I am loving Singapore! Yesterday, I spent the morning at the fabulous zoo, watching many creatures I had never seen in my life, like the white tiger. I like the zoo in some ways because it allows people to see animals that they might never see. On the other hand, I am not someone who thinks animals should live in caged surroundings. This zoo is a good compromise: it takes in some orphaned and injured animals and places them in open spaces without many barriers, instead depending on large cavities between the animal and the viewer to suffice in protecting both.
I had a wonderful dim sum lunch at the zoo before wandering through the African animals (lion, giraffe, zebra, and rhinos) exhibit. One day I will get back to my beloved Africa. There are many differences between the continents. The heat here is incredible due to the humidity. In Kenya, it was a scorching dry heat which I loved. The flora and fauna are similar but the people are different. I feel incredibly safe here. I do not have to fear being ogled or taken advantage of in any way. It is peaceful here. Walking around at night is possible and plausible. In Burundi and Nairobi, I never went out after dark. I have not see much poverty here either. It is a refreshing change and I can see why my friend is not sure she can return home.
I came home for a quick dip in the pool before heading to Chinatown to meet her at one of the Hindu temples. The noise and smells were intriguing as I watched some type of ritual of offering. I have never been in a temple and so am unfamiliar with the entire process. Food offerings litter the temple and my friend tells me that often there are rats at temples which made total sense to me.
From there we wandered through the stalls of Chinatown, both of us buying gifts. I rubbed the laughing Buddha’s belly. My friend has had several dozen visitors over her time here and so knows exactly when to have us pause and take a photo and where the best deals are in town. This makes the travel experience so simple. She has been amazingly gracious, planning my days of adventure as she heads to work. I am grateful.
Then we headed to a hawker area called Gluttony Bay, which is true to its name. We shared skewers of satay, rice, and for me, a new type of vegetable that looked like spinach and was doused in oyster oil that was incredibly tasty. Afterwards we wandered through the waterfront area with a magnificent colourful skyline. The Singapore Flyer, the new casino with the pool on the top floor, the durian-shaped theatre, and the Merlion (half fish, half lion) statue are famous, must-see landmarks. The Merlion is normally a white statue that was spewing coloured water and changing colours last night via a computer light show.
We then took a boat ride to the MRT (rapid transit system) and walked around a bit in an area full of bars. We stopped in at one and had a delicious mango margaritas that had a bit of a slurpee effect. I am enjoying all the fruit and the food in general here. I have been quite well while I traveled here. You can even drink the tap water.
It was an awesome day and I am ready for another adventure today, returning to this area, including shopping in Little India and other markets, going to a mosque, trying my hand at the Casino, and seeing how much this slow tourist can fit into one day. I have been moving at a leisurely pace most days here but hope to pick it up a wee bit today.
Peace,
Suzanne
No comments:
Post a Comment