Embarking on a cultural adventure, I planned to explore Singapore’s Chinatown and Orchard Road today. My day began a bit later, around 10 am, with a modest breakfast at the hostel. Engaging in conversation, I met James, a 28-year-old Australian entrepreneur in architecture, currently on a Southeast Asia journey en route to Vietnam. His primary goal, however, was to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a friend in Singapore. It seemed many backpackers shared a similar motive for being in Asia during this time. Inviting James to join Yen and me on our visit to Chinatown, I was delighted when he agreed to accompany us.
Back in the Netherlands, things were taking an unexpected turn. This morning, I discovered that my mother had created her own Facebook account, filling my Facebook wall with personal messages. Fortunately, she quickly grasped the nuances of private messages—probably with a bit of help from one of my brothers, a hilarious realization.
Singapore’s Chinatown
Around 11:30 am, James, Yen, and I departed from the hostel, opting for a cab to reach Chinatown. A mere 15 minutes later, we arrived, and the vibrant atmosphere instantly captured my heart. As we traversed Chinatown, I couldn’t help but notice the array of decorations adorning the streets—orange horses, paper circles, and countless Chinese lanterns, all heralding the upcoming Chinese New Year set to commence on January 31, 2014. Being aware that the Chinese zodiac for 2014 was the Year of the Horse, coinciding with my own Chinese zodiac, added a serendipitous layer to this journey around the world.
We ventured into various shops and even took a detour to visit a Hindu temple, where a nominal fee was charged for photography. While the temple wasn’t particularly picturesque, it offered a brief yet interesting glimpse. Continuing our stroll through Chinatown, we eventually arrived at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.
Later on, Yen led us to a restaurant where we savored delectable Chinese dishes—fried dumplings, sprouts, and some nasi goreng. In a swift 10 minutes, the flavorful plates were placed before us. Unfortunately, the hygiene in the restaurant’s toilets left much to be desired, with the room marred by vomit and litter, a sight mirrored in the streets of Chinatown.
Moving on, we ascended to a platform that offered a panoramic view of the entire avenue. As we soaked in the scenery, we took some final pictures of the vibrant decorations before heading to our next destination: Orchard Road.
Orchard Road
Orchard Road stands as Singapore’s premier shopping thoroughfare, stretching over two kilometers and adorned with numerous upscale shopping malls. It’s truly a spectacle, reminiscent of what one might envision New York to be.
After an extensive walk, we sought out a restroom and found one conveniently located within the tourist information center. In addition to a brief break, we gathered tourist information and received directions. James expressed an interest in visiting the National Museum of Singapore and the National Library. I was open to anything; nothing could diminish the wonderful experience of the day. Every moment had the potential to impress me.
Equipped with public transport details, we boarded a bus, and within ten minutes, we reached our designated stop. Yen, having lived in Singapore for over a year, assumed the role of our tour guide. Upon arrival, however, she had some uncertainty about the directions, leading us to embark on an unplanned 20-minute walk.
The Secret Park and Art Exhibition
Finally, we reached an incredible park, and even Yen, a seasoned Singaporean, found something new to discover. In the park, we observed professional photographers capturing images of numerous beautiful bride models. The quirky poses and facial expressions of the girls provided some comical moments. Attempting to congratulate one of them on her marriage, I was promptly informed by James that she was actually posing for a magazine—a revelation that sparked a collective burst of laughter.
James decided to explore the white building atop the hill to see what lay inside. To our surprise, it housed an art gallery exhibition featuring some remarkable Rembrandt paintings. Being Dutch, I encouraged everyone to join me since there was no entrance fee. During our visit, I explained a Dutch expression to James (“een gegeven paard niet in de bek kijken”), which he wholeheartedly agreed with. While Yen wasn’t a fan of the art, both James and I were intrigued. With just a few others milling about, we were among the few visitors to this small exposition showcasing pieces from Rembrandt, Picasso, Monet, and Modigliani.
The National Museum of Singapore
Exiting the park through the alternate gate, the National Museum of Singapore came into view. Although photography inside was prohibited, I managed to discreetly capture two snapshots. On this particular day, there were two galleries to explore. In the first gallery, I stumbled upon an unused ticket lying around. Remarkably, there was no security in the museum, so we cleverly slipped through the entrance. It occurred to us later that admission might have been free, but we couldn’t be certain—cue a playful jest about not being willing to bail Yen and James out if they were caught. The museum offered a delightful mix of fun and eccentricity.
After just thirty minutes, we decided to move on. Our next destination was the National Library. A brief ten-minute walk led us to its doors, where we took the elevator to the 14th floor to capture some pictures. We lingered there for a while, relishing the captivating view.
Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
We indulged in some delicious treats from a pastry shop at Bugis station before heading to Lavender station. Yen cautioned us against eating on the train, emphasizing that it was not allowed. Curious, I questioned Yen about how they would enforce this rule since I couldn’t spot any cameras. She pointed out the small, inconspicuous cameras installed in Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transport system, which were quite difficult to notice. Despite James’s desire to enjoy his treat after the train ride, Yen continued to discourage eating. I even gestured to James by pointing at a sign (see the picture below). Here are some general snapshots of Singapore’s MRT. On my first visit to the Changi Airport MRT station, I initially thought I had entered a connected shopping mall with closed stores until a train arrived, revealing it to be a bustling transportation hub.
Upon returning to the hostel, we took some time to unwind. In the evening, I braved the less-than-ideal, moldy bathrooms for a quick shower and opted for an early bedtime. James and I had an exciting plan scheduled for the following day.
