In Singapore
Trip Start
Jun 22, 2007
1
11
29
Trip End
Mar 2008
Singapore,
Singapore
Friday, September 21, 2007
Cab was inexpensive... Around S$13. The current exchange rate is about $1 USD to S$1.5, which is pretty good.
Betel Box Backbackers Hostel is comfortable and approachable. It's located in a somewhat seedy area in Singapore, since I see a lot of bars, working girls, and KTV joints, but the place is clean, friendly and conveniently located. The dorm rooms have the typical bunk beds, but they are solid and don't move around when you are climbing on top. Each dorm room has about 16 beds. An eye shade and ear plugs are useful. Bring a pad lock as well.
Right now, it's the month of Ramadan, so the Muslims fast during the day and break fast around 7:15 p.m. At night, there's also a lot of celebration going on.
I took the subway to Bugis station and walked around. I went to the Singapore Art museum and I was impressed with the Southeast Asian art there. I walked by the Raffles hotel and snapped a few shots.
Overall, not too impressed with Singapore.
I did have a Singapore sling, but not at the Raffles Hotel... Alcohol in Singapore is far too expensive. I was talking with some other travelers and 2 pints of Tiger Beer cost them S$33....
that's quite a bit.
If you haven't had chili crab, you should try some. Definitely worth the S$33 I paid for it. It was delicious. The sauce is spectacular and I was drinking it after I finished all the crab... I went to 2 places to try to get it. The first place had a 2 kilogram minimum which is ridiculous for 1 person to eat. I understand that though, but the second place had a smaller crab which was plenty for me to eat.
While I was at Betel Nut, I listened to some guests from Vietnam. They were from the Blue Dragon Children's Foundation and were in Singapore to talk about what they were doing and build awareness about the street children in Vietnam.
Here's their website. http://www.bdcf.org/
They are doing a very good job and doing something very meaningful.
To get to Malaysia, I bought tickets at the Golden Mile complex. I bought round-trip tickets which I shouldn't have, but I wanted to make sure I got back and didn't miss my flight. Usually, most people buy a 1 way ticket into Malaysia and then buy another one-way back since the ride back from Malaysia into Singapore is cheaper....
i also got onto a bus that goes to Pasrakyat station instead of Pudu where I think most people end up.
