After a really long transit to Singapore, I arrived at my hostel and it had to be one of the cutest ever! It was right in the Arab quarter and the hostel must be used to all the late night arrivals as they made it so easy for my 2am arrival by leaving a door code, key, directions to my room and then a welcome sign telling me where to sleep and how comfy the bed was waiting for me. Nice little touch. This place was in the perfect part of town to see a lot and I think that was part of the reason I extended my original two day trip to 5.
I wouldn`t say that Singapore had that many sights that I had to see, it was nice to just be there, walk around and enjoy some of the modern treats. Singapore is really described as where East meets West and it`s true.
Singapore had a large Asian influence, yet it really was a melting pot of everything including Indian. There was high fashion, fancy malls and then local street stalls…so really everything to appease you.
My first day I met Kim, 27 year old from New Jersey, who had just started a 2.5 month trip on her own in SE Asia. She was only 1 week in. I guess we bonded over her frustration at the computers. She was trying to find flights and I heard her getting frustrated and offered to help, and from then on, we toured the city and had a blast.
In Search or Food in Chinatown:
That first night, she had a recommendation from Bon Appetite for dinner and I was down to search it out in Chinatown. I was laughing as the recommendation was a specific food stall. Not what I would expect from Bon Appetite, but it worked out. It was a journey just getting down there and finding the metro, finding Chinatown and then this little street it was on, but with two heads in pursuit, it was much easier and fun to find it.
After dinner, we were in pursuit of one of the bars that the bible recommended (Lonely Planet – which is like the bible). Kim was great and brought it out so we could find this place and the area was full of expats and had a fun vibe. Too bad the drinks were too expensive to stay so after 1, we headed back.
Botanical Gardens & Orchid Garden:
The next day we were off to see the Botanical Gardens as they were supposed to be great and had a famous orchid garden. I love all orchids so that was all I needed to go. I took so many pictures of the Orchids as they were stunning and like no others I have ever seen. Plus there were famous hybrid orchids that the Singapore government created and later name for famous people that came to visit. So we saw Nelson Mandela`s, Laura Bush, Princess Diana (in memorial), many other foreign leaders and the silly one for Ricky Martin. I will say, these Orchids were quite a highlight to Singapore. Just wish I could have brought some home.
Sam`s Curry House:
Kim was up for adventure and trying to find places that were recommended. So after the gardens, we thought we would find Sam Curry House for lunch as it was listed as well worth the effort of finding it and it was well out of town. We were close at the gardens and eventually found it after stopping for directions and looking at maps. It was hard to find,but quite the experience. We read we could get a great Indian meal for about $3-5 and that was perfect. But when we walked in, the guy was trying to up sell us on all these dishes. It was very confusing as there were no menus, we kept saying we just wanted the curry that is supposed be in buckets at the tables. After we both asked and asked, we finally gave in that we had to get these extra dishes too, so spicy crab and some chicken it was. At the table, they brought us each a fresh banana leaf as a place mat/plate. Then came the buckets. First rice was piled high on my leaf. then he poured one curry, then lentils, then more sauce. it was such a mess of food, but tasty and a fun meal. Plus, you were to eat it all with your hands, so the spicy crab was so messy we just were gooey and couldn`t wait to clean up.
Shopping:
For some dumb reason….we thought it would be fun to go shopping in Singapore for new clothes…and we were dumber to think we should go to the mall where the locals shop for local designers. Reason this was dumb is Kim and I are both tall and all the locals are quite short and very petite. So to say that nothing fit was an understatement. We both tried and tried. Kim was a little more successful, but everything was so short on her, she couldn`t buy it.
A day later, I actually went out to look for a new bra. I should have known this also was silly. When I got to the store, the sizes were different…like 75,80,85 (A,B,C,D). I had no idea and finally someone helped me. After one look at me, she told me what size I would be, but said her brand isn`t going to fit me and didn`t think they had anything in the department store to fit. I was laughing as my chest isn`t that large, but in Singapore…I guess it was. After trying a few one in the largest size, I was unsuccessful and left. Oh well, I tried. Hopefully I`ll have luck when I get to Australia next month.
Singapore Sling:
For Kim`s last night in Singapore, we decided to go out for drinks and hit the famous Raffles Bar where they invented the Singapore Sling. I guess my motto is, when you are in Rome…or when you are in Singapore, get the Sling. When Kim asked the waiter what was in it, he rattled off a lot of liquor names and juices and it really didn`t sounds that good to either of us, but I figured I had to try it. Kim decided not to as she doesn`t like cherry brandy. I tried to encourage her to try it as all these tourists like it and it can`t be that bad. Finally she went with another choice and tried mine.
Unfortunately for her, the drink she ordered was awful! She said a few times, “You were right, I should have listened to you and trusted the establishment”. It was kinda funny as she said it a few times and then I said we would have to stay for another one since she has to order her own. At 22 SGD each, they weren`t cheap ($15US), but we suffered through more.
We also made it to the Swissotel for cocktails. I was told the bar on the 71st floor had a great view and to go there before 9pm for happy hour. It was quite the happening place and the place to be seen. I just wished I had something a little fancier to wear, but we got by fine. There was an amazing view of all of Singapore from above that was worth the price of the cocktails.
Becoming a Local:
My friend Amanda emailed me and said her friend Matt was moving to Singapore and would be arriving when I was there. So we decided to meet up for drinks and I felt like a local giving Matt directions on where to meet and what streets and metro stop t get off at.
Matt was the trooper as he flew from San Francisco to Singapore all day and still rallied to meet for drinks at 6pm and I think we made it until 11pm by the time we both had enough. Felt good to meet a friend of a friend and be able to welcome him to his new home and show him the two bars that Kim and I had a great time at the night before. It was funny as I was at both bars twice within 24 hours.
1,000 Fishes Eating My Feet:
The final excursion I had was at a local market. I was in search for a new day bag and say signs for pedicure and fish spa. The pedicure lured me in, but the fish spa kept me there. At first, I had no idea what a fish spa was, and then I saw the 1,000 fish and asked.
Basically, Garra Rufa fish are known as doctor fish, nibble fish and lickers fish. They are non-migratory freshwater fish and are found in rivers in Iraq, Turkey and Israel. They basically eat the skin and clean you up and many places use them to eat dead skin on feet. Sounded good to try and my feet have taken a beating on this trip. So after negotiating the student price, washing my feet and then slowly submerging them into this pool of fish, it was interesting. At first, all the fish swarmed to my feet and started to nibble. It didn`t hurt, but it was strange sensation. At the end, my feet did feel softer and the fish did a good job. Do try it if you come across it anywhere.
So that`s about it for Singapore. I was able to relax, make plans for my time with Nancy in Australia and book a lot of flights. I was worried my credit card company would decline me as i was purchasing tickets to Hong Kong, then Melbourne, a few more northern Australia. I decided to wait on purchasing my ticket to Argentina as I thought all those tickets in different continents may worry my credit card company.
Off to Hong Kong next…
Logistics:
Sleepy Sam`s Bed & Breakfast – great guest house in perfect part of town. Would stay there again. – www.sleepysams.com
Raffles Hotel for Singapore Slings (expensive hotel too) – www.raffles.com
Swissotel – New Asia bar on 71st floor –