Grünstadt feeling

Puuhhh (exactly the right expression for my current state of mind)...what a day! When I look back, we actually 'only' visited two attractions in Singapore today. However, these were very intensive attractions that required a lot of walking, which is why we feel completely exhausted now (we might manage the five meters to the bathroom to brush our teeth, but I have no idea how we will get back...) and today's blog post will be a bit less detailed.

Let me summarize: after arriving three minutes late yesterday and only being able to have a sad look at the Orchid Garden through the closed gate, we decided to make up for it immediately. And so we did! In the morning freshness and with a lot of tourist entrepreneurial spirit, we made our way to the bus stop. This time we immediately knew which bus number to take and at which stop to get off. We also had our fancy bus cards with us, which you simply have to hold against a reader when getting on - piieep - and when getting off - piieep. The corresponding amount of money is then deducted depending on the distance. Convenient and time-saving. We're already becoming pros...

Arriving at the 'Botanic Garden' bus stop, we immediately headed to the Orchid Garden. Instead of the expected $5, we only had to pay $1 entrance fee (student discount, yes!), which almost felt like an insult to all the beauty and splendor that was presented to us. The sight was simply incredible. I won't even start to describe this experience with my pitiful words, it simply has to be seen, heard, and felt...

We quickly decided to abandon our plan to visit the National University of Singapore, as the exit to 'Orchard Road' (an important point on our sightseeing list) was nearby. After some difficulty finding our way, we finally entered it: the largest shopping street in Southeast Asia. Just ONE of the department stores would have surpassed the entire shopping offering in Weimar (well, that's not difficult). And there were many department stores. Although according to the city map we had only walked a few centimeters and our battered feet already didn't want to carry us anymore, there were still at least six centimeters to go until the end of the street.

Of course, we also 'visited' some department stores (the right expression), including the 'ION Orchard' (number one on the list). We definitely didn't want to miss this sight! And I also had a faint hope of finding something reasonably affordable. Later we learned that H&M, Zara, and Co really exist here, but they can only be found at subway level and by then it was already too late. Apparently, they are ashamed of these 'cheap stores' for the common people, so they were banished to the catacombs.

When you enter one of these shopping palaces (they have long lost their status as houses), it first seems as if you have walked straight into a hall of mirrors, everything around you sparkles and shines so much. And just as difficult as finding your way out of a hall of mirrors, you will also find your way out of here! But maybe that's part of the sales strategy and you only get directions to the exit when you have actually bought something. Well, somehow we managed to...Of course, we also took a few interior shots completely illegally and at the risk of our lives, just for you!

Finally, when we were free again, it started to rain heavily and thunder. In combination with the wild screaming of the birds, the loud chirping of the crickets, and the mass of lights on the crowded street, we witnessed a magnificent nature/city spectacle...

And then the highlight of the day was supposed to follow: the Marina Bay, with all its famous landmarks. But we were still so intoxicated by all the bling-bling and our (that means my) feet were unbearable sore (Richard: flip-flops, Maggi: hundred-euro hiking shoes...do you notice the irony?), so we decided to postpone this plan until tomorrow.

After a short detour to Katong and a mediocre (and damn spicy) noodle soup, we sank completely exhausted into our beds.

Puuhhh...what a day!

Greetings from: Maggi&Richard

Singapore, 26.10.2016, 00:01 am