The Highest and Most Happening Spot in Town

Yesterday was not a very exciting day in the life of a tourist, however, it was a nice day for me.  I woke up really late since it was rainy and overcast, then spent till around 3 in the afternoon chatting with a few people, researching airlines and hostels for the months ahead, and just being a bum.  When I finally did get out, I went to Orchard road and did a bit of shopping. I didn’t do too much damage. I bought a pair of shorts that I have been wanting, then when I got them out of the bag today, the button had fallen off, and I cannot find it! What a pain. I guess I will just go and find either a store that sells buttons, or a tailor. I am thinking this will be easier than taking on the crowds and lines at the shopping malls on a Friday.

Tuesday night my Dad and I went to a banana leaf restaurant. It is basically just an Indian restaurant where they serve your food on a banana leaf instead of a plate. Its quite an eco-friendly concept, that in India, has been going on forever-of course then one can worry about the banana trees.  The food was delicious, we ordered way too much, but wow.

I love Indian food.

Yesterday after doing a bit of shopping I went to Chinatown again. This this I was in search of a massage and reflexology clinic. I found one right away,  and one with great prices too! I got about a 50 minutes of foot reflexology, and then a neck and shoulder massage for about 15 USD. Phenomenal. Afterward I met my Dad at Maxwell food center in Chinatown for the “best” chicken and rice in Singapore, according to Anthony Bordain. It was good….the best, who knows.

Last night I met up with a few new friends, Frank, Ben, Andy, Sam, Sam, (all British or South African guys, I have yet to find any girls here my age) etc, at The Prince of Wales, bar and hostel. One of their co workers is in a band so we went to watch. They were all British and quite talented. We threw back a few drinks and had a good time listening to the bands and chatting.  I hope to hang out with them again.

Today I will deal with some logistics: paying for my flights from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, then from Vietiane to Hanoi, etc. Then finding a button for my shorts. It sort of overcast again. Not sure what I will do. I would like to go to Sentosa, but I think since my mom wants to go, I will wait.

20-12-09

Friday was spent doing, like I said, some practical things. I made all my airline reservations, delt with Bank of America/Bank of Inefficiencies, got a new button for my shorts, and did a bit of laundry.

I spent the evening with my new friends. We went to the New Asia Bar, the bar on the Swiss-hotel Stamford’s 71st floor. The views from the top were tremendous, you could see all the way to Indonesia, not exaggerating. We had a few drinks and some snack chips there, all very good. My friend Frank talked about the drink he ordered last time he was there, called the Merlion. This was the drink named after the mythical character that is famous in Singapore, turns out the drink was served in a porcelain glass, shaped like the actual Merlion figure.  After all this, he ends up ordering a different drink called the Stamford Tower.  Ironically enough, this drink ends up also being served in a fruity looking porcelain glass, which resembled the Stamford Tower, the building we were in. Quite funny.

Afterward we went to Lau Pa Sat food center for some Malaysian Satay, simply delicious meat grilled on a stick, served with peanut sauce. After a bit of wandering around and a stop at another bar to listen to some nice guitar music, we made our way back to New Asia Bar to check out the night club scene, which was sadly quite disappointing, laden with old folks trying to dance to techno music. I guess Fridays are not nearly as exciting as the Thursday nights there.

Saturday my Dad and I set off for East Coast Park in hopes of going sailing. In a battle between rain clouds, lightening, thunder, and our sailboat rental, the former won. We ended up sitting at the seaside café and having drinks, after two hours of watching the torrential down pour, we ordered a pizza.  The day was spent watching the rain, the children playing in it, and the back of the taxi’s driver’s head.

Late Saturday night my Mom got into Singapore.

Sunday was spent at the beautiful botanic gardens. Afterward we ate THE best chicken and rice, the actual one were Anthony Bordain ate…my mistake for the last one.  Then Mom and I walk around Chinatown and bought a few things here and there.

Last night we walked around downtown, the river, then to Lau Pa Sat, my signature spot, apparently, where we had some Satay.

I think today Mom and I will go to Little India to start off the day.