For anyone thinking getting in early morning to a destination over 8hrs away is a good idea because that way you get a whole day to explore- don't do it! It's too much too soon! I was shattered yesterday and subsequently lost most of the morning and afternoon to sleep. Anyway, that's not to say that yesterday was a waste of time. I woke up, freshened up and headed out at about 5pm to explore. The apartment block i'm staying in has (like most do) a shopping mall underneath it so I headed there first. There wasn't much to see apartment from numerous shops selling miniature buddhas and trinkets. There's only so much of this you can be interested in after a while, so I decided to ditch the mass manufactured plastic tack, the wierd shopping mall music, and the air con for a bit more of the local! I actually ended up in what used to be singapore's "raucous sexual playground" (Lonely planet's words not mine)- Bugis street! since the 1980's this area has been reinvented and has been partly swallowed up by yet another, you guessed it, mall! The open air market section of the street opposite was much more enjoyable to have a wander through, However, my leisurely stroll was soon disturbed by the craziest downpour of rain i have ever experienced. It turns out I was caught in the once-a-day monsoon with no umbrella, flipflops on and nothing but a map over my head to protect me- Just my luck! After ducking and diving under different buildings and covers, I found solace in the most unlikely place.
Now bearing in mind I hardly ever visit the temple in London, to wind up in one across the other side of the world, to partake in a special pooja (prayers) for myself and to eat a meal there, this was quite an experience. I arrived at the Sri Krishnan temple where the lady at the entrance offered me my own special pooja to whichever deity I wanted in exchange for a small donation. I asked for one to a "protector" and she suggested ganesh. So I undetook a Ganesh pooja and was incredibly overwhelmed. I know it doesn't take much for me to cry but it was very emotional. My mum and my grandma are the "religious ones" so to speak in our family and this made me feel a lot closer to them. After that, i was fed with gorgeous South Indian food which I hoovered up with my hands. This was my first meal in nearly 24 hours (plane food is S*!?<t) and boy was it the best i've had so far!
After finding peace at the temple I walked about a bit longer and then decided to head back to the flat. My friend got back from work at around 8pm and was very keen for me to eat (he's indian, eating more than we can physically is part of our genetic makeup) some of the local food. So we headed out for "chilli crab", a popular but very messy Singaporean dish in a restuarant called Jumbo in Clarke Quay- an entertainment complex nearby. The meal was nice, nothing overly special in my opinion but perhaps that was because I was surrounded by Louis Vuitton bags, Blackberry's and expats- so it was no different to home! Don't get me wrong I havent become a total vagabond and ditched my materialistic, Western ways but i'm still in "foreign mode" and am quite enjoying not being around what im used to.
After that, we headed off to New Asia Bar in the Swisshotel near raffles link (where all the banks offices) in the CBD. This bar was located on the 70th floor of the hotel and holds claim to the most stunning views of the city. Take away the ridiculous number of drunk Australians and Brits and cheesy pop music and they can keep hold of that title. It was a stunning view so we sat by the window, tucked away from the dancefloor and had a lovely glass of red wine to end the day.
I got home last night and devised a big great plan for today but, in typical Chande fashion, I woke up late. I prefer to blame the jetlag but either way i was out the house by midday and continued with my original itinerary. First stop was changi prison museum which is located on the far east side of the island. I was keen to take local transport rather than a cab so I took the MRT- singapore's underground system- which was incredibly clean, cool and efficient. I got off at Tanah Mehrah and switched to the bus for Changi. Now, one thing that singapore is lacking is good signposting for bus stops etc. and so after a little while I had no idea where I was headed. I asked a local couple sitting next to me where the prison was and they asked me whether i wanted the "mens or womens prison" to which i said either? Alarm bells should have rung at this point but I just nodded and smiled and got off with them at their stop as they said they were going to the same place. When we got off they asked me if had a pass or a warrent. Alarm bells should have rung again but I said I had my passport and he nodded and smiled. As it turns out when we got off, i was led to the "actual" prison! At this point, a big burly security guard with a gun half my size blocked my way, refusing me entry. That was when it all came together, the odd looks and questions from the local couple now made sense.
I asked the guy for the MUSEUM and he said it was a 10-15 walk away. I headed to the museum which was really informative. i'm no historian to my dads disappointed but it was interesting to read up on the japanese occupation of Singapore during the early 1940s but equally sad to read the accounts of the prisoners of war who were held hostage at the time. After this, I headed to nearby changi village to eat at a popular Hawker centre. for those of you that don't know what these are, they're cheap and cheerful eateries which serve most food under the sun and are often v popular with locals and are open till early hours of the morning. I opted for a South Indian meal and had a massive paper dosa with yummy chutney, sambhar (curry) and pickle. This, washed down with a cold coke, came to the huge sum of $3! Happy days!
I headed back to the city centre after changi as it was approaching 4 and I had been told by my friend that the daily rains can hit anytime between 3.30-5.30 and I didn;t fancy being caught up in that debacle again. (i still dont have an umbrella) I got off at a random stop on the buss and realised i was in Little India so map in hand I had a gander. It is supposedly a lot more lively in the evenings but the smell of incense, the blast of bollywood music and the sari shops were a nice reminder of Ealing road. There's a large popultion of South Indians migrants in Singapore, most of whom work in construction, and so a lot of businesses cater for their needs in this part of town. I headed into another South Indian temple, this one was dediicated to the goddess Kali, and did- what are becoming a daily occurence- my prayers.
On my way back, as I was looking at the map, I was greeted by a very bubbly American woman. She asked me if i was lost (which i wasnt i'll have you know!) and we struck up a conversation in the middle of the road. 10mins later after being beeped and horned at we moved from the road to the pavement and had a good old natter. She was in Singapore renewing her Indonesian Visa as she now lives in Bali and reccomended me her hostel where she was staying for a few nights. I wont be needing to stay there but I paid it a visit and it was really nice so for those of you heading that way- just ask me and i'll pass on the details!
By this time, the rains hadn't come- typical! but it was definitely time to head home for a shower and a rest so I walked back accidentally taking the long route! Anyway, now im home and the first thing I did was to update you all. I hope I havent bored you but it's lonely not having anyone to talk to being the parrot that i am! I've just heard from my friend who's leaving work soon (it's past 8pm- oh the joys of being a banker) and i'll be meeting him in town for dinner. Better go get ready for that.
Will be back with mroe tomorrow. lots of love,
Px
