Welcome to Singapore

Hi all! Arrived in Singapore yesterday around 5 pm. The flight was long (13 hours), but I managed to sleep most of the way; can't say the same for husband. As the taxi cab drove up to our "hotel," my fear turned into reality. Keith had warned me that we were staying atop an Aussie pub, but that has turned out to be the least of my worries! It is a total dump. I nearly burst into tears when we tip toed (not walked) into the room. It actually happened when I saw the communal bathroom. And, it's considered a luxery here that we have our own room! We (thank goodness) brought our silk sheets that you put inside sleeping bags to insulate them in cold climates - just for these situations!! However, we actually slept well, despite the drunk Aussie 20 somethings screaming at 4 am.

Anyways, we are staying in an area called "Little India," and because of the culture in the area, Keith thought it would be a nice idea to stay here. To get rich in culture - I think we'll get just that alone being in SE Asia, despite staying in a dump. Nevertheless, it's booming with excitment. Smells of food, merchants selling spices and clothing, traditional music. Just northeast to this area is Chinatown, where we ventured today. So many things to see!!! Our goal was to eat at one of the "hawkers," or food courts. We walked into one in Chinatown Complex and were hit by smells of spices, all kinds of meats (some intriguing and some not, as you can imagine), and heat! Wow, it's so humid here and no AC! Put that with fishy smells, and it can turn one off eating all together. But we had to do it. After finding the only traveller to ask where he ate, among about 200 others, we found ourselves sitting down to a big and cheap meal. Loads of noodles, of course, and dumplings...all for $7! The beer here is another story - much more expensive. The cheapest we've found is $5.50/beer, and not a good one. It's supposed to be cheaper in the other countries we're venturing to.

One nasty, nasty thing that happened. We went to the first floor of this Chinatown Complex that we ate at. This was an area where merchants were selling food and other goods. We walked down one isle - there were huge frogs all crated up. This one lady behind them was killing them with a hammer to the head, and then chopping their heads off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next to them were the turtles in crates - I didnt stay there long enough to find out what happened to them. From isle to isle were fish, eels, meats. Seriously, really gross and disturbing. A PETA nightmare.

Otherwise, Singapore's a pretty big city with skyscrapers and even a "riverwalk" area. IT's big, but very clean. Gum-chewing is illegal and it's very very safe...even the area we're staying in. The people are friendly...2 people today asked us if we needed help getting around. As I said earlier, it's really hot and muggy, but we knew that coming here. Shoot-it's nearly on the equator.

Anyways, we're off to Phuket, Thailand tomorrow and will be in the jungle for at least 5 days/nights. Hopefully, the snakes and other creatures will be more pleasant than where we are staying here. Love to everyone!! - Kate