What shall we do today?

27.2.16

We did think about doing the Little India walking tour this morning as we’ve done them in other countries and always enjoyed them.
Trouble is there’s so many options of things to do and all our friends are suggesting different must sees…
In the end we opted to visit Little India ourselves, then a 5km trail at the Macritchie Nature Reserve, then the Gardens by the Bay.

Little India was nice, good atmosphere, nice little stalls and full of never seen before vegetables.

Later we saw a road full of shops stacked up with electrical items, DVD players, stereos, computers, fridges, we wondered if its some kind of recycling.

The shop fronts are decorative and easy to imagine what it would have been like in the days before all the tower blocks and quirky glass buildings.

The smell of spicy food was so mouthwatering that we opted for the busiest eatery, Ghandis.
One side is take away, the other is sit down.
We sat for awhile, then asked some fellow foreigners who were eating how it all works and they said they will come with trays and that it’s very good.

A tray each arrived, with lentil and spinach, lentil & courgette and a poppadom. Another man came with a tray of options, we selected 2 chicken curries and a king prawn curry.
Another man came with rice, and another came with 2 large jugs, one very spicy and one not so spicy sauces.

John was in his element. I wasn’t keen, too spicy for me and the chicken had shards of bone. I was scared I would swallow one and need emergency stomach surgery or break my teeth.
The king prawns were just too messy and I gave up. John was stuffed and happy as he had all my leftovers.
Looking around most people were eating with their hands and I was bothered by my red fingers from peeling a prawn.

We got the underground to Marymount and when we got off there was just a huge triple carriageway.
But sure enough by the Old People Home was the Macritchie Reservoir lake and a selection of trails.
First stop was to get a drink and water for the walk as its very hot.
We have a new addiction, mango and peach juice, amazing.

We opted for a nice 4.4 km gentle stroll and took the treetops trail.

After a while John was wondering if it was circular or the same route back, we didn’t mind either way as we were enjoying the sounds and the occasional creature, although some we didn’t want to see.
I was convinced the walk was called Treetop Walk and would be a total of 4.4km.
John was convinced Tree Top is the bridge and would take 4.4km to get to.

After an hour or so we reached the bridge.
Treetop Bridge, John was right.
There were signs everywhere saying no turning back, so not walking past a very intimidating looking monkey to cross the bridge wasn’t an option.

To make it more scary the bridge wobbles, but the views were worth it

Then after a million steps the path evened out again and the sign said 5 km to the tower and exit. The map confirmed that we were in the middle of the reserve and no choice but to go that way!

It was very nice though, saw a monitor lizard, just a baby compared to yesterdays, and so many lovely birds, butterflies, really noisy cicada’s, loads of people of all nationalities running and exercising and these young lads caught a massive fish.

We passed a golf course and then followed the lake all the way back to the cafe for well earned mango & peach juice. A total of 14 km.
(included first cafe trip and from and to underground)
Was fab though and really glad we did it.

We got the underground to Bayfront to see the Garden in the Bay.
Its beautiful, huge with amazing ‘trees’ which are the main focal point and can be seen from a long way away.

At 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm they have a light show to music.

We walked around the gardens for a while, so beautifully landscaped and a great family atmosphere.

There are also some huge conservatories but we didn’t have time before closing (or any leg muscles left!) We bought a drink and sat on the grass and waited for the light show.
It was 10 minutes long and was fabulous.

So glad we saw it.

We made our way back to Geylang Road. The first time we’ve explored the road beyond where we’re staying.
Its huge, lots of supermarkets, eateries, but very much a frog and entrails area.

We did manage to find somewhere that had note appetising meals, we had sweet & sour pork, red pork curry and pineapple rice.
And beer – they have the company rep girls in most establishments that you pay separately. They had them in Vietnam too, skimpily clad and attractive. Ours has probably been doing the job for 30 years or more but was still wearing the same outfit.

John thoroughly enjoyed his curry, said it was the best of the whole trip. ( I’m sure I’ve heard this many times)

An old man appeared at the next table and slammed his bag down. He was very drunk and shouting at aforementioned ‘beer girl’ No idea what it was about although the ‘f’ word seems universal.
He went off, came back and then was threatening another staff member.

Time to leave and pick our way through the street vendors selling various blue tablets, past the very explicit sex shops and dodge the girls in doorways.
No one could ever say we don’t see all aspects of life on our travels.

John had his hair cut on the way back. They were obviously accumulating all the black hair on the floor for a special occasion.

Night night Singapore with your squeaky clean, perfectly running, and on time underground, your continuous requests for feedback on customer service and Government policies, your boards telling us what amazing project is coming next and your constant do this, don’t do that tannoys and signs.

And the seedier side of course.. I’ve a feeling that’s going to stick in our minds for many years.

It’s been wonderful.