Marthe & Ranveig: Singapore - A Taste Of Everything!

After 5 good hours on the bus and a passport control we reached our second destination, Singapore! Once again, we were lucky – and had a friend we could stay with.

We arrived at Rani's place in the evening, and spent rest of the day chatting, mostly about our travels, and about her country – Singapore.

In the morning we headed out to be hardcore tourists – a hole lot had to be explored – and that in limited time! We used the MRT (subway) traveling around in Singapore. Whitch we fall deeply in love with. We couldn't stop talking about how clean and perfect and all its clever details while we were there, and we still mention it quite a lot.

The first thing we noticed was the security wall in front of the train rail, and then people followed the arrows and waited while passengers alighted the train.

And then this brilliant pole appered:

The pole in the middle, was not just a pole, it was the perfect pole!

We figured the reason for it being so clean was the rule against easting and drinking on the subway, and off course the general rule against littering. And the people of Singapore being very well behaved, everybody do as they are told. Except from Marthe off course, the expression on fellow passengers while she chew on that chocolate bar – priceless.

The first stop on our route in Singapore were the National Orchid Garden, were we got a good and almost healing walk in a park before we ended up in this beautiful garden.

Just to see something quite the opposite we took the MRT to Chinatown. Chinatown were crowded and noisy, but for us also very exotic. The Chinese New Year is comming up, and the whole area is preparing. 2012 will be the year of the Dragon. The same as in the happy year of 1988.

Some random photos from Chinatown:

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and museum.

Chineese lunch.

Some school children wanted to teach us "happy new years" in mandarin!

A whole day in the sun made us really tired, us norwegians need some time to adjust. At least these ones do! So we went home to relax a little before Rani and Roald took us out for a nice dinner.

Rani knew about a place called “The Sunshine Place”, where they are famous for their crab dishes. And we understand why! We tried pepper crab and egg crap. Together with rice, Chinese salad and a cold Tiger beer it was a absolutely perfect meal.

The one thing you have to do, when you are in Singapore, is to drink the well known Singapore Sling, and off course it has to be done at Long Bar in Raffles Hotel! It was in this bar it was developed by a bartender the first time back around 1915.

It was a nice way to end our day in Singapore, with a sweet drink and a good live band playing song s we all know.

The last day in Singapore was relaxing (our legs were tired of all the walking the day before), we spent some hours at the pool where we lived, and went to an Indian Restaurant with Rani and Roald before we had to go to the airport.

The food was good as usual which we ate the traditional way, on banana leafs!

By staying at a friend's place, we save money off course, but the best thing is that you get great tips about where to eat! Rani took us to the best places! Thank you.:-)

Photos Singapore: