"Singapore -- A Mix of Cultures" Singapore by Ewingjr98

Singapore is an amazing city in many regards. Despite the country's small size, it is an economic powerhouse in Asia. It has a diverse blend of cultures (English, Chinese, Malay, and Indian) that seem able to peacefully coexist as one. Along with the cultures, the food is also unique and flavorful. Singapore's transportation systems are top quality, and this must be the cleanest city in the world!

Merlion and the Financial District

On 18 May, we arrived at Singapore airport from Hong Kong. We took the MRT (subway) to City Hall MRT, and walked past the Raffles Hotel to our hotel, the Metropole (US$60 per night). After checking in, we stopped for a tasty lunch of chicken rice on Seah Street, just out the front door of our hotel.

We began sightseeing with a walk through Colonial Singapore to Raffles Landing Site at the River. We saw the Padang, St. Andrew's Cathedral, City Hall, Supreme Court and the Victoria Theater. Upon our arrival at the Singapore River, we took a 30-minute boat tour of Boat Quay, Clark Quay, Riverfront, and the Merlion. After returning from the boat trip, we walked to the War Memorial, seeing the Lim Bo Seng Memorial along the way.

Next we took a taxi to Little India. We got out of the taxi at Buffalo Road and walked through town soaking in the unusual sights & smells. We stopped briefly at Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, then walked down Veersamy Road heading toward Arab Street.

We crossed the Rochor Canal at Weld Road, which becomes Arab Street. We walked past the Muslim Cemetery and stopped at the Sultan Mosque and Bussorah Street. On our to Bugis MRT, we stopped at the shopping center under the Golden Landmark Hotel, and we enjoyed a quick bite of Singapore's famous Kaya Toast.

We then took the MRT to our Hotel to freshen up, then we walked down North Bridge Road to Boat Quay for dinner. We had a very good dinner at an Indonesian restaurant called the Sundanese Restaurant.

Looking for some good nightlife, we wandered around Boat Quay, then headed to Clarke Quay, where we found a good bar to grab a few beers. Next we went to Tanjong Pagar, which was full of Japanese-style entertainments. Later we went to a club called DBL-O on Robertson Walk for a few hours. We took a taxi back to the hotel around 2 am.

On 19 May, we slept in, then took a taxi to Chinatown. Our first stop was lunch on South Bridge Road. Then we did a brief walking tour of Chinatown center. Later in the afternoon, we took the MRT to Dhoby Ghaut & we walked down Orchard Road. As evening approached, we returned to the hotel to freshen up prior to dinner.

We had dinner at Takashimaya Shopping Center on Orchard Road. We ate at the Crystal Jade Restaurant for US$200 for shark fin soup, beef, pork, durian pudding, etc.

After dinner we went to China Jump at CHIJMES, then One Fullerton and Tanjong Pagar.

Sunset over the Victoria Theater

On 20 May, my friend DW flew back to Seoul, so I was off to explore Singapore on my own! I walked to the Johor Bahru bus station at the corner of Queen and Bugis Streets. After the hour-long bus ride we went through border patrol in Singapore and over the causeway to JB, Malaysia!

After a full day in JB, I caught a bus back to Singapore. This bus dropped me off at the border crossing, so I took a taxi to the nearest MRT station at Marsiling. There, I stopped at a grocery store for dragonfruit, orange juice, and apples, then took the MRT back to downtown Singapore.

That night, I met my friend and college buddy, Troy, at my hotel then we proceeded to Newton Station food court for a huge dinner(US$80)! After dinner, Troy and I went to CHIJMES and an Irish Pub called Father Flannigan's which was near my hotel and a short walk back to the room for bed...

On 21 May, I slept in, checked out, and took the MRT to the airport. After a good lunch, I flew to Bangkok on a 1455 flight on Cathay Pacific.