Running around Singapore

In a taxi to our Little India hotel, I saw beauty all around us. What a pretty place, I thought.

Hotel matters done, we had a smooth train ride from Lavender to Tiong Bahru. Then, we rode a double-decker bus, number 85, sitting upstairs. The 20 minute ride--great views--to the World Trade Centre cost 60 cents.

The $15 cable car ride was very nice. Glass all around us gave a fine view. We saw skyscrapers to the left, shipyards to the right, Sentosa ahead, and a jungle-like landscape below and behind us.

Later, we ate the hotel's food. I had fish and chips, with light and crispy batter, crunchy fries, and a small salad. San Miguel washed it all down and ended day one.

The next morning, we ate in the open food stalls nearby. A bit spicy, we washed it down with fresh tomato juice. Spicy aromas varied as we passed among the stalls.

Later, at the large Mustafa Centre shopping store in Singapore, I paid $35 for a pocket translator that could convert words to and from Russian, English, German, and Polish. I also bought edibles. I wanted more, but I knew certain items could not be brought back, etc.

Shopping ended at noon. Tom had gone elsewhere. I returned to my room, deposited all I bought, then visited Malaysia.

On return, hunger ruled. So, I went to the New Park Centra Hotel and ate as much as I could of their $20 international buffet. I sampled a wide variety of local foods. All were delicious, whether I knew what I had or not. I drank some of the best tasting beer too.

After eating, I did a short, slow walk back to the hotel. At age 60, I was not used to eating so much.

On the way, I spent 2 hours at a nearby temple called Sri Mariamman. Looking at the carved objects, I felt as though I needed more time to view all of them.

The rest of my walk, I wished I could stay longer, but it was impossible. I had visited a country that had just about everything, yet kept it all so very perfect. My kind of place.

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Published on 9/4/01