On to the exotic...almost

Trip Start Oct 01, 2007
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Trip End Oct 01, 2008


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Flag of Singapore  ,
Friday, March 21, 2008

After three days of continuous rain in Cairns, we made the executive decision to move on.  Singapore is where we headed and, unknown to us, the red light district is where we decided to stay.  Our cab driver was a bit sqweemish when we told him the address of the hotel we had booked on-line.  He insisted that we did not want to stayin that area, but we insisted that we did.  Our hotel was called Happy Hotel and they rented rooms by the hour.  Nice.  I suppose the name should have given it away, but what did we know. 

With only two nights to spare and not much to see, we leisurely made our way to the zoological gardens and wander amounst the Orang Utans.  Without a doubt, this zoo kicks San Diego's ass.  The baboons were ridiculous in their games of teasing and fighting.  The white tiger, so elegant and relaxed.  Chimps, bearded monkeys and weird looking primates with penis looking noses.  The even had two manatees!  We spent most of the time watching the monkeys, but another favorite was the rain forest walk through.  On a small path through lush gardens with mist in the air we were face to face with bright colored birds, sloths, butterflies, and monkeys...no cages here except the one you're in with them.  Very cool. 

After the zoo we strolled around the river walk turning down food offer after food offer.  "Chinese food?  Sir?" 
"Ma'am, seafood?  Seafood?  Lobster?"  "Dinner?  Lunch?"  It was a strech of about 200 meters with 8 zillion restaurants all serving the same food and all with someone standing in the walkway harassing foreigners.  Not exactly enjoyable, but hey, it's only 200 meters.  On the other side of the river we walked through this brand new cross-shaped plaza with crazy looking umbrella like awnings to keep the rain out.  Our travel book describes them as Dr. Suess looking.  I think they hit the nail on the head.  All the restaurants and bars in this plaza look brand new and very posh.  In the middle of the plaza they have a ground fountain with dancing water.  It looks like a place we would all like to spend time in until the wee hours of the morning...but I don't think they do that here. 

Well, that was it.  One day and out.  I don't think we missed anything except the shopping on Orchard street, but we have budgets to worry about and no luggage space to spare.  From here, we've decided to island hop up the coast of Malaysia.
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