People think I'm crazy for going to Singapore alone and for not trying out Sentosa, Jurong or Marina Bay. But the usual tourist spots are just not my stuff. I would rather walk the old, dingy areas and get a taste of the local culture - or what's left of them - in this shiny, well-polished, squeaky clean little city. Being alone means easily blending in with the locals, quicker travel, absorbing the experience, and no one whining about their aching feet by my side.
Singapore itself has not much history on its own, but being such a touristy place it's literally bursting to the seams with different cultures from Asia and around the world. It's probably the only place where I would find traditional Thai foot massage in the Indian quarter and an authentic Austrian Bratwurst in Chinatown. Hanging out in a cafe in Kampong Glam the deep house music from the speakers meld with the 'call to prayer' being chanted from a nearby mosque, while around me I could hear the buzz of probably at least seven different languages.
Little India after the rain
An ominous-looking Marina Bay Sands
Pushpa mala along Serangoon Road
Making my Kali puja in the Sri Veerakamaliaman temple on a busy Sunday.
Elaborate road sign in Little India in English and Tamil.
Crows flutter about in the skies.
Seafood Laksa on the streets of Chinatown.
Moving art in the subway.
Going into the inner courtyard of Thian Hok Keng (Temple of Heavenly Happiness)
The giant buddha of Sakhya Muni Buddha Gaya temple.
Bukit Timah, just across my hotel.
Colorful buildings along Arab Street
The golden domes of Malabar mosque
Along Orchard Road.
Skyscrapers on the business district
A curious wall
Posh boutiques line up the famous Orchard Road
Got to have one of those photos.
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