Welcome to the Jungle

It rains everyday in Singapore. Less than 20 minutes later you are completely dry. Welcome to life on a tropical island close to the equator. Singapore is just as green as I remember it, although there seems to be a lot more traffic and more than a few new buildings.

The first formula 1 night race ever was held in Singapore on Sunday and that is still the buzz. Although the timing was a coincidence, we have reaped the benefits and see a city nation at its best.

Our morning finds us on Arab Street in the Arab Muslim enclave. The smells of delicious cuisine and, to the discerning eye, the finest (and cheapest) pashmina dot the landscape of specialty shops. Rising above the trees, the golden domes of the Sultan Mosque can be seen, and not surprisingly invitingly open to everyone wishing to view the ornate and expansive prayer room. Just remember to take off your shoes, and mini skirts need not apply.

A few blocks south we arrive at the front door of the famous Raffles Hotel. Anybody who is anybody stays at this hotel. It invokes memories of days gone by with dark woods and English properness. As its history in Singapore runs deep, so must your pockets to be a “resident” of this hotel. No worries though, the shopping area and Long Bar where the famous Singapore Sling was invented are open to visitors.

It is hot here. Not just hot, but also wet. 15 minutes walk from the Raffles Hotel to Orchard Road and you feel as if your body is leaking water; a word to the wise, take a taxi almost everywhere you go! The exchange rate is 1.3 $S to 1USD, but everything in this area is relatively close to each other and it should be no more than S$8 to get around.

Singapore is home to Malaysians, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Indians, etc, therefore the variety of food on offer is diverse. Imagine the last time you went to a mall food court, what did you see? Burger King, Wendy’s, Hot Dog on a Stick and your obligatory Asian catch all Chinese restaurant. Try one of the many malls on Orchard Road and you would have the choice of Kappa - Tei Japanese Cuisine, Xin Dai Taiwanese Cuisine, Waan Waan Thai or Padang Corner, or the obligatory Ho Bee Western Food among the many joints available to you. Foodies welcome. Two meals, some dumplings, and approx S$14 later, off to find what seems to be the only internet café in the city and then to the Night Safari.

The only one in the world, the Night Safari is about 30 minutes outside of downtown Singapore. On the night of our visit, we happen to be caught in one of the daily downpours which we assumed would ruin our chance of seeing any animals on our 45 minute tram ride around the park. How wrong we were. Tropical animals from all over the world were front and center as we passed by. The one thing that strikes you immediately, no bars, no fences and some of the animals walk beside the tram like you are not even there. The park has walking paths that allow you to really visit the animals up close and personally, leaving most of us to wonder how people don’t get eaten. A must for families, the Night Safari even in a torrential downpour is a Singapore must see.