Singapore: Exploring

Woke up and it is HOT!  Time to get our bodies acclimated to the heat and humidity.  Ate a FREE breakfast at the hostel (don’t get the grand illusion of a luxury buffet)…cereal, toast, and coffee.  But it was right up my alley, Free. 

Started our sweaty day journey by walking through our home base of Chinatown.  We stopped at a Hindu temple and had a chance to see a service in progress—we had to take off our shoes out on the street and tourists were limited to what/where they could go.  Headed downtown towards the Marina Bay and got a light greasy snack of fried peanut butter ball and fried sweet potato ball at an old “hawker center” (food market).  If that doesn’t start your system, nothing will.  Handi Wipes were next on the agenda, to try to keep some semblance of cleanliness for both hands and face.

Can you spot Shelley below?? (Hindu temple)

That's what happens when a big American sits on an Asian bench?!

Off to Marina bay to see Merlion Park to see the “built to bring in tourists” lion fish spitting water.  No meaning to the Singapore people except to have something for tourists to photograph.  We saw the Esplanade Theatre on the Bay that resembles a Durian fruit which supposedly tastes good but smells bad.  Shelley tried some ice cream later on with this flavor and it tasted as bad as it smelled.  Don’t believe what people tell you?!

Saw a floating soccer field, walked over a double helix designed bridge (cool), checked out the ArtScience Museum (clear copy of the Sydney Opera House—is there anything the Asians aren’t able to copy?), and the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (three huge buildings with what Shelley calls a boat sitting on top).  You can go to the top for the lovely price of $20 a person, skip that one.  Not paying $40 total to ride up an elevator.

Floating soccer field

Shelley grabbing the ArtScience Museum

Merlion trying to get us wet...if the water was clean, we'd be all for it

Marina Bay Sands Hotel--$20 per person to go up...yeah right!

Esplanade Theatre:  Shaped like a Dorian fruit that smells terrible and tastes worse

Shelley liking the indoor plastic floored ice skating rink asking "Can I go?"

Another beauty nap to be taken by the lily pads outside the ArtScience building

A more panoramic view of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, ArtScience Building, and the Helix bridge (left side)

I'm hot, sweaty, tired and need a drink...

Much better, you see the smile on her face

Cool architecture along the on the river.  Upscale restaurants and pubs are in this area

Look carefully at all the air con units. Can you imagine the electric bill??

Whole fried ducks, yes we are eating things like this everyday!!

Stopped at the Ritz to check out the art and ask why our reservations weren’t taken for the presidential suite.  Saw the oldest bridge in the city, walked through the different quays (areas by the river) and checked out the different restaurants/bars/ shops/boats. 

Since we are trying new things every day, decided to get some cooling off drinks.  Can’t remember the names but mine was gut wrenching and Shelley’s was bearable (hers had lychees in it, like her favorite cocktail. 

Orchard Road was the next destination, and it is essentially a dozen gigantic malls that are 10+ stories up and 3+ stories down.  And many of the same stores in each (in the US, these malls would be empty due to redundancy of stores).  There was a Michigan Avenue feel in one of the areas, to cater to us rich people (we skipped by it).  We did go into one of the largest malls and made it to all levels.  There was actually a Garrett’s Popcorn (who knew??), a DIY cake decorating station, a baker that filled the donuts in front of you, and every overpriced store you could imagine.  Finally, Shelley dragged me away from the stores and we headed back to Marina for the night light show.

Shelley always making friends with the locals.  Put your suit on first! Marco Polo anyone?

Did I mention it was HOT!!  I think I was in a state of haze the whole day with all the sweating (a shower would definitely not be needed as I was wet all day).  They had a laser and water show which Shelley was underwhelmed by, but I told her this wasn’t Vegas.  We ate some more great tasting food from a hawker center (“Gluttons Bay” which was a perfect name), and walked off the food on our way to the hostel.  Good night Singapore, we look forward to another great day tomorrow.