Monday, June 20, 2011

Singapore and some more

     After a large beer with S and sharing a cab home (the LRT was having one of its freak-outs and not running) I made some pasta and I am currently on the couch relaxing after a tiring Monday. It wasn't stressful or anything, just still tired from the weekend (so my apologies for the lack sense this post will most likely make).

     Singapore was a great time. I met so many awesome people it made my trip. I ended up staying with my host on the first night, R for the whole trip. He was one of those people that you meet in life who you truly feel like you've known for ever (I've only met two other people in my life like this). He hails from Egypt, and if you've known me for an extended period of time, you know that Egypt has been on the top of my places-to-go list for over a decade. Needless to say, we had lots to talk about. I am fascinated by Egyptian culture and now I have an even better reason to make a visit some day. We got along quite well and it was awesome to have him show me around.

     After I arrived and dropped my stuff off at R's car, I headed down to the Esplanade to check out the architecture and meet up with Y from TB. Y is so sweet, we grabbed ice cream at Marina Bay Resort and wandered around. Discussed about life, travel, and what not. I hope she (and, of course, R) come to visit me at some point (if you are reading this, you are always welcome). Either here or back in CO. Y and I were going to meet up on Saturday, but our plans didn't match up in the end.

     For dinner I met up with a bunch of CSers in Little India for some amazing Indian food (MSG free, which is a plus in these parts). There were a bunch of guys from India talking about their country, and they not only convinced me with their comments, but with their fun personalities. I've always been skeptical about going ever since my stomach had its issues in Mongolia, but honestly they've beyond convinced me. I was told multiple times that it is either a place you love or never go back. If I can get over the food/stomach thing I'm pretty positive I'll love it. I enjoy places far removed from what I am used to. Money is, of course, an issue so maybe one of these days.

     After dinner all of us headed over to Chinatown to get some cheap beers at the hawker center there. The lady who served us was like the Chinese mother I never had. You can probably picture her in your head. She gave us some discounts and even offered us free 'peanuts' (aka garbanzo beans). When I got a road soda and a water to go she gave me one of the lowest bows I've ever seen in appreciation. It was, in a nutshell, cute. However, between the huge group of us, we did buy plenty of beers, I would be thankful too.

     The next stop was Clark Quay, where all the bars/clubs are, we chilled out on the bridge, drank some more, hung out, and my camera got passed around. It is a lively place where people essentially just hang out and drink with club music booming in the background. It's the kind of place I like to be, casual and a place for good conversation. Got home late and slept in some.

     The next day R and I had Kaya toast (toast with coconut jam, butter, and soft boiled egg...basically the best thing ever for breakfast) with some dim sum. We played with the dogs (he has three mutts, loved them, as I obviously miss my own doggy at home). Next we putted around Chinatown where I bought some souvenirs. Next we went to Arab Street and had a long lunch with shesha. We had some really good conversations about culture, religion, travel, and enjoying life. We were going to go to Little India, but a relaxing lunch seemed like a better option. Next we stopped by La Salle (at this point it was night). The place made you feel like you were in a rendering.

     That night I went to one of the best parties I've been to. It was one of those things that you wouldn't have known about unless you lived there. It was a beach party at Saratosa Island. Admission was free and you could BYOB (which we did, 2 bottles of FABULOUS vodka for the group, a tube of glow sticks, three squirt guns, and light up bunny ears). There were fire dancers, a pool, kites with LED lights, a kick ass DJ, and a ton of people. Although I'm usually not  fan of this type of clubby party thing, I've been craving a big dance party with a large group of people (CSers all came) and there is nothing better than dancing on the beach in the moonlight. We stayed out quite late, got back, grabbed some food, and passed out.

     The next morning I awoke with no hangover (enhancing the awesomeness of the vodka) and R gave me a ride to the bus station. I slept the whole way home. Singapore was so much different than I expected it to be. Yes it is, at times, too clean. There are a lot of fake people hanging about. It also has a large number of foreigners which shouldn't have surprised me, but did. Furthermore, especially coming from Malaysia, it was expensive. However with all of that being said, the architecture kicks ass, the food is better than the rave reviews give it, and the people I met there were so great. It is a very cosmopolitan city. Similar to KL I can see myself living there for a year or so. I actually found this surprising because the two places are extremely different. I really wish I had a better way to explain it, but I don't. Feelings are feelings, they often don't have explanations. If I wasn't making Malaysian wages I'd try to go back.

     When I got back to KL, it did feel good to be back. There is something about KL that I can relate to. Government and laws aside, I enjoy the sometimes non-sensical way of things here. Although I'm constantly terrified of j-walking across Jalan Ampang I secretly like the thrill. Once again, I don't really know where I'm going with this, which is why this post is quite hard to write. Most people around here seem to like one or the other, but I like them both. They should mix and have a love child city.

    Well it's time to get away from the computer. One last thing, I think I've decided where I'm going to go next month. The CSers are meeting in Bali at the end of July and I hope it works out. Flights seem cheap and Bali is a place I've always wanted to visit. Here are some pics before I sign off...

Mer-lion and spaceship Marina 

Marina Bay

Chinatown

Clark Quay

V doing the coconut tree climb

Da Bridge

Chinese Medicine shop

Render world

Beach party


-M

2 comments:

  1. aw u missed the group hug pic out ...but enjoyed the blog post

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh yes...the group hug! I believe it's on FB

    ReplyDelete