Singapore.... Here we come!

On August 8th, a colleague (Ed) and I had to take a trip to Singapore to work on our visas.... so, why not go on Saturday the 6th, stay the weekend, and have some fun!  The school sent us on Lion Air.  The flight there was fairly uneventful; however, I did end up playing 'mother' to a young man who was flying from Jakarta to Singapore to see his girlfriend who was attending the University there.  The young man sitting on my left was well dressed - nice clean pressed white shirt, tie, and black slacks.  He told me about  how he hasn't seen her in a while and that he attempts to get a job there during each visit. (He can't live there without a work visa)  He was excited to see her and felt that the flight couldn't have ended too quickly.  Just before we landed he noticed a small stain on his shirt.  He tried to get it out with no avail.  So, Mother Charlotte to the rescue.  I told him that I had a 'wet wipe' in my back (stored in the overhead) and I would get one for him when we landed.  He was very appreciative and waiting patiently when the plane came to a stop.  The smile on his face when I handed him the wet wipe and the bigger smile he gave me when it took the stain out was worth everything to me at that moment.  Yet another reminder that we are placed in certain places and in certain seats because God put us there.  For me, on that day, I was put there to put a smile a smile on a young man's face and ease his mind.  Sometimes, it's the little things in life that matter the most!

Once we alighted (as Edwardo likes to say it) we entered a 'little city' within the airport.  I bet I could have spent a week just in the airport and Still not experienced everything.  Wow!  Shopping, eating, drinking, pampering, sleeping - you name it, it's there.

Tons of people at the airport.... everywhere you look.

Emigration was full, so we stopped at a free Internet booth and checked our emails… and FB, of course!  After letting our loved ones know we landed safely, we sailed through emigration and off to the air train… which took us to the MRT.

MRT is the subway system…. Pretty cool – Fly all the way to Singapore for my first time on a subway!  It was clean and the people were very polite.  The MRT took us to a mall where we had a little fun. 

My first subway ride!  Very clean, fresh air..... good experience!

We alighted at one of the malls.... where I found this -

So this must be how every well dressed Singaporean man should look like….

Kites – anyone? J

Then to a mall that Ed was familiar with to eat lunch….. I'm Hungry!!!!

…my first meal in Singapore.  Not sure what it was called, but it was delicious.

… Ed just wanted RICE! LOL

We walked a LONG way trying to find a hostel that Ed stayed in the last time he was in Singapore.  Not finding it, we looked at one that was close by.  It was Really bad.  I would have been fearful to even touch the bed!  So, I suggested that we head for Chinatown and see what we could find there. 

Reaching Chinatown,  we found several very clean hostels that were reasonably priced.  The only problem was that they were all full.  There was no room at the Inn. Ha ha.   So, we kept looking and found some interesting things along the way....

Street Mime

Man working on his bike...

Man reading in the park.... don't find that at home. :)

This picture speaks volumes about the Asian culture.... Love it!

And the architecture is Beautiful!  Everywhere you look...

There was one that had space for us.  It had once been a hotel, so everything was new due to the recent conversion…. Making me very happy!  All the walking and sun made us very tired and sleepy, so we rested and took showers before dinner.

But before dinner, we strolled down to the pier to take a look at the Merlion.... and a few other things along the way -

I am told that this is a casino.... next trip, I am going up!  Well, ya know I will. :)

 

The Merlion... I understand there is a larger one on Sentosa Island.

Chinatown.... shopping anyone?

We ate in Chinatown, but I wasn’t too happy.  The quality didn’t fit the price paid.  Note: not there again.

We took a short look around Chinatown before retiring to our rooms for a good nights rest.

The hostel was pretty nice.  It was set up like dorm rooms…. Women in one section – men in another section.   I had a bathroom in my room, but most hostels aren’t set up that way.   Most are communal.  I thought I took pictures, but I guess not….. I will do so on my next trip.

That's all for now, till we meet again....