All I can say about Singapore is, Wow! On so many levels, wow! The infrastructure is amazing, the entire city is tidy, the skyscrapers are spectacular, the shopping is phenomenal (Shaina ogled over a S$2.7 million necklace, and oddly declined the offer to try it on), and the food is top-notch. All this glam comes at a pretty steep cost, however. To date, the most that we have ever paid for a private room with an attached bath is $17.00. So when the cheapest room we could find was $23.00 we were a little surprised, but then we found out that that was for a dorm bed and we were a little more surprised. But then came the kicker: that price was per person! From that point on we knew that our time in Singapore was going to be quite different from the rest of our trip.
A view from atop the Marina Bay Sands Hotel of the Eye of Singapore
Cool view of the Marina Bay Sands, the Art and Science Museum, and a few of Singapore's skyscrapers
The nightlife is abuzz along the Singapore River
One of the coolest things about Singapore is how cosmopolitan it is. There is a Little India, China Town, Arab Street, the financial district, the marina, and the Orchard shopping district. Then there are all the parks, green areas, zoos, bird sanctuaries, and nature reserves. The acreage of these areas is not all that great when compared to the States, but as a percent of total land area it completely blows us away! There are more than 300 parks, 4 nature reserves, and about 50% of the country is covered in greenery, hence it is often refered to as the Garden City.
Shaina and me in front of the Marina Bay Sands and the Art and Science Museum
The mascot of Singapore, the Merlion, shooting water into Marina Bay with a backdrop of skyscrapers
To finish off our trip to Singapore we were recommended to go to the Colonial District and stop in at Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling. The Singapore Sling was invented around 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon while working at the Long Bar at Raffles. Here is the recipe:
8 parts Gin
4 parts Cherry Brandy
1 part Cointreau
1 part DOM Benedictine
2 parts Grenadine
16 parts Pineapple Juice
6 parts Lemon Juice
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Pour all ingredients into ice-filled shaker. Shake well. Strain into Poco Grande glass. Garnish with pineapple and maraschino cherry.
Shaina and me with our tasty Singapore Slings from the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel
At home or at pretty much any bar in the world this drink can be had with a reasonable price tag attached. At this bar however, two of these drinks and two appetizers will set you back S$102.40!!! Haha! I love Singapore. I really do want to come back here one day with a bit more disposable income. However, until that day I've got to get the heck out of here least I go broke before the end of our trip! See you next in Bali!
Cheers!
Maxell
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Location:Singapore
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