A weekend at Singapore

Friday (April 7)

Left for Singapore from KL Sentral by train at 10.30 in the evening. Got a bunk. It was pretty tough climbing to the top bunk for the first time.

Had a long chat with Fiona (+ a few bites of puffs and tarts). Snoozed.

The sleep was pretty fine but waking up was a bit of a problem.


Saturday (April 8)

Getting off the bunk was a huge prob!!

Went to the loo at JB and had horrible coughing problems. Got back on the train and off again at Woodlands in Singapore. After getting our passports chopped and all, we went back to the train and headed to Singapore's KTM station.

Got a cab to Geylang (yeah I know it's a red light district, but I've been to Pattaya so Geylang's fine!!) and checked in after breakfast at some market area of the HDB flats. Ooo.. found out that prostitution houses here are indicated with red numbers for their house numbers! Surprisingly, breakfast only cost S$2/-!! For a slice of pork, 2 vege and rice. Drinks weren't that cheap though.

Checking in, I washed up before we headed to the Al-junied MRT station. Took a ride down to Bugis and headed for Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. The librarian in charge was pretty 'chuen' but there was a nice one.

Left for a walk and visited Sts. Peter's and Paul's. Walked a bit more and finally headed back to NAFA. Fiona was trying her best to finish up photostating her notes but the librarian who stayed back was sporting and all. She even walked us to the National Library and Victoria Street.

After a snack at Ms. Clarity's cafe, I realised how horrible my migraine was becoming. Managed to get a nap at some sofa at the ground floor. *phew.

While waiting for Fiona, I headed for a long walk alone and took some nice pictures. Walked till the Esplanade and back. I couldn't find the Stamford Raffles' Statue but without a map, I got back to the library in one piece. :)

Did a bit of shopping at Bugis Junction and had dinner at Bugis Street. Headed back to Geylang by taxi. Saw some rowdy men but all was fine. :)

Slept early. I'm so, so tired.


Sunday (April 9)

Practically crawled out of bed to get the day started. Got a cab to Katong area and started taking pictures from there all the way along Joo Chiat Rd. and reached Koon Seng Rd. Saw red triangles and mistaken that for a 'sign' of a prostitution house. :) Hopped on a bus after breakfast and headed to Lavender MRT station. Switched at City Hall, Dhoby Gaut and got off at China Town.

Met this really nice future tourist guide, Gideon, who shared a lot of stories with us. Walked from Pagoda Street, past Temple Street, along Trengganu Street and Smith Street, crossed South Bridge Road, up Ann Siang Hill, along Ann Siang Road, Club Street and finally stopped for a break at Don's at China Street. Ate the best shepherd's pie and chicken pie ever with cheese cake and choc fudge as dessert. YUM.

And then... we headed to Chin Chew Street, past Nankin Street, Hokkien Street and walked along Pekin Street, crossed the road (no idea what's the name le) to Market Street and past Malacca Street towards Chulia Street and finally reached Boat Quay.

Nice Salvador Dali statue greeted us. The view was nice. :) Took some pics and headed to Raffles MRT towards Somerset where we got off and made a HUGE FREAKING round up Emerald Hill and Carnind Hill. Gee. Getting on the taxi was like going to heaven. I was already too tired to talk properly.

Getting off at the National Library, I managed to get a bit of rest before mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral along Victoria Street. Was okay the mass, a bit weird though.

After mass, I made my 'pilgrimage' to the Merlion statue. Walking along Hill Street, I passed Good Shepherd's Church and the Fire Station. Walked towards a very cool looking bridge, past it and headed to see the Raffles Landing Site. Past some cool museum with a nice restaurant and human like black statues towards Victoria Theatre and Victoria Memorial. Gee, I didn't know I was so famous here. :P Took some pics of Raffles in black and headed towards the Merlion.

It was good seeing Singapore's infamous icon - the real thing - after seeing replicas, pictures, keychains, magnets (you name it) of it for years and years. :) Satisfied I headed to Raffles MRT. My legs were so sore and numb I could hardly move.

But I got off at Bugis and met Fiona at Bugis Junction and did some shopping with her, had dinner of McD's 'fan-tastic', took a bit more pics and finally headed back to the hotel.

Gawd.. my leg hurt so bad with blisters and sore muscles I wanted to bawl and go to sleep. But I took a shower, talked to Fiona a bit and only slept then.

Good day. I never knew I could walk so much. This beats the Malacca trip (the walking, I mean)..

I should seriously consider investing in a pair of sports shoes. :) My feet are starting to look horribly ugly with all the scars. :) Feels 'yeh' though.


Monday (April 10)

Hopped onto a taxi, went to the Singapore KTM station and headed home!!! Oh yeah, the KTM broke down for half an hour at Gemas (some forlorn place in between Johore and N9!!) Met a nice Sri Lankan family. Fiona's hubby brought us for 'lunch' at 5 at Bangsar. :)

And my trips with Fiona officially ended.


Very good trip. Very, very good. :)