Please use sanitizer to desinfect keyboard after use...Sep 9, 2009
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The last part of the trip just went way too quickly...didn't even get the time to be loyal to my travel journal...
By now I am already back in London for a whole week and try to get used to the very differently paced life style again...
Nevertheless, here are my Singapore highlights.
My first impression of Singapore was just as expected. A clean city that runs like clockwork.
I needn't had to worry about withdrawing cash or how to get to the hostel.
An ATM from the Royal Bank of Scotland was awaiting me at the airport arrival hall and I easily found a direct bus to the "Hang Out" Hotel on Upper Wilkie Road.
Nothing much happened that night. Just enjoyed the nice accommodation and tried to catch up on my sleep.
The next day led Martin and me to an exploration of the district Little India. A very colourful part of the city, though probably even more impressive and mind-blowing during night time. We had other plans for the evening however and decided to book a seat on the famous "Night Safari", that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world and which exclusivity made us curious. And what can I say...it was a full success. Trained animals that I had never ever seen before were performing tricks and stunts such as placing empty bottles in the correct recycling bin...Even during an entertaining show like that, the Singaporeans reinforce their ideals for society, such as recycling and being considerate of one another.
The actual safari through the zoo was really cool as well. It was just a bit annoying that the magical atmosphere and seeing all these animals by night and in a very authentic habitat was sort of diminished by a few people that kept on chatting loudly and even answered their phone and passed it on to different members of their family...
Anyways, a really good experience and something I certainly haven't seen before.
We spent the next day on Sentosa Island. A very artificial looking amusement park in which even the nature walks that connect one attraction with another are fake (including the water falls to the sides)...
Really good fun though!
Had a very interesting and revitalizing encounter with some diligent doctor fish who had the dead skin of our feet for lunch...
And after that we enjoyed a delicious chocolate, strawberry cocktail at the Cafe del Mar. And I was sitting at a pool bar for the first time in my life and enjoying it too.
We also checked out an exhibition which was called "Images of Singapore". It basically tells the country's history, but in a very entertaining and colourful way.
That night we met up with friends' of Martin. I found it really interesting to get to know some locals and to see that they are not as reserved and shy as they might first seem. Singapore has a really vibrant night life, too. Good drinks, atmosphere and live bands at every corner.
The day after that we spent exploring the different little markets in Singapore...A stroll through China town was fascinating...but the food halls were just as cool!
Everything so affordable that it's much more fun to look around.
But I did not want to spend my money since I had a special purchase left for the last day.
We also stopped at the famous Raffle Hotel and had a look at the billiard room which was as stunning as imagined.
Since it was out last evening, we went a bit over the top, and dined on a roof-top-terrace, overlooking Singapore. A beautiful view and a nice moment to just enjoy and start to realize that 3 1/2 months of travelling are coming to an end shortly.
The last day was dominated by a final shopping spree. I bought three beautiful pairs of shoes, which I had seen on the first day and had finally decided to buy...They were 60 quid all together and going back for them was probably one of the best ideas I ever had
: )
Our final farewell to the city consisted of another extravagance. We enjoyed a cocktail on the 70th floor of the Stamford Hotel which was a final lasting experience before it was time to go back to Europe!
