Why the shopping capital of the east? I thought as the flight took off. Why Singapore? I had no real need or desire to shop, at least not endlessly. The depreciated rupee had done little to make me feel good about spending any sort of dollars! As I drowned myself in the novel ‘Eat, Pray Love’, I had over five hours in flight and later five days to justify my choice. An aerial view from the evening flight showcased the bright lights and skyscrapers boldly scattered across the east’s western counterpart. The otherwise bustling city, seemed tranquil and calm from above. Could it really be that peaceful in reality as well? As one lined up in the serpentine queue for the taxi service and witnessed people wait patiently, the air of order and obedience seeped in. With chaos not having an address in Singapore, perhaps such peace was possible!
On the first day, a customary walk down Orchard Street led me to the tourist information centre where I stocked myself with the city map, places to see and all the other handy tourist material available. Meticulous as they are, their pamphlets catered to different audiences; Singapore Guide for shoppers, techies, night life seekers, medical tourism, etc. With all the places of interest accessible by public transport, especially with the convenient EZ-link card, travel within
Singapore is affordable and extremely comfortable. With my priorities in order, I hit the food joints first. Famous for its street food, there is no better place for a foodie, non-vegetarian in particular. Prawns, lobsters, squids and octopuses throng the multi-coloured menus offering diverse cuisines from Thai to Malay to Indonesian. Singaporeans love their food. Authentic restaurants serving world cuisines along with established fast-food chains are scattered throughout the city-state. But if you want to eat like the locals, head to the food courts in malls, business complexes or residential areas.
Here again, while the food courts cater to what seems like a sea of humanity, they are hygienic and orderly.
Satiated post my culinary expedition, I set out to explore the bylanes of Chinatown and the Heritage Centre. As I strolled around, the crowded streets with vendors promising cheap deals, I was reminded of the crowded gullies of Sarojini Nagar market. The spic and span allies are a good place to pick up small souvenirs, while the market offers everything from clothes, accessories to electronics. For those missing home already, the next stop after Chinatown is Little India. From dosa on banana leaves to home-style super markets packed with masalas and mithais , all is available on the main street under the decorated ceiling. The feeling of home away from home may make you forget that you are in Singapore!
A truly cosmopolitan city, it is abound with diverse people, cultures and beliefs. From temples to churches to monasteries, Singapore doesn’t disappoint the pious. Towards the end of Chinatown one can find The Buddhist Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. Painted in red and gold, a hundred Buddhas with different mudras adorn the side walls of the first floor. The temple and museum paint an image of the peaceful Buddhist culture complimented by the aroma of incense sticks in the surrounding air. Ten steps away to the right is the Sri Mariamman Temple. Built in the Dravidian style, it is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple. From the gate onwards it is a riot of colors and splendid idols. A few streets ahead is the Anglican Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, the largest in Singapore. A beautiful colonial structure, it is like an oasis with the crowded fast-moving city beyond it. Save a day for the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (or simply KMSPKS) on the other side of the city. Manicured lawns fill the spaces between the multi-colored structures that are home to different prayer halls such as Hall of Great Strength, Hall of Great Compassion, Pagodas of 10,000 Buddhas and Hall of No Form. Each hall is a beacon of calm, belying the pace of life beyond its compound. All these places of worship evoke a sense of peace and harmony, transcending religious and time boundaries.
As the analogy of the book I was reading crept into my mind, I wondered about love, only to find my answer on the fourth day. The lush green Botanical Gardens, which are an exerciser’s paradise and may be equated to what Central Park means to New York City, are ideal for nature lovers. Perhaps in pulsating cities, such pockets of serenity become imperative. From the Gardens, the Jurong Bird Park (it boasts of housing over five thousand species) is an overwhelming transition where birds dominate the natural space. With a host of shows and interactive activities; take in the colourful experience of the park.
Head to the Singapore Zoo, and discover wildlife like never before. From the rainforests to African savannahs to the Australian outbacks, the zoo recreates them all and leaves you craving for more encounters with nature’s bounty.
The star of the show for me was the Polar bear at the Tundra exhibition; the corpulent animal is graceful in water and playful on land. A perfect show for eager spectators! From the comfort of daylight, brave the animals at night with the Night Safari. In the eerie silence of the night, the symphony of animal sounds has that lingering romance that you will cherish forever!
Take a day to plunge into the city crowd. A walk from Esplanade to the Merlion, across the bay over the bridge will introduce the pulse of the city that is Singapore. If you sit on the bridge in the middle (buy the one dollar wafer ice cream being sold at the beginning of the bridge), you will find the cultural hub, Esplanade on your left, Marina Sands Bay, the casino and shopping center across the bay and the business district with its skyscrapers on the right. With the Merlion constantly throwing out water, it is almost as if it is constantly fuelling this city-state in what seems like its race against time.
This view for me defined what Singapore stands for; there is something in it for everyone.
