singapore, the wrap up

our comments and observations of singapore:

• same as other south east asians, singaporeans are friendly people.
• singapore is clean and modern. it seems like a really nice place to live.
• same as malaysia, singapore is ethnically diverse and english is widely spoken.
• the options for shopping and eating in singapore are endless - it's easy to fill the day doing just that.
• fines, fines, fines…singapore is full of them.
• we are still occasionally seeing footprints on the toilet seats…
• we are still jaywalking…it's habit after 5 months in asia
• we love black pepper and chili crab!
• for the first time in south east asia, scooters are not parked on the sidewalks.
• hawker stalls are the best way to eat in singapore. there are abundant, clean, and the food quality is excellent.
• western fast food restaurants are everywhere. singapore has over 300 mcdonalds, which are open 24 hours a day!
• budget accommodations are far and few between in singapore. rooms are sparsely equipped and bathrooms are shared.
• singapore isn't the easiest destination for budget travelers…because it ain't cheap

what things cost in singapore:

• a/c double room with shared bath at backpackers cozy corner hostel $35.00
• laundry service $6.00 a load
• internet $2.50 per hour
• a short ride on the mrt $1.00
• a large black pepper crab $25.00
• an order of bbq stingray $7.50
• house-made noodles with minced pork and black bean sauce $3.50
• mutton murtabak $5.50
• chicken curry soup $3.50
• fresh squeezed juice $2.50
• kaya toast $0.85
• fried oyster pancake $5.00
• chinese sesame and black bean paste dessert $3.00
• a large tiger beer $7.50
• large bottled water $1.50
• 12 oz diet coke $0.90
• coffee at a local café $1.25
• milk tea $1.00
• 8 treasure chinese tea $3.00
• postcard $0.35
• postage to the usa $0.35
• a buddhist pendant $4.00
• chinese silk house slippers $4.00
• a chiropractic adjustment $75.00

what's next?

tomorrow morning we 're taking a 4 hour flight (our first flight since leaving honolulu)that will take us to chennai, india. farewell, south east asia…hello india!

onward!

alina