my first day in SINGAPORE
Having arrived at Changi airport at 3.50 pm local time, I first dropped off my luggage at my hotel and immediately afterwards rushed to the CBD on the modern super-clean air-conditioned MRT train (Mass Rapid Transit). Singapore is an amazing city for numerous reasons. Apart from being an economic success story, the atmosphere on the streets is overwhelming. The many ethnic groups from all of Asia and from all corners of the globe make Singapore a bustling global city which has so many faces that it’s merely impossible to see even the most interesting spots in 10 days.
So far, I’ve been walking around the CBD and along the Singapore River for hours where dozens of restaurants line the streets. After my short tour around the CBD I got back on the MRT to go to Bugis, a very interesting neigbhorhood. The Bugis shopping street is a unique experience. Tourists as well as locals are being attracted by hundreds of small shops and snack bars, souvenir shops and much more. Prices are relatively low and the food is amazing!! Fresh fruits of all colors and shapes, chicken, fish, pancakes, sweets….
I tried a Durian pancake and a kind of riceball whose name I don’t remember anymore. The Durian fruit smells ugly but tastes delicious! Later on I sat down at a street corner to eat a bowl of Singapore laksa - a kind of noodle soup with prawns and coconut milk. When the guy at the ”hawker center” asked me wheter I want it “spicy”, I said “yes” which soon turned out to be the wrong answer….
Anyway, I’m looking forward to 9 great days on this gorgeous island less than 90 miles north of the equator.
