Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Day 131: Singapore
October 4:
Woke at a decent hour despite not getting much sleep overnight, to discover at breakfast that the jet lag totally hit me there and then... so headed back to bed for another hour.
(Singapore is two hours behind Sydney, six ahead of Spain, seven ahead of London.)
In the morning, I went to two synagogues (right near each other) to celebrate Jewish New Year. Like last night, I was able to also get a yummy lunchtime meal, with internationals and members of the congregation - far more people attended today than last night.
Then in the very hot, humid weather (typical Singapore), I took a walk along Orchard Road and popped into a number of the shopping centres, but decided that I didn't really need anything and well, my suitcase is full enough!
Also stopped in at the Tourist Info Centre to book a city tour for tomorrow.
Caught the train (MRT) down to Chinatown and had a brief look around at the local food and arts/crafts stalls, renovated chinese terraces, a small tea house and the Sri Mariamman Temple (Hindu) - which was very interesting.
Caught a taxi back to the hotel to catch a connecting bus to the zoo, only to discover that I'd lost my camera, and that it was most likely still in the taxi. Due to a number of miracles and luck on my side (note, the lady in the tourist office who booked my tour said my numbers were good and I had luck on my side... I never believe in superstitions but this was a miracle!)... I managed to track down the taxi driver, and within half an hour it was back in my possession. Nice to know some people in Singapore are very honest and friendly! Long story about the exact details... that's a story for me to tell you in person!
Headed to the Night Safari near Singapore Zoo. Did the three walking trails, tram ride and saw the 'Creatures of the Night' show too. Got to see lots of animals in their natural environment... and in the dark too!
Saw tigers, leopards, lions, giraffes, native animals, bats, deer, otters, elephants, hippos, rhinos, racoons and more.
Returned by shuttle bus to the hotel. Jet lag was still in force so found it hard to go to sleep.
----------
Heard the Wests Tigers won the NRL Grand Final. Well done!
Woke at a decent hour despite not getting much sleep overnight, to discover at breakfast that the jet lag totally hit me there and then... so headed back to bed for another hour.
(Singapore is two hours behind Sydney, six ahead of Spain, seven ahead of London.)
In the morning, I went to two synagogues (right near each other) to celebrate Jewish New Year. Like last night, I was able to also get a yummy lunchtime meal, with internationals and members of the congregation - far more people attended today than last night.
Then in the very hot, humid weather (typical Singapore), I took a walk along Orchard Road and popped into a number of the shopping centres, but decided that I didn't really need anything and well, my suitcase is full enough!
Also stopped in at the Tourist Info Centre to book a city tour for tomorrow.
Caught the train (MRT) down to Chinatown and had a brief look around at the local food and arts/crafts stalls, renovated chinese terraces, a small tea house and the Sri Mariamman Temple (Hindu) - which was very interesting.
Caught a taxi back to the hotel to catch a connecting bus to the zoo, only to discover that I'd lost my camera, and that it was most likely still in the taxi. Due to a number of miracles and luck on my side (note, the lady in the tourist office who booked my tour said my numbers were good and I had luck on my side... I never believe in superstitions but this was a miracle!)... I managed to track down the taxi driver, and within half an hour it was back in my possession. Nice to know some people in Singapore are very honest and friendly! Long story about the exact details... that's a story for me to tell you in person!
Headed to the Night Safari near Singapore Zoo. Did the three walking trails, tram ride and saw the 'Creatures of the Night' show too. Got to see lots of animals in their natural environment... and in the dark too!
Saw tigers, leopards, lions, giraffes, native animals, bats, deer, otters, elephants, hippos, rhinos, racoons and more.
Returned by shuttle bus to the hotel. Jet lag was still in force so found it hard to go to sleep.
----------
Heard the Wests Tigers won the NRL Grand Final. Well done!
# posted by mishij @ 7:26 AM 
