Eclectic Singapore

Jet lag, lack of sleep, and high heat and humidity are not the best combination for sightseeing. Hard as we tried, neither Diane nor I got more than a couple of hours sleep last night. By a quarter to seven this morning, we were already out of the hotel and getting on the subway, heading toward Little India.

Produce market street in Little India

Singapore is quite unique. Malaysians, Indians, Chinese, and the natives, live harmoniously along with several immigrant groups mostly from other Southeast Asian countries, like the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand and Bangladesh. Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism intertwine seemingly quite congenially. We feel like we have travelled to three different countries since arriving here. Little India is vastly different from Chinatown. It can be experienced in the languages spoken, the temples we visited, the amazing aromas wafting from the neighborhoods.

One common characteristic though are the amazing murals painted along many a building façade.

While we have never been to India (hard to believe, I know), today was the closest we felt to having been there. The entire neighborhood might as well have been in Mumbai.

We stopped at a temple with a very exotic name, Sri Veeramakaliamman. A strong pungent incense smell permeated the building, while the devotees offered prayers and gifts. It was very touching and beautiful to watch.

We stopped at a local dive for coffee, tea, and savory donuts before getting back on the subway toward the Colonial district. The contrast could not have been more palpable. The elegance and beauty of the newer Singapore hit us as soon as we stepped out of the station.

St. Andrew's Cathedral

The Singaporean flag

The place reminded me very much of Chicago, although the architecture is indeed vastly different. The Colonial district abuts Marina Bay, and the area where the two neighborhoods meet is akin to Chicago's Millennial Park, with elegant buildings, fancy hotels, lots of monuments, and a river reminiscent of the Chicago River in the Windy City.

The Marina Bay Sands, with its ship-shape roof stands out as a stunning icon in the ever-growing city skyline

Unique bronze statues line up the pedestrian lanes

We had lunch at a riverside Indian restaurant called Curry Village, located in a very picturesque strip of colonial-type buildings. Both our meals were excellent!

By the time I finished my après-lunch stogie, the temperature had reached 90 degrees with an equally high level of humidity. We had intended to stay out until night, experience the lit-up Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Sands light show, but by this time, neither of us could fathom staying out so many more hours. We felt like we had already put out a full day of walking and exploring, and - can I say it again? - we were completely wiped out. So we opted to get back to the hotel, this time by bus, take a short nap, and hopefully feel like going out again when the sun dims a bit. Whether that will happen we'll have to see, so I take advantage of this lull of time and complete this post. If we do go out, tonight's pics will be posted tomorrow.

Street view from Bus number 63

If you read yesterday's blog, I told you about Durians. This sign is posted by the elevator in our hotel.

Cheers, Mates!!