Posted by Liberty on Mar 16, '07 6:59 PM for everyone
Traveling South Asia this year seemed like a fractured reality at times. Surreal at some point. Nevertheless, it was a life altering experience worth going through.
Although Narita, Japan was the first leg of our trip, we did not stay there. Our first stop was Singapore. No, I did not have that famous Singapore sling shot drink so I can honestly say I was sober for the most part of my brief affair with this beautiful city. Although I moved about in this city with a gait of somebody with a bad case of hang-over, it was because of that monstrous jet-lag which kept me walking in that particular way, and not some exotic alcoholic concoction.
We had only two days and a night there so I with all my might, I did not let the gods of jet-lag gobbled up my short trip there. As soon as we checked in our hotel, I told my husband, "let's go". I have a date with Merlion. One look at his face and I knew he did not know what I was talking about.
Merlion, the mascot of Singapore made a big impression on me when we arrived at Singapore’s airport. I told my husband we needed to stay in a hotel where we would it would be easy to check-out the this intriguing statue of a huge, regal looking lion spitting into the oblivion, whose image show on many postcards and posters bedecking many areas of the airport.
Although my husband drew a deep whistle (but held under breath) when we learned the price of my curiosity, he let a big wow when our taxi pulled into the Fullerton Hotel. Right in the center of Singapore's financial and art district, this hotel is an impressive sight.
Built in 1928, with its decadent neo-classical architecture it is hard to imagine that it used to be their General Post Office! Instead of people moving in and out and around this structure, imagine mails and packages being sorted and shipped in and out of there! And with understated comfort and elegance, a warm Asian hospitality greets and pampers you throughout your stay there.
And from our room balcony, a commanding view of the harbor, the city, and the Merlion awaited us.
It was so tempting to succumb to the sleepiness we both were feeling, but with only two days to explore this island city, we decided (actually I decided) we better get moving.
Western modernity with eastern traditions best describes this vibrant city. First world urban discipline and designs are evident in most erected structures in its modern landscape. There seem to be some very strict religious adherence to peace and order.
It was ultra clean everywhere. Traffic was smooth though congested in some areas we passed. Although we found ourselves dodging some cars and motorcycles later, there seemed to be a harmonious relationship between automobiles and pedestrians. It was impressive.
Not wanting to be too obvious too early about my shopping agenda, I suggested to my husband that our first day should be spent getting to know the arts and some history of this country. This was an easily accomplished goal since our hotel is very near the Asian Civilization Museum, the Victoria Theater, the Concert Hall and a gorgeous park where we sat down later on to catch our breath and smelled the flowers!
Flowers! Oh my! Singapore seems to be bursting in its seams with flowers. Exotic flowers. Unique flowers. Flower power everywhere. I was not able to take as much pictures as I wanted because my lovely husband was beginning to tease I was taking too much pictures. Acting too much of a tourist, he says of me!
He finds it odd and funny that sometimes he finds me taking pictures even of wood slates and shavings around some potted plants at the airport! I told him the varying colors of the wood chips fascinated me and I needed to capture it. Plus of course I wanted pictures for my blogging. I didn't tell him that because he might say again I was always thinking of blogging!!! Ha-ha-ha.
With the image of the Merlion deeply embedded into my retinas by now, I was so ready to cast my views on something else almost as notable. For there lies across the Merlion is the Orchard Road, the citys main shopping belt! With arts and cultures already in the bag, it was time to line my purse with some shopping artifacts! 
But alas, the prospect of better bargains in India haunted me. I found myself saying, "I could probably get this cheaper in India" the whole time! I ended up not buying anything. But even if my shopping bag proved empty at the end of the day, my belly did not go hungry.
Aside from being a melting pot of east and west, Singapore is also a food Mecca! And they have open areas where they sell food and you can sit down on tables with umbrellas. Almost similar to french open cafes but the Singaporeans are so friendly and smiley as you sit yourself amongst them you know instantly you're not in Paris. Hah!
Just like any first meetings, sometimes you think something looks odd.But finding what was pleasant and pleasurable to the palate was almost instantaneous as you decide to have more faith and be more adventurous. I got served a hot curry to die for, a cool salad and jasmine rice with tandoori chicken and lakhsa soup, a popular favorite, I found out later. All the time I was in Asia, I kept dreaming of this wonderful soup from Singapore. 
But my husband couldn't help but laugh at me coz it seemed to him I couldn't wait for India. My choice of food did not escape his close scrutiny. "When it comes to food honey, I let my nose do the hunting".For me, what smells good usually ends being good to the taste. So I let my nose do the walking.
With the mention of the word India, I remembered we needed to move on to Serangoon Road, where they have their Little India. Hindu temples dot some streets that wind up into shopping alleys. It is amazing that whatever language you speak, you can trust the tongue of commerce to prevail when English breaks down or you hear Chinese and Hindu being spoken to you at the same time. An upward finger I wagged told them I did not like the price they were giving me and they had to come down. 
But like earlier, the ghosts of real India were following me. I kept thinking I could get things cheaper in India and I should just wait.Luxurious bolts of silk and batik danced before me. Hindu temples swirled with the lines of Chinese temples. Muslim mosques dot the sky as the streets are lined with exotic, tropical orchids.
While I did not succumb to the pangs of commercialism just yet, my heart and senses were filled to the brim. Singapore was a fantastic experience. It is fascinating to see so many
layers of life peeling away in front of you.
or a sense of peace invoked by the beautiful temples around 
the city or just the splendor and calm of a beautiful city and harbor landscape viewed from one's balcony, Singapore was a city worth visiting, however briefly. And with my chosen sobriety, I think the good memories will last me longer.
Singapore was intoxicating just the same. I wasn't ready to give her up when we did. I consoled myself by the knowledge that a great mystery or adventure waits. India here I come...
See below for some more pictures from Singapore.
Isn't this lantern gorgeous? "But you see that even back home", my husband quips. And to that I say, "But this one I see in Singapore!"
Even what's old and withering away can be beautiful. An old window pane of a house I saw at Little India. "Wait, honey, wait". I need to take a picture of her.
And life gets reborn everyday. "Morning tears" suspended from the beak of a Bird's Paradise flower. "My wife is such a hopeless romantic". "And that's why you are so in love with me, you fool", I retort back.
Different faces of faith. Inside a Taoist temple.
Am I in India already? Getting closer to Serangoon Road.
Beautiful. "Honey, are you sure it's okay to take its picture?" "I made sure I uttered some respects before I clicked away on my camera. I think it's okay."
Commune of gods. "Honey, I think you should take a picture of this one", my husband surprisingly said. "Did you ask for the god's permission?", I teased. "yes, I did", he confidently answered. The gods must have answered my prayer for a more cooperative husband today.
How's this scroll for the last picture?
THE END
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