Singapore Day Two

Today I visited the CBD, and started the day with a Kopi Ping (iced coffee, very nice) and some duck and rice. I strolled along the coast, past the Merlion and Esplanade, then up to Raffles Hotel. Sadly I was wearing sandals so I didn't bother trying to get in. Singapore Slings taste like mouthwash anyway, my guidebook says. I headed back to the Asian Civilisation museum, in search of entertainment in air-conditioned buildings. Inside were relics of early Singapore, thousands of years ago. A thriving port, and a far cry from the fishing village that Sir Stamford Raffles discovered. Also, there were galleries of artifacts and descriptions of cultures and religions from China to Arabia. A special exhibition talked of a long-lost civilisation in Central China, discovered again in 1986.

I met Alec and Rebecca for lunch, which was lovely - I haven't seen Rebecca in nigh on 7 years, though she hasn't changed. We ate Japanese food and chatted, then Alec and Rebecca headed back to work. Rebecca recommended I head to Little India, which I did. I took in this temple to the left, and a hawker centre with a distinctive odour. Then I jumped back on the MRT and hit Chinatown.

In Chinatown I found myself constantly accosted by tailors, trying to sell me shirts. I don't know what they were saying, I think the shirt I'm in is nice! Stalls offered Chinese lanterns, incense, wind chimes, food, drinks, CDs of Chinese music. I wandered in and out of some smaller alleyways in hunt of some nice photos and a cold drink.

I stumbled upon a couple of temples. The one to the right, under construction, a Buddhist temple and a mosque, all beautifully presented and open to the public. I had to get back to Esplanade for the gig that evening, so I moved on quickly, and walked back towards the CBD.

Some people have described Singapore as sterile, soulless. I haven't found this to be true. It's a thriving, vibrant city, full of life and a myriad of cultures. I'm looking forward to seeing what tomorrow brings - I'm off to the zoo, and some primary rainforest they've put aside for the tourists.