Blogs from Chinatown, Singapore, Asia - page 14

The arrival in Singapore was spectacular (in a low key sort of a way). Never having arrived here by sea both PP and CS were amazed at the extent and complexity of this port area. For over three hours after sun set we observed (from the observation deck, of course) the coastline brighten with millions of lights on all sides and when we suddenly stopped steaming and seemed to stop dead in the water we confirmed that the pilot was coming aboard, shimming up his rope ladder in accordance with protocol and shortly thereafter we were powering again. We got closer to land and proceeded smoothly through a vast labyrinth of port bays and facilities with many other vessels moving to and fro around us. Where were we actually headed - who was to know, but ... read more

After a month in Indonesia, Singapore was a paradise of organization and cleaningness... we spent 2 days there moving from shopping centre to shopping centre and not buying anything... Chinatown was great and the food tasty and cheap... Little India was spicy in many ways, it is the only place of the country (city?) where the rule of "no loitering" doesn't apply... Organization comes at a price and, in Singapore, everything is forbidden: no smoking, no loitering, no patronizing, no feeding the pigeons, not leaving the toilet without flushing, no cycling in bridges... or you'll get a fine... until recently it was even forbidden to chew gum on the street... The train ride to Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia was interesting as we were ridding backwards in a car full of screaming children... that's if you ask ... read more

Komme gerade von einem koestlichen Dinner in Chinatown. Seafood Soup mit Reisnudeln und einem Bambuspudding als Desert... :) das macht gluecklich Fuehle mich schon richtig in der Stadt angekomen, auch an die Verkerhrsumstaende (Metrosystem, Linksverkehr, Busfrequenz,...) angepasst lebt es sich schon wesentlich leichter hier. Little India ist so farbenfroh wie ich mir Indien vorstelle. Die Curries so scharf wie Thai Food und das Chinatown Viertel voellig kontraer. Die Stadt ist ein buter Mix aus Skyscrapern, Kolonialbauten, Hindi und Buddha Tempeln... und Shoppingmalls an den perversesten Orten (neben Kirchen, Tankstellen,...) Echt lustig hier. Habe mit zwei lieben Maedels heute den ganzen Tag die Stadt erkundet und meinen ersten Raffles Singapur Sling im Raffles Hotel getrunken. Sehr exklusiv :)! Morgen geht"s nochmal auf die Shoppingmeile fuer die Weihnachtsbesorgungen und dann ab... read more

When we arrived at Changi airport on Thursday evening we were very excited, after the eight hour flight from Cairns we were tired but we'd been looking forward to this part of our trip for so long we were on a natural high. As we went through the airport to get our passports stamped we saw two Buddhist monks in their bright orange robes, we couldn't help but stare and be glad that finally, once again, there was something to stare at. We then got the super sleek underground train straight to Chinatown, where we planned to stay. We arrived at our station and as the escalator brought us out into the open we were welcomed by the sight of a hundred Chinese lanterns and beautifully carved buildings. The streets were full of bustling market stalls ... read more

Well everyone, its been a while since the boys posted a blog and they figured they better before leaving Asia, so here it goes. After a few days in Koh Tao spent on the beach and mini-golfing, the boys decided that since they weren't diving it was time to get moving to the next island in line, Koh Phangan, home of the infamous full moon parties. Unfortunately they boys missed the full moon by a couple weeks, but luckily there was a blackmoon party (don't ask them what the significance of a black moon is, it was just an excuse to drink buckets). They even met some Swedish guys to go to the party in the back of a truck with. The next few days were spent recovering, but they did manage to meet a group ... read more