Sayonara, Singapore
I woke up on a Singapore Sunday craving some yoga. Although I thought I would practice a lot in Bali, I didn’t really get into the scene there. Plus, I really needed to atone for the intense digestive workouts I was giving my stomach in Singapore! Luckily there was a small, warmly lit studio just around the corner from my hostel. The class was mostly locals and a few expats, and I relished in feeling like I was an everyday Singaporean, just out for my Sunday exercise.
Having worked on my chakras, it was time to get my coffee on. Nearby AEIOU Cafe was serving up avocado milkshakes with espresso shots. I lingered with my laptop until I’d finished the last icy hot drop.
Evening brought me to the Singapore Flyer.
The world’s second highest Ferris wheel, it was a bit out of my budget at US $25, but the views were worth it.
The ride takes about an hour and although you’re up quite high, it moves so slowly it isn’t remotely scary. You can even rent out a whole car and have a sitdown meal if you’re feeling flush!
I followed up my flight with a spicy sambal stingray at a busy hawker center, where the proprietor, seeing that I was alone, took it upon herself to ask a group of girls in Chinese if I could join their table. It was a little pushy but oddly kind!
The next morning I made the Tiramisu Hero my first stop. It is a cat themed tiramisu cafe, so how could I not?
While I was enjoying my wild mint latte and tiramisu, Andrej and another new friend Aimee from the hostel happened in and joined me. Aimee is from the East Bay, California via Brooklyn, and after learning that we are both traveling for the same amount of time after leaving our jobs and both obsessed with food, we became fast friends.
After tiramisu time was over, I explored a different section of the city in search of the darling bookstore BooksActually, featuring a resident cat and a mystery book vending machine!
Then I darted back into the heart of town, for a few pics with the iconic Merlion.
Finally, in one last attempt to eat as much as I could before leaving, I tore into chili crab, the signature fish of Singapore, in Chinatown. A huge mud crab slathered in sweet chili sauce was delivered promptly to me. For about $10 you could pay to have it deshelled, but luckily I was raised in a crab eating family and was up to the task.
Heading back to the hostel that evening, I felt wistful. I had instantly connected with Singapore and although it was probably best for my budget that I was moving on, there was still so much to explore. Little India and Orchard Road and the Botanic Gardens and much much more. It was the first place I had seen on this trip that I could actually imagine living in. The colonial architecture, the stunning skyline, the tasty food around every corner, the melange of Eastern cultures with a Western flair…I hope I have not seen the last of you, Singapore.
