I am in Singapore on a mission: to enjoy good food and to look for churches.
Here I am in one of my favorite destinations in Asia. This is the place where I can ride a cab by myself after twelve midnight and dozing off at the backseat is not a problem; and when the cab driver wakes you up you can be assured that your flesh, bone, and belongings are intact, your point of destination is waiting for you, and the driver gives you the exact loose change after you are billed. Caning, anyone? @.@
Coming in and out of Singapore has always been a pleasure to me. It's clean, orderly, and pragmatic. The Manila-Singapore transition from airports to services to fees and security is rather stressful. I always put these two cities in comparison and it makes me upset realizing that in a scale of 1 to 10 Mother Filipinas is at 1.5. Always at the bottom. We are way behind our ASEAN neighbors. Who wants to be associated with a country that is perpetually dragged in a sorrier hole? Oh, well!
Democracy often translates into chaos. And semi-marcoism is better. Way way better.
Singapore welcomes you with the world's best airport in 2011, and the kind of airport that continually sees better days by garnering more than 300 awards since it started its operation in 1981, the Changi International Airport (SIN). Unlike the nearly crumbling NAIA Terminal 1 in Manila, the are no taxes and terminal fees collected and the facilities and building undergo periodic physical upgrades.
Terminal 1: Changi Airport's oldest passenger terminal
A woman's favorite pastime @.@
This seems like a Morrocan rug to me. I super love. And oh, the signs are very idiot-friendly ^;^)))
The moving walkway
This time, I had to pass up on Chinatown, Little India, The Merlion, The Esplanade, Lau Pa Sat, and all the places you see in tourism brochures. Like I said, I am here for the food and the churches. *Wink. Wink*
Fresh-squeezed orange juice and rosti with pink salmon and fresh veggies and... zucchini.
At Marche.
First stop is at a Swiss restaurant in the city center called Marché. This one is for the health-food freaks.
I think I heard a spirit call my name! @.@
This is my sister's favorite restaurant and it made sense to me why she recommended it despite its corrosiveness... to my pocket, that is. The restaurant is set up in such style that would remind you of the Swiss log cabins. There are sheep murals all over the interior with a whiff of Haruki Murakami's A Wild Sheep Chase novel. The hinterlands feel. The food is fresh; just tell the attendant-cum-chef what your craving is, give the Marche billing card for swiping, and he or she will cook your dish right before your eyes. Freshness guaranteed!
Second stop is at a Mediterranean-themed place called Medzs.
I don't find anything special and standout in the place except that it gives you the feel of clear skies and deep blue waters. Not that you dine al-fresco and see the not-so-scenic urban lanes of the city center, but the word Mediterranean just gives you that kind of feeling. Or whatever that means.
My tiny slice of heaven ^;^)))
I honestly do not remember what kind of dish they had for me as it did not leave fine prints in my palate, but this slice of cheesecake led to the forming of my eyes into two fine circles. Heavenly!
Good morning, Singapore. Pasir Ris at 7 a.m.
A trip to Singapore is never complete without an idle time at hawkers. Singapore hawkers serve a fusion of dishes that are "native" to the city state such as Chinese, Malay, and Indian cuisines and are ubiquitous. They are usually found at the bottom floor of condominiums and buildings, and open spaces, be it in the countryside or city center.
Most people who dine at hawkers are office employees or workmen so expect the A-Z customer transition in tables in no time. As a bumming tourist, I take pleasure in chewing my food properly and letting time pass in a devil-may-car lopsided smile.
Now for the churches.
Church hunting begins shortly after sunrise and ends after moonrise.
It doesn't take more than three days to visit ALL the Roman Catholic churches in Singapore, but these churches don't come easy for those who have problems differentiating left from right. Yes, that is me. I guess this is a good chance to thank the late Steve Jobs for his passion in technology; iPhone 4s is indeed not just a luxury, it's a necessity for people on the go!
Most of the churches we went to are not found beside main roads. Here, in this peaceful lion city, you have to explore the narrowest road and the quietest alley if you REALLY want to find what you are looking for. Sounds like a song, huh?
This church-hopping gives me the change to explore the un-touristy side of the city-state and has made me feel at one with the locals and, above all, has given me the chance to slow down and keep in touch with my spirituality. Geeez, that sounds like a movie to me @.@
But seriously, enjoying good food and hunting for churches reminded me of two things: to chew my food properly and to hold my breath for at least three seconds before entering churches. Relish the sweet life, and learn something from semi-marcoism. *Wink*
The best is yet to come!~
