Singapore slung

Didn’t go to lake Chini after all, it was all far to complicated and meant it would take three days to spend one day sightseeing.



So....


Arrived in Singapore early evening after a day on the road and as tired as we were we just had to go out and hit the town, a stroll down the shopping area that is orchard road is a nightmare of electronics and clothes far too small to fit our western frames. We turn a corner and the whole scene and vibe changes, suddenly, we’re in little India with all the hustle and bustle of, well India.

We partake of a most excellent curry at the award winning Delhi restaurant on Racecourse road and walk back to our hotel (the Fragrance Imperial) on Penhas road near the Lavender road mrt.


Next morning all revived and we head towards the new reclaimed land on the waterfront where there is a huge attraction called the Singapore flyer which we just have to have a go on. With some amazing views.

Following our “flight” we take to the tourist open topped bus as it is a good way of seeing the city. This building with what looks like a boat on top of three towers is the new Marina bay casino complex.

Stopping off at the famous “Raffles Hotel” which has grown in size somewhat over the years, Beach road on which it stands (which was once on the sea front) is now in the centre of the city.

Spot of tiffin anybody

Or a Singapore sling in the long bar and throw peanut shells on the floor.

there's always afternoon tea on the lawn

Or as a sign of the times you could always pop across the road and have a MacDonalds.

We did actally have lunch at Raffles, (well we sat on the windowsill outside and had a sandwich - I guess that counts).




A walk round Chinatown (as if the whole of Singapore isn’t Chinese enough) and we find the Budhas tooth temple

Strolling round the narrow streets we notice tightly packed stalls selling all sorts of tat useful stuff

 so many in fact that they’re running out of space on the streets and have started putting shops in the toilets as well.

One man asks if I want to buy some perfume – I’m sure I showered this morning, another asks if I want to have a suit made – I know we’re backpacking but I thought my clothes didn’t look too bad, the final straw is when an elderly gentleman points at the childrens clothes he is selling and says “for your grandchildren sir” !!!


It’s time for a beer and food so we head to the Clarkes Quay waterfront area.

Walking home we pass a stand selling strawberry and cream sandwiches - on white bread of course, according to the girl behind the counter they are very popular.


On the whole Singapore is very expensive, as are most capital cities, but this one is on a par with London prices, the guide books also give a completely different view than reality, with all the laws like no littering and no smoking in public you would expect the city to be clean but no, people smoke in public and the city is littered with cigarette ends and empty food wrappers etc, a bit of a disappointment really I think we were expecting something completely different. But it's still impressive in all its modern Asian-ness.

 Monday 25/4/11