Wotae: 08.01.2020
Hello friends,
well, what can I say, another year has passed, so it was about time to set off again. This time, I will just go with the flow without a big plan, but with an idea. Starting in Singapore, then heading towards Malaysia and possibly crossing over to Sumatra.
Alright, so I have already reached Singapore, although I had some concerns about it. After my decision and flight booking with the budget airline in the long-haul sector, "Air China," I read quite a few negative things. About delays, flight cancellations, or problems with luggage. I have to contradict that right here. I had a tiring but, in hindsight, good flight.
Yes, as I said, Singapore, the supposedly cleanest city in the world. There I was, well-rested, in front of my hostel the next morning, sweating quite a bit. Yes, I forgot about the tropical heat, and it immediately reminded me to "take it easy!"
It's lucky that there is this perfect means of transportation here, the metro, which is air-conditioned.
So, I started directly on a sightseeing tour. I got off at the "City Hall" station and stood right in front of the beautiful "St. Andrews Cathedral." From here, I went past the "National Gallery," towards the "Stamford Raffles Statue" by the river. Shortly thereafter, I reached the old pompous "Fullerton Building," the "Victoria Theatre," and a bit further, I already looked over to the "Marina Bay Sands," behind which the tourist magnet "Gardens by the Bay" was located. And that's exactly where I went now. This place is, of course, beautiful to look at, but in my opinion, it can't hold a candle to the Botanic Garden.
Because I visited that on the very next day, it is breathtaking in contrast, while "Gardens by the Bay" appears sterile and artificial, but that's quite clear when considering that the "Botanic Garden" has been around since 1877. There is also a small remaining jungle, so to speak. The "Orchid Garden" is also beautifully designed and is the only one here that charges an entrance fee of €3.50. In comparison, "Gardens by the Bay" is €18 if you want to visit the tropical houses. On the other hand, the evening light and music show there is breathtaking. Classical music is not really my thing, but I even got goosebumps here.
What is highly recommended are the old districts "Little India" and "China Town." Here, life is played out again, and if it weren't so clean, you might think you are really in India.