Arriving in Singapore is an adventure, especially if you are lugging large surfboard bags around! We find it nigh impossible to find a taxi to take us to our hotel – the information counter recommended that we hire an entire bus for $50SGD – until we bump into a friendly Mr Orr, maxi taxi driver who offers us a lift for $40 SGD.
Duck head for dinner?
It’s hot and sticky, the air is thick with humidity and smog, we can’t wait to get to our hotel for a shower. Mr Orr chats away to us and has a giggle when we tell him where our hotel is; right in the heart of the seedy Geylang Red Light District, with hundreds of knock shops glowing pink and throngs of men everywhere, restaurants with piles of deep fried duck heads on display that intrigue me, very few gringos but lots of places to stop and enjoy an icy cold tiger beer and watch the busy world go by.
Our hotel is pretty basic, we notice a sign at the reception advertising hourly room rates… hmm, dodgy.
Having only two days to explore, we hit the streets and have some fun. A couple of highlights:
Impressive view from the top
The Singapore Flyer ferris wheel ($29SGD) was worth the trip if only to be flabbergasted and amazed at the birds’ eye view of Singapore; a concrete jungle with impressive skyscrapers punching through the ever expanding skyline, very modern architecture and overwhelmingly busy people everywhere.
Sentosa Island was less impressive; an expensive theme park with rather cheesy rides, I was over it the minute I stepped off the skyrail shuttle. The oppressive sticky heat had finally got to me, antagonised by the $38 price of tiger beer! ($5.50 in town)
We enjoyed a bit of culture at the National Museum; $10 entry with wonderfully installed historical tidbits and a free guide on a headset to keep us entertained and informed.
Had a delicious meal in Chinatown, surrounded by markets and tourists on the bargain hunt, thoroughly recommended for fun.
Missed out on my last adventure? Click here
About Imogen Throp