Singapore, I’ve discovered, is a place with sooo much to see and do! And as always I never have enough time to see it all. ;-)
Today I make sure I get up really early to set off on another busy days sightseeing. The thing is I’m not all that sure where I want to go today. I know that sounds crazy but when you’re me it’s really not!
Everyone’s talking about Singapore Zoo which is world famous and also about the night safari there and I’m tempted, I really am, for actually quite a while but eventually I decide that (1) I’m on my own and that’s a little sad visiting a zoo (which is ultimately for families) and (2) oh yeah I remember, I don’t really like zoos!
So alternatively I head to the Botanic Gardens. I am absolutely loving the MRT here (the underground) it’s just like Londons underground just cleaner, cheaper, more efficient, more regular, safer, more reliable, nicer, nicer and nicer shall I go on?! I am loving it, have I said that yet?
Botanic Gardens
So the Botanic Gardens. Trip advisor reviews say it’s tranquil and relaxing and most enjoyable. I’m sure I’ve also read somewhere that there’s a great food hall there. On arrival it seems, I at least was wrong. Its free to go in which is more than can be said for Kew Gardens but straight away I’m not really feeling it although I think perhaps that might have been more to do with the current building works going on at the entrance.
Five minutes in though and it is really beautiful, a real haven in a bustling city. It seems all the expat mums think the same and it’s full of mums with kids as well as international school trips.
Just sunbathing!
Unfortunately they didn’t have the food court I thought I had read about, probably somewhere completely different! But there was a nice café I visited which served up a good if expensive sandwich.
There were a lot of photographers in the gardens and as I was making my way back out I saw a guy in situ bagging the shot (!) and then I heard a rustling and stood stock still as 3ft monitor lizard came out of the water with a fish in its mouth (so much for them being vegetarian!), I then spent the next 20 minutes watching as he attempted to break the fish into smaller more manageable sizes, it really was quite amazing, he had the fish in his mouth and then repeatedly wedged it against a tree or branch to try and break it up, this beats the zoo, this is real wildlife.
Monitor Lizard at lunchtime!
Back in the city I decided to visit the colonial areas and the waterfront and Chinatown.
Chinatown
I have my heart set on a Gin Sling at Raffles but that’s going to have to wait till I’m showered and dressed better, or as better as backpacking allows! In the meantime I take in the waterfront atmosphere and the Merlion park and look across the water to something I have never seen the like of before. Across the water were three towers and on top of that was an ark! No really, it really was an ark! I’ve never seen anything quite so mad, apparently it’s a bar and a restaurant and a casino. But an ark on top of a building?? Really? I love this country……if I never come home you can find me right here, although on whose money is a very good question! ;-)
The ark (!) by day and by night
Back at the hostel I shower and dress in my best gear and head out to Raffles. So my best gear is a mini skirt (thank god for mums legs!) and a pretty vest top from New Zealand and of course my tevas, I hope they let me in!
I rocked up at Raffles and it all seems very quiet and sedate there are two bell boys at the entrance but apart from that no one. I’ve been looking forward to this visit for days and in my best English accent I ask the guys if it’s possible to visit the bar!! It was one of those moments that as soon as you say something you wish you hadn’t but with all their grace they said ‘of course madam they would be delighted to serve you’. Yeah I bet…..at £15 a drink anyone would be delighted to serve me ;-). So with a mixture of smiling and cringing I head to the bar. Of course it’s full of couples and groups of friends, but I have my heart set on this one and I manage to make a £15 drink last a whole hour!
Raffles Hotel and the Gin Sling! ;-))
Raffles Christmas tree
Afterwards I head back to Little India and my hostel. So I have a question…..why is Little India called Little India and not India Town and why is China Town called China Town and not Little China? Apart from the fact of the way it sounds of course.
Monitor Lizard at lunch
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