Enjoyment of the Singapore Sling (a mixture of gin, Benedictine, cherry brandy and club soda) on board Singapore Airlines flight, I started planning my trip in Singapore. Rick has promised that much of what I see and experience. My mind asks for images with high rice and Chinese men in business needs. It could be that of any other Singapore from Mumbai? Maybe. It would be much cleaner and free of slums, for sure. My aunt told me about a great shops and Chinatown, where Icould buy a cheap Chinese goods. I hate shopping. I was wondering if there was something else to do for me. When the plane landed at Changi International Airport (and certainly the best I've seen so far), I said in my breath. It 'was the longest trip that I was the farthest.
home, miles away
I heard a lot Changi – what they have to offer the millions of tourists who come for shopping, entertainment and food courts. Even before Ilanded, I recommended that I set aside three hours a day for my return to their Changi. But, strangely, not Changi dazzle me. Yes, I was impressed with its shopping malls, airlines (the first time for me), and escalators and many people I look Caucasian and Mongoloid features. But somehow, just does not feel like a foreign country.
Incredible India!
We went out and dragged from a taxi – one with a incredible India advertising is about. When we went,City reminds me of Mumbai or Calcutta – or a little of both. When we went to the center, Rick reported on the Singapore Flyer and skyscrapers nearby. "This is the image of Singapore everywhere," he said. Oh, really!
There is no place for us
The taxi to the YMCA in One, Orchard Road, one of the most elegant addresses in Singapore. We thank the driver and elegant lobby YMCA. Receptionist looked up on our books (S $ 90 per room per night) and calmly told us that wecould only check in at 2:00. It was 8:00. We begged him to a room, but he just said that they all occupied. Horrified, we decided to have our luggage to leave and go in search of breakfast. I thought that Singapore would be much like Mumbai. Unfortunately I was wrong. In Mumbai, you can check around to find food at any time of day. In Singapore, starting the day at 11.00. It is hard for a place to eat before you find. We discovered that we dig your teeth into a S $ 5.80 Metrosandwiches. So much for the experience of Singapore!
Singapore is a river?
I would have to meet Shreyas after six years. It was not like we were best friends in college, but when you go to a foreign country, is super-excited when you see familiar faces. We were to meet Shreyas 12:00. I said as we were welcomed to the YMCA. She was worried. Fortunately for us, the receptionist was able to seat vacant until 10:30. We finally have a roof over our heads for 11 hours.Then I called the number Shreyas (S $ 50 we bought a SIM card at the airport). Shreyas has asked us to meet Riccotti, an Italian restaurant in the Singapore River. "There is a river in Ireland, I was not aware of?" He said: "Well, it used to be a part of the sea which have failed have done, and now have desalinated water drunk .." Wow! And we Mithi in Mumbai on the high seas!
Travel light
Since we were probably a travel budget, we decided to buy aEzy-Link card from the MRT (Mass Rapid Transport Short). Scratchcards (we bought a S $ 10) you can travel by underground and buses throughout Singapore. It 's a blessing for commuters, since the prices are ridiculously high cabin. Just swipe the card in front of the train station and scratches in front of the fire station. It 's so simple! And if you wonder why Singaporeans are not fat is because of the amount of walking and climbing (yes, there are escalators) toapply to the MRT everyday.
Shopping in Chinatown
I thought I would find it difficult to negotiate and communicate with merchants in Chinatown. Instead, they have difficulty following what we wanted. Indians love to watch the goods in a market. If we spent two hours shopping, this is more or less divided in 1.45 minutes and 15 minutes of actual time spent on purchases. We have the embarrassment of being used by our distributors that we all deal with them before continuingbargaining bits. They offer us tea or soda, give us time to decide what to buy. And when we went down to a question of bargaining, which will run to us that the item in our price. The Chinese are a bit 'different. They may not like it when you surf the goods removed without really good. They cuddle. If you buy, offer a lower price ("Ok, three to S $ 10) once again, and if you go live.turn our backs on you and look to the next customer. Revenue is all that counts. Who cares about customer service? What have we achieved, China-made leather bags, scarves, a Chinese box of jewelry, a Chinese compass, and chop the tissue-box cover.
"I eat everything that moves"
This is the idea rickets. I never dreamed of munching kebabs in Singapore, but insisted Rick check us his favorite number – Arab, near the Sultan Mosque. And managed to get Geoand Kedar, the roof with a round of drinks. The place: al-Majlis. We draw on the mat and order a hookah, kebab and lamb mixed with chicken, hummus and pita bread. I was on what to order when mulling Geo approached me and said, "Arre, bindaas Denmark, but Main Hoon. NA eat. Anything that moves." "Pork and meat?" "Yes." Frog? "You have tried frog leg soup is a specialty of Singapore (as a pig organ soup), but: It is not recommended because there is not much meat on it." Gulp!
Orchidsin cages
My aunt suggested I check the Singapore Zoo and a set of orangutans there. Rick did not like the idea of fur primates anywwhere approach me. So I took at Singapore Botanical Garden. The green patch was a welcome sight for shopping malls in Orchard Road. The idea of establishing a national garden began in 1822 when Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of modern Singapore, has developed the first experimental and botanical garden at Fort Canning (yes,they have one there), we examined the Swan Lake, where we saw two swans restless and something that hopefully a turtle swimming appeared. Next stop: Orchid Garden. Buy tickets S $ 5 each to see orchids in cages! But there was no chance for them to escape. We had our pictures and then went to the "forest" that came very close to the "right thing", EXCEPT that not so much as one day on the track! "A rain forest insect free!" I Saw pest controlof … We moved quickly to ginger garden, where we discovered that turmeric in the same family, and then decided to go to the "Cool House. I half-expected winter in an air conditioned greenhouse plants. What I found was tropical ferns , pitcher plants and epiphytes. This is probably the best part of the journey. Like the rest, is a controlled environment, but the vessels showed signs of insect life. Finally!
Chilli Crab
favorite food of Singapore isomnipresent. It knocks the space between the pig organ soup and frog legs and shorter than Chinese food stalls along the road. Francis Ong, a friend of Rick said: "We are between Singapore and pepper. It 'was the recommendation of Francis Group be MBA graduates from the Nanyang Technology University (NTU) met Mellben Seafood, Ang Mo Kio. Kati insisted and Francis' This is where we have the best chili crab in Singapore. "Rick and I tried to create a versionsoft-shelled crab in Sentosa but Rick told me that the right thing to waste. But with Francis on our part, there was no way we could have gone wrong. Crab was – all red and immersed in chili sauce – ready to eat. But ALIS and Rosemary decide to capture its original state, before undergoing in our mouth chewing. We waited for the "shoot 'to stop and then just ripped each other crab – of Paw Paw. No one cared cracking Shell. We have done with our handsincisors, molars and language. Francis scoffed when set relic on a separate plate. "This is the way to do it," he said, pointing to a pile of shells on the table. Other dishes on the plate contained algae, shrimp corn (another favorite), dumplings, crab pepper and something like Chicken Island. I tried to dig, but I decided to ask Francis for what it was. "Rana". I could see the familiar form. Kati egg me to try. "It tastes like chicken."I look back and I think with the skin. "No, I do not think I have the stomach for it." Cost of dinner S $ 419 divided between 13 people. It makes sense to eat in large groups!
Are you Indian? Are you sure?
I was surprised when I asked this question for the control Singapore our return trip to Tioman in Malaysia. I asked the same question at Starbucks and even in Little India (where I found leaflets in Bangla SingTel). Later Kedar said: "Here, becausethe large Tamil population, people generally believe that Indians are dark skinned with curly hair. They all say the same thing. I'm sure I've never heard of Maharashtrians, much less Kokanastha Brahmins "Some comfort.!
Shorts and high heels
I remember my Almås on Facebook about how women in Italy: Always wear high heels. Not only have I not believe you got my kitten heels have chosen to take. On my first trip MRT Clarke Quay (pronounced key-Clar), I noticedblacks women in trousers, shirts and jackets formal balance on himself stilletoes pumps and high. Ouch! Shorts to work? Rick says: "Here's how it is here the more you look, the better."
The hat and cloak!
We ask that clothing sales rickets in Serangoon Broadway. NTU has an exclusive tire from the hill, the store owner decides to exploit and make sure the packages. "You buy the clothes, it will cost S $ 42 You buy the package with two photos of S $ 100, you getdress for free. There were people willing to pay S $ 2,000 for large photos and a free dress!
No history, culture
When I looked at tourist sites in Singapore, I found many things I like. The reserves are so well maintained (without feeling creepy-crawlies) that they almost look artificial. The malls are elegant and clean, but we saw enough of them in India know. There is the National Museum of Orchard Road, where you can meet for a fightSingapore independent and there is the Church of St Andrews and your town hall near the Esplanade of the British-built. But it's over. In their attempt to create a modern, Singapore has to give his story. It is rather trade culture to technology than men. When I told Francis I found more joy in Malaysia, said that organizations can surly because of the hectic pace of life in a very controlled environment. The media is controlledthis expression and the formation of opinions and ideas is limited, Rick told me. There is a ban on chewing gum and house foreign journalists are often intercepted. The 60 km x 40 km island offers little opportunity for freedom, but unlimited opportunities to achieve wealth, you can buy the freedom of going to the USA or Canada will be better-off Singaporeans. That is the choice for the local population. As for visitors, content must be stored.