I ended up spending a week in Singapore waiting for my Vietnam visa. The first day I was going to drop my passport off at the embassy, it was a public holiday, but I ended up getting my visa in time. Singapore was a fun city, but since they’re known for their shopping and eating (both of which are expensive hobbies in this city), it wasn’t the easiest city to be stranded in. Here are a few things I did to occupy the long days in an expensive city (while not doing any of the many things you shouldn’t do Read more…

This morning, I used the pay phone to call another hostel, checked out, and high-tailed it for the Muslim Quarter. I took the MRT to Bugis station and then walked in the wrong direction for 20 minutes. I almost walked all the way to the city center! So I bused back to were I started, walked for 5 minutes in the other direction, circled the neighborhood twice and finally arrived. The Muslim Quarter is much better than being out east. It’s much more central to sights, and feels way safer. Humorously, I’m staying on Arab Street between Baghdad Rd and Read more…

This morning after breakfast, I really drug my feet packing up my bag and checking out. It’s been so great staying in nicer hotels, with a room to myself. Tonight, it’s back to hosteling. I went to the Asian Civilization Museum with a few of the California girls who are still here. We had drinks and a light lunch on the Quay, before heading to Little India. After relaxing for a while back at the hotel, we took the MRT back to Clarke Quay for dinner. It was really nice having them to hang out with. After dinner, we took Read more…

After several relaxing days in Melaka, it was off to Singapore. Goodbye Malaysia and cheap prices! Hello Singapore, land of exorbitant prices! After we arrived, we took the MRT (Singapore metro) out to the Singapore Zoo. Since I’ll be here for a week, I bought a metro EZ-card, like I did in Tokyo, so I don’t have to buy single trip tickets every time. Anyway, the zoo was really cool, and the night safari was amazing! I had never been to a night zoo before. It’s a really great concept. We took a train and then walked around the night Read more…