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Published: January 28th 2006
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Today we planned to buy a City Buzz Card. Its only $5 and we can hop on and off the bus as we like. There are 3 differnt routes we can take......... thought this might be a good way to get around and also see some of the sights we might not have yet discovered. The nearest stop was in Little India. Well this place is, how can I describe it?....... a mixture of Rusholme and the Northern Quarter in Manchester..... its crazy as its like a little shambles village thrown inbetween huge sky scrapers! Mad! But very cultural. We liked it- had so much colour kicking about! All the shops were pretty much selling the same type of things............. Chinese New Year Decs, bangles and sari's....... also fruit stalls selling neck garlands hand made with flowers- beautiful!
When wandering back to be bus stop we came accross this little sight...............(see picture) No he's not dead just simply chilin' out!!!!
Also keep meaning to tell you this- not very exciting but must get it off my chest!!!............ when pressing the button to cross the road, a beeping countdown starts and gets faster and faster nearer
to the time you are allowed to cross- it sounds like space invaders and I crack up every time I hear it- then whilst crossing there is a count down digital clock ticking down seconds to when your crossing allowance time runs out!!!!!!!- quality!
We'd seen these armadillo type buildings in the background before but when we noticed them on our bus route we decided to jump off and investigate............. on the way propably the most famous scene used to promote Singapore- the amazing skyline on the edge of the river- perfect photo opportunity!
Walking along the river we pass the Esplanade- the armadillo looking things- which is Singapore's Theatre of Arts. We continue to walk along the river further into the city, passing through what seemed to be the business part of town and onto the other side, deciding to get a drink at....... for all you boys back home and Chloe (who I think would attract alot in those little orange shorts!!!! I know you got the T Shirt already Worm!!)................HOOTERS! We sat outside and watched the river boats pass and got chatting to an older English couple, which was nice, they offered to
buy us our 2nd drink, as their daughter had been travelling and they knew every penny counted.......... we refused (stupidly!) as we wanted to get down to China Town for their Luner New Year celebrations........................................
Gosh it was hot today- sweating top lip for Bex and burn't neck for Vix-very attractive all round really!
We knew we were near China Town as we could see the brightly lit decorations miles down the road.....Love the way the Chinese pull out the stops! Bit of a storm brewing so made it under some shelter....... bloody ell those raindrops were big! But refreshing! Got some great pics from our shelter- doesn't look real!
Headed into the hussle and bustle of the celebrations down the side streets which were full of little stalls- selling all sorts of decorations, gifts, mad giant lemons and limes (Chloe- think of water... lemons and limes and water!) and lots of different little delicassies.....some of which we thought we must try!!God knows what the first ones were, dessert type things, taken a photo of the menu as couldn't understand what the woman was telling us, but the stuff we tried at the second stall
was absolutely amazing!!!! Coconut cakes served on a little bamboo leaf, they were boiling hot , once we managed to bite into them they were stuffed with a sweet type of jam or something, gorgeous- wish we had bought more!!!
Carried on tralling through the crowds for a bit, then decided to grab something to eat, look for where all the locals were eating as thought this might be a sign of good food......................... found our place and chose our food from a menu of pictures, non looked very enticing! Mad looking local guy sat on the table behind us wearing mad jewellery..... Vix was well brave and asked him for a photo (ace picture!- Bear know you'll love this one)....... Once the food arrived we tucked in- well tried as we were only given chopsticks! (locals laughing constantly at us- think we were mean't to portion out into our little bowls but we just tucked right in there!!!but we felt like a show!!!)
Headed towards a temple we'd seen, the oldest Hindu Temple in Singapore- Wow the building was beautiful............... Shoes off and in we went. Prayer was taking place, which was great
to see, food (again!) was being offered.........to us too!!!!!!!! Served on a sheet of baking paper, yellow rice, chick peas and sweet rice, to be eaten with your fingers. We were told that the sweet was to be eaten first, Indians always eat the sweet first- really good- wish we'd not bothered with the Chinese! The temple was like a little community....... few small shops, people painting and preparing for celebrations. We thought it was so nice of them to welcome us into their temple and they really looked after us!!! When we were leaving they brought over to us a little gift, offering of fruits and Indian sweets, Vix liked- I didn't.
We headed home round 10.30pm as we had to do some washing and packing before we went to bed as flying out to Bangkok tomorrow- Yikes! We feel really settled here now, but its gotta be done!!!!!!
Becks and Vix
xxxx
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