How the hell am I going to be able to describe 8 nights of Singapore in one blog? Considering how much I write, what I did there, how delayed this entry really is (I‘m writing this on 13/9), and it was my last days in Asia. I’ll try my best I suppose…
Singapore is… clean, fashionable, artsy, expensive, safe, beautiful, fun, friendly, delicious food, and diverse.
Safe
Train ride from Malaysia to Singapore was good for the most part. I say for the most part because my right ear was hurting as if someone shoved a pen into my ear several times throughout the day. This was the result of scuba diving in Malaysia and not properly equalizing my ears (I was forcing it). Not only was my body a complete wreck from diving several days in a row but now my head is absolutely killing me from the pain of my ear. 2 days into Singapore and I just couldn’t take the pain anymore as it seemed like it was getting worse and I was getting no sleep as a result. Bitching about it wasn’t going to help unfortunately so I got a taxi over to the hospital. The taxi driver was friendly and very concerned about me. First question he asked was if I had a fever which I didn’t. Singapore has this impression that any signs of a fever means swine flu or something even worse so they go into a panic attack about any sickness. The hospital was better then any hospital I’ve ever been to in the United States. Everyone at the hospital was required to wear a mask including me to prevent spreading anything. Felt a bit weird wearing it but it does make sense. Doctors concluded I had an Ear Infection which is common for new divers. I kept making it worse whenever I took a shower and water went in. I was provided medication and in one week I was all OK again. The pain was really depressing me so I’m glad that’s over with.
I’ve been a few months now in countries where there are no rules on the road and now here I am in Singapore and people actually wait to cross the street. There’s a huge fine for jaywalking so nearly everyone waits for the little man to turn green. The locals are scared to death about jaywalking and you’ll see them sprinting across the street to avoid anyone seeing them actually do it. Oh and yes it is true that gum is in fact illegal in Singapore. To make things even further “off”, there are commercials in the subway system of a reenactment of a terrorist attack. A guy leaves a suspicious bag on the subway, leaves the train, and presses a button in which blows up the entire subway leaving everyone dead. Pretty graphic for a subway wouldn’t you say?
Friendly
Upon arrival, I got a taxi from the train station to the hostel LP recommended. The taxi was equipped with a GPS where he put the address of the hostel and he had a credit card machine. How convenient! Ok I know most taxi’s already have this in NYC but for the last 3 ½ months I’ve been use to taxi drivers hardly speaking English and especially in Malaysia, most taxi drivers were very rude. Taxi driver and I just started chatting away and he gave me a quick run down on the city. For the most part, all I’ve met were really friendly people in Singapore.
Fashionable and Expensive
Everyone is dressed up but where are they going? Probably just to 711. Shopping is one thing you can easily go overboard in Singapore. There are just too many options. For some reason I thought it would be a great idea to do some shopping but in reality I’m a complete idiot for not doing it sooner while I was in Bangkok when it cheaper. Since I was going to Australia, I had to get a pair of shoes. My previous shoes were lost/stolen(?). I’ve also had to throw away some shirts that were completely wrecked. Next purchase was new glasses. My older set was a complete wreck and scratched up due to partying at the Full Moon Party in Thailand. Coming out of that party, you are due to have something break, stolen, or injured so new glasses isn’t so bad. Next. I don’t have anything all that fashionable for going out. I had plans to go clubbing and some bars however they have the same restrictions as at home with attire. New pair of jeans and shirt did the trick. So now I’m walking with a whole new set of clothing and even a haircut.
The exchange rate isn’t that great. I’ve seriously spent way too much here between shopping and going out. I could have done Singapore for less but then it’s just not as fun. Alcohol has a crazy expensive price tag on it. I could defiantly get alcohol cheaper in the states.
Fun
Nightlife is alive and well in Singapore. Clare Quay area is very vibrate area. A walking street filled with differently styled bars. They had a bar called Clinic in which gives the look of a hospital but in fact it’s a bar. It has wheel chairs you sit on and they give you an IV filled with a red looking alcohol to give the impression of blood which you drink. Wrong in a sense but pretty funny if you ask me. Open a place like that in the states and it’ll never have a chance to even open.
Zouk Nightclub. World famous club for it’s sound, performances, DJ’s, and design. I can see why. I went on a Saturday night to hear Loco Dice. Zouk consists of three nightclubs all having separate entrances in the front. We bought a ticket that gave us entrance to all the clubs plus 2 free drink tickets. We were allowed to come in and out as we please to all the clubs all night. The first club called Velvet Underground was very posh playing mostly house/funk house/soulful house, chilled out type of music. It’s a good place to get a few drinks in and talk. Next club was Phuture and they played all commercial and hiphip. Then came Zouk and I was simply amazed. Even the staff was friendly which is rare in NYC clubs. Loco Dice played an awesome set. Crowd was loving it. By law all venues must provide water for free which means the venue understands the safetyness of the people rather then just tossing them outside the second they are sick. There were even signs displayed to let a staff member know if you feel unwell to take care of you. Now that’s service.
Singapore Night Zoo! Went with a quite a good group of friends from the hostel. I saw everything from lions, pumas, hyenas, leopards, fruit bats literately in front of my face, and tons of other animals I’ve never heard of or can’t remember the name of. Good times.
Friends
The hostel I stayed at was called Classic Inn. I’m mentioning this in my blog because it was easily one of the best hostels I’ve stayed at. The staff was helpful in tons of ways. Plus they played awesome awesome house music. That alone gives them a few points in my book.
Katharina: Met her the first few days I was in Singapore. From Germany. Tons of fun to talk to and hang out with. Learned a good amount of German because of her. Gave me the run down of Australia which hyped me up quite a bit. She just got back from traveling around Oz for a few months and is nearly at the end of her trip about to go home. She got me even more excited for Europe on my next journey.
Dan: From the U. S of A! Guy from LA. Chilled out and did a lot of random Singapore activities.
Jemma & Clare: After a failed attempt from meeting in Thailand, we finally met up again! Miss these girls. Best part of my trip were with these girls and Chris when we were all in China. I’d love to relive those days again. Good memories.
Met tons of other travelers but my memory is terrible today which is why I should have wrote this earlier.
Mmm Food
Chinese and Indian food heaven! Luckily the hostel was conveniently located in Little India, the home of cheap amazing food. For the first time (and perhaps only at least till I get to India) I ate full out with my hands only with true Indian food. Not as easy as it sounds. Try eating rice, curry, and other random sauce stuff only eating with your right hand. It’s really a mission and pretty messy. Indian food was my diet for most of my days in Singapore.
Eating Chinese food brought good memories of how good I had it in China. Chinatown was fantastic. The best Chinatown area I’ve seen so far. With over 70% of the people in Singapore being Chinese, it’s no wonder there’s a good Chinese culture here.
Change of plan
I was suppose to go to India however I had to delay my flight due to my ear just being totally screwed and hurting way too much. After a lot of thought, I can’t do India in only 1 month. I have to do it properly for a few months to experience it fully. Instead I decided to go to Australia and spend more time there. Flight was changed from India to Perth, Australia and I stayed in Singapore longer then expected to give myself time to heal. Tom (whom I met in Thailand) was nice enough to let me stay in his place in Perth.
I’ve fallen in love with Singapore honestly. It’s a wonderful peaceful city. I highly recommend it.
