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  Singapore, Singapore
Friday, November 30, 2007

My good friend Dave sent an email saying that he was glad I was starting my Asia tour in Singapore as it is 'Asia for Beginners'.  He wasn't kidding.  I had a great couple of days there, particularly because I was fortunate to stay with two teacher friends of my friends Roger and Andrea.  Their place was lovely and close to everything and they provided me with all kinds of tourist information and maps.  So, I set out on my first day to walk through the main shopping area to the Botanical Gardens.  They have a spectacular orchid garden that had every orchid you could imagine.  Many of them are named after famous visitors to the garden like Nelson Mandela.  There was a much appreciated cool room which was a perfect place to both admire orchids and get out of the heat.  
  After my very American breakfast at Starbuck's I decided to dive in and wandered around a food court for a while until I found the nerve to approach one of the counters.  I managed to identify rice and had some fish and a vegetable neither of which I could identify, but they were filling and delicious nonetheless.  After a long day of walking, I decided to take a break at the famous Raffles Hotel and have the required Singapore Sling which went down very well.  I headed off to the Museum of Singapore and enjoyed their interactive display telling the history of how Singapore came to be and how it was affected by the war and industrialization.  I thought I'd head out again, but discovered that Singapore was experiencing its daily thunderstorm.  This one seemed to go on for a very long time, so I plunked myself on a cozy cushion with a cup of tea and waited it out.  Turns out it was quite a bad storm and there was flooding in several areas.  Many tourists were waiting at the front door for it to stop.  Eventually it eased and I pulled out my umbrella and headed of to Clark Quay for supper.  All the Christmas decorations and lights are up and it was a magical place.  I had a seafood salad and a glass of wine.  The seafood was prawns, scallops and octopus....tough on the vegetarian, but they tasted good anyway.  Headed home with blisters on my feet and ready for bed.
  The next day I knew I wouldn't be able to manage that kind of walking, so I found a hop on/off bus that only cost three dollars with my Air Singapore boarding pass.  I went to Little India, the Arab Quarter, the arts centre and Boat Quay for a wee dram later in the day.  The heat today was oppressive and I nearly melted away waiting for the last bus.  I met my hosts at home and they took me out for a Japanes Bar-B which is set on your table...if only I would move my head out of the way...and we cooked up a feast of prawns, scallops and veggies with a lovely salad with Sesame oil dressing.   We walked over to a place by the water and had a couple of beers before heading home. 
  It was a great two days and I look forward to heading back and seeing Chinatown later in February.  Hopefully, by then I will be a little more courageous.  I really only walked into Little India and down Arab Street in the Arab Quarter.  Haven't quite got my courage up to sightsee like I did in Australia.  There are so many people, shops, sounds and smells that are foreign to me.  I think it just takes a while to feel relaxed enough to dive in.  Made me wish I was travelling with someone.  But I'm not.
  Before I end today, I just want to let you know that I'm sitting at a computer in Bangkok.  I flew out this morning and was able to get a cab and arrive at my hotel without incident.  It was truly amazing to see with my own eyes the sights that I've only seen on television.  The traffic put on an outstanding performance.  I especially love the girls riding side saddle on the back of a motorcycle, weaving in and out of tremendous traffic and often without a helmet.  No fear!!  Fear.  Hmmm.  Seems to be an ongoing battle with fear.  I was shaking when I arrived at the airport this morning.  I just keep saying to myself that everything will work out.  And imagine that, it does!  I'm heading off now to put a little green curry in my tummy and then have sweet dreams about what is to come.  Stay warm my Canadian friends, Al
 

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