisemaan. Metrovaunuissa syömisestä/juomisesta ropsahtaa 500 singaporen dollarin (eli 250e) sakot, syttyvien aineiden hallussapi... read more

Well here we go again exploring the world in mad dash way trying to catch up on trips I always wish I had done. I'm starting here in Singapore, off to Malaysia before tearing round Thailand. I'd love to say I have learnt lessons from last time of not over planning, of building in breaks where I will need them but that would be far too easy so I have far too much booked already and I'm going to far too many places, ah well it keeps you young! Actually this holiday has come far too quickly, I was still working sat in the terminal in Heathrow on various work documents as I have been flat out for the last 2 weeks. My darling daughter also presented me with her cold as a leaving present so ... read more