Tabitha Perkins: Chapter 1: Singpore

City/Country- Singapore
Officially the Republic of Singapore, an island city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Singapore meaning Lion City in Malay.

Interesting Facts: Singapore is the 5th wealthiest country in the world.
Singapore was ranked the 3rd most expensive place to live in Asia (after Osaka and Tokyo).
Singapore is diverse with English, Malay, Tamil, and Chinese being the official languages.

You might know Singapore for it's reputation as being the cleanest city in the world. I don't know if I'd take it that far but it is really clean. Chewing gum really is illegal there and they do not sell it anywhere. As of 2004, only THERAPEUTIC gum is allowed within the country. I get a migraine if I don't chew gum, think I could get a doctors note?

Duration of Stay-2 days/3 nights
Transportation- Flew from TPE to SIN via airasia. We took the beesy bus from the airport. Within the city, we walked, took metro and buses.
Hostel- The InnCrowd Backpackers' Hostel Singapore
-Price per night-$14
-The mixed dorm wasn't my favorite, but the environment/location (little india) were great.

Having spent Christmas in a Buddhist country, I was excited to spot festive decorations all across Singapore.

Our transportation from the airport. Documenting random stuff like this for future travelers. There's no way I'll remember all this when one of you asks me...someone is bound to ask.

Asia is great, who else puts drinks in cute plastic bags with a straw?

I need Tanier's note on what this building is. Monastery of some sort. I can not remember, but it's Aladdin-esque!

Tanier and I laying INSIDE of....

....this GIANT Christmas Tree capturing a photo of......

...this amazing ceiling. Is it me or does this the inside of this tree remind you of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when Charlie and his Grandpa burp bubbly?

Singapore is home to the largest fountain in the world. They didn't have all of it turned on for the day, but we made our wishes anyway. I can't tell you what I wished for (because I forgot), but I have a feeling they'll all come true soon.

Water supposedly pours down from this giant elevated circle.

Strongest memory: jumping up to get in between this birds legs and slamming my head on it's giant metal REAR. Why do I feel the need to be the prop girl? This bird is so ugly and I still hate it.

The Merlion is an imaginary creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. Its name combines "mer" meaning the sea and "lion". The Tourism Board in Singapore created this logo and it has become an emblem/symbol for the country.

My ultimate dream job would be working for the Mandarin Oriental. I moved to DC hoping to work for this 5 star hotel. I applied not once, but probably a dozen times before I looked elsewhere for employment. However, had they called me back I would likely still be working there and not on this sweet vacation. So it all works out. However, if anyone from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel called me tomorrow and offered me a job. I'd move anywhere. No questions asked. There's one under construction in Taipei...just saying. Not sure how I became so obsessed, but I'm intrigued by their BEAUTIFUL venues/restaurants/hotels. Check out the photos in their galleries under the hotel links here and tell me if you don't fall in love too.

My favorite meal. This bamboo leaf covered with various vegetarian indian food was divine. Don't forget it's custom to shake hands and eat with your RIGHT hand (no utensils), because your LEFT hand is used to wipe! I don't know what it's like in India, but if it's anything like Asia there is NO TP in public bathrooms...nor is there soap. So if you want to make friends. eat and shake with your right hand.

Funniest moment-when Tyson looked down and realized he'd walked into bird $#!&. Lucky him. It's not like the bird aimed AT his head, he WALKED into it...what are the odds of that? Maybe the bird was too quick on the draw. Oh Tyson...thank you. I laughed for at least 3 days.

Street performers-acrobats. These girls were AMAZING, but I wanted to buy them a juicy hamburger. At some point it's a hazard to have your hips stick out that far. They'll poke your eye out.

Tanier, the queen of Jump Shots! I miss this girl already. We were inseparable for over 7 months (first by force, then by choice).

Jump Shot on Sentosa Island. What a beautiful day, if only I'd worn sunscreen.

Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island. Go there. It was a perfect escape from the city.

Doesn't this chicken look disgusting? It wasn't. It was delicious. I'm putting this up to validate that I'm not THAT high maintenance with meat. This is a picture of edible food that didn't make me dry heave. Remember this for when you see what we ate in Hong Kong.