Singapore!

Jan 8th

Decided to head to Singapore for a few days to stay with a couchsurfer. Took a SUPER VIP bus there (only 18 seats, lots of legroom and recline), almost 6 hrs with immigration. Made it through, though aparently the bus only waits for you for 20min. If you don't make it in that time they leave without you and you have to get a ticket on another bus.  Met JoAnna at vivocity, then got desert (for dinner). I got Mango Pomello Sago (Fresh mango and pomello with Mango pudding and small tapioca pearls as far as I can tell) it was wonderful. I also got to try mango dumplings (like mochi) and a mango pancake (mango puree? and whipped cream wrapped in a thin pancake into a small package) and hot black seseme paste. Everything was very, very good.  After desert we walked to see the harborfront for a brief,  very pretty view.

Prices here seem to be about equal with US prices (a little lower but not much). With the Singapore Dollar being almost one to one, it's not the cheapest city to visit. Still ok for a few days. 

Jan 9th was an insane day, trying to fit in all of Singapore! J and I had breakfast in a nearby food court type area, I got roasted duck noodles. Then I took off on my own with a map and bus/Metro schedule. Bus to Little india, wandered through the wonderful smelling streets, oh the spices! Then walked to Arab street and checked out the shops, pretty much all the same. 

After a bit of random wandering lost I managed to find the convention center and wandered through the mall a bit before snacking on an iced Peach Jelly. With Peach jelled stuff, shaved ice and Large tapoica pearls? Then more walking around. It's such a clean city with lots of green space. Tons of construction though. Eventually found the National Museam and spent several hours wandering through it. There was a fantastic HUGE history "section", an impresionists exhibit from the Orsay in Paris, and a beautiful swinging chandelier art piece. There was also small exhibits on food, dress and photography throughout Singapore History. 

Caught the Metro (super easy, though took me asking 4 people to find the station down 4 flights of stairs in the university!) over to Chinatown which was full of people and stalls gearing up for Chinese New Year. Met up with J and checked out the opulent Buddah's Tooth temple and saw an inpressive Hindu temple. Bought Jellies and had Dim Sum for dinner. Mmmm tasty. After more wandering we headed over to the Orchard Street (shopping district) area so I could say I saw it. Had to use the bathroom and wow. Couldn't resist taking a photo. Most bathrooms this trip have been pretty jenky. This one was a 10 out of 10. Wow! Then we bussed it back to the Apartment where I bought a plane ticket for the next day! Talk about flying by the seat of my pants travel. 

Next, Back to the beaches of Thailand (or the cheapest flight out of singapore!)