Singapore

Getting to Singapore was painless. The Airport Bus zipped us from Bogor to Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta airport in jut over an hour. Check-in, etc, was easy; we snagged exit row seats, and the Lion Air flight left 20 minutes late but arrived on time at 2 pm local time in Singapore (we lost an hour).

Note to travelers: Lion allows one free checked bag but offers no free amenities to economy passengers; you'll pay for your water or snack. And at Soekarno-Hatta there is no place that I could find to refill my water bottle after passing through security. In fact

We were not sure what to expect from the famously ordered and controlled Singapore. Strictly planned economic growth, no spitting, no jaywalking, etc. Would there be only glistening buildings rising to the sky with obedient citizens traveling between them on spotless sidewalks and 100% efficient pubic transport. Or, as the guide books promised, would there be enough ragged edges and heterogeneity to make Singapore exciting.

Let's look at the photos to see what we found.

Soon after settling in our hotel in Little India we met up with our friends Chu Wei and Z for some veggie Thai food and a boat cruise on the Singapore River.






The next day; a self guided walking tour of Chinatown where preparations for Chinese New Year on Feb 19 are in full swing.








It's the Year of the Goat. Check out the goats in this shot of the Art Deco Majestic Theatre.


And some night shots from the next evening.




We meet Chu Wei for lunch at a vegetarian restaurant in Fortune Centre and walk through the Colonial District.




Raffles Hotel.


St Joseph's School is now the Singapore Art Museum which had some very good exhibits. Not to mention the bonus nap while watching a movie from the bean bag chairs. ;-)




Strolling home through Little India.


We start Monday with a bus ride to the Botanical Gardens and straight to the amazing, best ever, biggest ever, Orchid Garden.

But first, a humongous leaf.
















Then bus over to Gardens by the Bay to see the Supertrees in the daylight and at night. Supertrees are a metal superstructure covered with vines and air plants, and are solar powered.










But the best is saved for last. Sun-Ling decided we would stay in Little India in hopes that our hotel would be convenient to the Hindu festival of Thaipusam. And it was!

Wikipedia: On the day of the festival, devotees will shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion, notably carrying various types of kavadi (burdens). At its simplest this may entail carrying a pot of milk, but mortification of the flesh by piercing the skin, tongue or cheeks with vel skewers is also common.



This devotee is pierced through his mouth, has small pots of milk hung from his shoulder flesh, and is carrying a pot of milk.




Sun-Ling's reaction.


The devotee usually walks - in Singapore it's a 3km long route - with friends and family.




No piercing for these devotees; their burdens are pots of milk.


Preparations in the Hindu Temple.




Crowds on the route.


These devotees are pulling shrines with ropes attached to hooks in their backs.




Video link click here.









Nearing the end.






Lunch.


And a tailor works just one meter from the route.


And it's quiet in the back streets of the Arab quarter.