December 10th, 2009
Hob Nobbing with Oil Sheiks in Singapore
In Singapore, the streets are wide, devoid of constant honking, and sparkling clean. Pedestrians and cars alike all paid attention to crossing signals and traffic lights. English is spoken everywhere. If it wasn’t for the muggy heat that makes you think you’re in a hot shower all day, I would have sworn I was back in Australia.
Singapore does have the typical Malaysian cultural cuisine and influences, but it’s more like a five star deluxe property of Southeastern Asia, or maybe it just felt that way because I was staying in a Singapore boutique hotel. I’ve enjoyed three nights of absolute luxury. Or was it because I found myself in the middle of the APEC action. When I arrived in Singapore, I saw banners welcoming the delegates from the 2009 APEC Convention. APEC stands for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and leaders from around the world, including President Obama were all in the city for the event!
If I’ve learned anything from my time near the equator, it was to take things slow. My first day, I got oriented and saw the Fountain of Wealth, the Padang, the large Merlion Statue and Fort Canning. After all that, I headed back to my hotel for a little nap. Night time is when Singapore comes alive and shines, literally shines with all the beautiful lights shimmering on the water. I took a pre-dinner stroll down the river to Clarke Quay and watched the fashionable and the rich toast cocktail glasses and champagne flutes at the waterfront restaurants outdoor patios.
My last day in Singapore, I hit up the ethnic neighborhoods, I walked through the temples of Chinatown and had a marvelous meal in one of the food stalls, I got to sample fried carrot cake, and shaved ice dessert with strawberry and milk. Very delightful. Then I hit Little India and bought a few sari’s and was still too full from Chinatown to try any of the India food, which smelled and looked delicious.
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