Singapore Continued:

Two of the main tourist destinations within the city are Little India and Chinatown, both are supposedly shows of the amazing ethnic diversity of Singapore, and as fits with the singaporean attitude to business, both are really just big markets.

An aside on the attitudes of Singapore- a singaporean friend of Becky's parents asked what the children did at uni, and was very pleased to hear that becky studied biology, as a new biotech firm had opened in Singapore that year. On hearing that Edward studied music, she said "And you allowed this?".

Little india's main joy for me is food. I don't like jewelry, and I'd look a prat in a sari, so thats ther rest ruled out. On my first trip there, after a browse in the markets (where people will give you 'special discount just for you' before you've asked the price) I visited an indian restaurant called Komala Villas, which is a very indian restaurant (rather than the english variety, which was invented in Birmingham along with tikka masala). You get a dish dented in a few places with some dahl, and a little curry-like sauce, possibly some yoghurt, and then select a bread. So thats exactly what I did. On the picture on the menu it took up most of the plate. When it arrived, it took up most of the table. If I had finished that gargantuan meal I would have violated that most sacred rule 'Never eat anything biger than your head'.

The hindu temple on the main street in Little India is a wonderful statue to the variety of hindu faith. I'd be impressed by a hindu that could name just the gods frozen-in-stone on the front. Who is that riding the peacock? Who is that riding the lion? How many arms does he have again? I'm sure I used to know who that is with the 5 faces.
I feel rather ignorant about hindu mythology. Especially so considering I'm on Bali as I type this (although Indian hinduism is very very different to Balinese).

Chinatown is wonderful. From the signs telling about the old sites for the deathhouses, to the myriad shops selling exactly the same things at exactly the same prices, to the hawker centre with its 5 dollar bottles of Tiger, its quite a scene. The architecture is like a mexican wild west set painted by an acid casualty, and you're forever being persued by Indian talors (yes, indian taylors in chinatown- though I saw none in Little India) who will make 'Cheap suit taylor made just for you'. Good to know it would be for me. I'd look stupid in Marlon Brando's. How would I get the butter stains out?

While on my second visit to Chinatown I got quite drunk and chatted to a couple of middle-aged Aussie travellers called Norm and Lyle, two of the friendliest people I've met (certainly the friendliest australians). After an hour or so chatting about various places, they offered me a place to stay in Brisbane (which should be pretty useful) and told me about a few things I had yet to see that were worth a visit in Singapore.

I'm not entirely sure that staying with a middle aged (probably) gay couple I hardly know is the perfect way to spend my time in Oz, but I'm fairly sure its harmless, and its at least very cheap. Just so long as I'm not expected to prostitue myself as payment.

Another destination of mine within Singapore (but off singapore island) was a place called Puala Ubin. I'm guessing Ubin means island, as the names of all singapore island's bastard children seemed to include 'Ubin'. It's a small island, easily navigatable by bicycle, and is extremely pretty. It might weell be a nature reserve- the myriad birds and beasts would attest to that. Cycling round spotting weird wildlife- I think that of all the things I've done, this is what Alan would most enjoy. The hornbill and the big monitor lizard were good highlights. The human highlight was the drinks stop. It was at the house of the headman of Puala Ubin, a 100-year old man who runs all the local's farms on the island and owns an ostrich. We were given 2 bags full of freshly picked Rambutan to take on our way. I felt humbled. Now thats graciousness.

Oh, and a rambutan is very similar to a lychee, but comes in a hairy sack which you have to push into with your thumbs and twist open. I was spotten just trying to tear the thing, and was shown the technique!

Well, thats it from Tweedy for this post. Hopefully there will be more soon.