My first glimpse of Singapore was from the airplane window while flying low over the bay in an early morning fog. I looked down and saw hundreds of boats at anchor, their lights softly glowing in the haze. By the time we landed the sun had come up, but everything was still quite gray. I was expecting Singapore to be a good introductory city, where I would be out of my comfort zone but still feel very far away from home. My expectations were only partially met though. I did feel far from home, but the city is so clean and well planned that I felt more at ease than in any other city (including the U.S.). Singapore blends beautifully restored Chinese and colonial buildings with shiny new visions of the future. And if you love buttered toast, the city is a mecca. Really. I bought a 3-day MRT (mass rapid transit) pass and set out exploring.
Alright, this isn’t in Singapore, but it is a nice goodbye picture of me and my mammy.No durians.The subway system amazed me with its simplicity and thoughtfullness. The primary lines run N-S, E-W, and in a loop, providing access to just about everywhere worth going in the city. Almost every stop is designed the same, with opposite directions on opposite sides of a single room, and clear signs everywhere. There is no way to be on the wrong side of a track. The longest I had to wait for a train was 4 or 5 minutes. I never saw any traffic in the city, and the trains were generally very full (good thing!).
I stayed in the area of the city called Kampong Glam, which is the Muslim section. The four pictures above are very representative of the network of streets surrounding the hostel. The mosque is the biggest and most important in Singapore, and the stores primarily sold textiles. The air smelled like spices and incense.
While wandering around Chinatown (which in Singapore’s case is also the main financial hub) I came across the Thian Hock Keng Temple. Established in 1839, it is the oldest and one of the most important Taoist and Buddhist temples in Singapore. The main temple is dedicated to Mazu, the Taoist goddess of protecting sailors. The other is dedicated to Kuan Yin, a bodhisattva of mercy. The intricacy of the carving and maintenance of the colorful paint was unparalleled. But then again,
That evening I went to Marina Bay, home to two huge dome structures. One is a “cloud forest” and the other is a botanical garden. The whole area is also surrounded by various themed gardens. I took a bunch of pictures, but after night fell, the gardens really came to life. The botanical garden was peaceful and spectacular, with sculptures and lights dispersed throughout different “ecosystems”.
Also located at Marina Bay are the iconic (and really damn cool) Marina Bay Sands hotel (top 3 photos) and the Supertree Grove. There were maybe 10 “trees” total, and that is in fact a ramp connecting a number of them. Also, the big surf board shaped structure on top of the three hotel buildings (or big fish as Singaporeans call it) is surfaced with yet another botanical garden.
What you saw in Singapore alone is worth a lifetime of memories! The human spirit and its need to express itself in beauty is a phenomenal thing! You certainly found beauty in Singapore; I suspect you will continue to find beauty in many forms and in many unexpected places. Thanks for sharing your travels Per – it’s an adventure for us all!
XO
Per, your photos give real meaning to “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Simply mesmerizing!
This is only the beginning of a unique experience for all of us. Can’t wait for your next post! We love you, Dad
Hi Per! Your picture forced me to look up “Durian” which is a native fruit with a very strong fragrance. From Wikipedia – “The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage. The persistence of its odor, which may linger for several days, has led to the fruit’s banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia.” I guess we can see why it is banned from public transportation. It looks like you are off to a great start with your trip. What and amazing experience. I can’t think of a more deserving individual.
So very impressed with the landscape and architecture of the city. Great post, I appreciate the small bit about the history of that beautiful temple. Looking forward to the next one! Stay safe out there homie
potravels 
So incredible!! Those botanical gardens are unreal. Guess I’ve gotta add Singapore to my travel list now 🙂
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What you saw in Singapore alone is worth a lifetime of memories! The human spirit and its need to express itself in beauty is a phenomenal thing! You certainly found beauty in Singapore; I suspect you will continue to find beauty in many forms and in many unexpected places. Thanks for sharing your travels Per – it’s an adventure for us all!
XO
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Per, your photos give real meaning to “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Simply mesmerizing!
This is only the beginning of a unique experience for all of us. Can’t wait for your next post! We love you, Dad
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Amazing! Breathtaking! Beautiful! and so much more Per!
You never disappoint.
We accompany you spiritually on your journey
of discovery.
Pepere
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Hi Per! Your picture forced me to look up “Durian” which is a native fruit with a very strong fragrance. From Wikipedia – “The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage. The persistence of its odor, which may linger for several days, has led to the fruit’s banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia.” I guess we can see why it is banned from public transportation. It looks like you are off to a great start with your trip. What and amazing experience. I can’t think of a more deserving individual.
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So very impressed with the landscape and architecture of the city. Great post, I appreciate the small bit about the history of that beautiful temple. Looking forward to the next one! Stay safe out there homie
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These pictures are stunning! So happy you are getting to explore the world!
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