Summary: I’m sure anyone who read my Day 1 and Day 2 itineraries will understand why I was a bit tired this morning – two back to back >12 hour days in >80F weather is pretty taxing. At breakfast I was on a mission to rehydrate from the previous day's hiking, drinking four glasses of water and three glasses of juice (thanks Fullerton Hotel for the delicious juices). My day didn't start until I caught a cab to Chinatown around 11:30am. It was a day of religious places – I saw Sri Mariamman Temple and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown and Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple in Little India. They were all beautiful and, in my opinion, enjoyable no matter what your religious beliefs.
ENTIRE TRIP OVERVIEW
Destination(s): Singapore, Singapore and Malacca, Malaysia
Total Length of Stay: 5 days, 6 nights (first 3 days in Singapore, then 2 days in Malaysia)
Getting There: International flight to and from Singapore, local bus to Malaysia from Singapore
THIS PORTION
This Blog Post: Day 3 out of 3 in Singapore, Day 3 out of 5 for entire trip
Accommodation: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Tour Operator: Completely self-guided
Time Spent Traveling: 4-5 hours interspersed with breaks
Activity Level: Moderate, activity not strenuous but did walk in 80-90F heat for a few hours
ITINERARY (times are very approximate and meant to only roughly illustrate the pace)
1.) Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown (12-1pm)
I imagine the first thing most people notice is the colorful and detailed artwork at the entrance, and similar designs can be found around the sides. I’d never been inside a Hindi temple before and decided to try it out. Shoes are not allowed inside and there were some areas of unshaded concrete fully exposed to the sun…not so fun to walk on.
Destination(s): Singapore, Singapore and Malacca, Malaysia
Total Length of Stay: 5 days, 6 nights (first 3 days in Singapore, then 2 days in Malaysia)
Getting There: International flight to and from Singapore, local bus to Malaysia from Singapore
THIS PORTION
This Blog Post: Day 3 out of 3 in Singapore, Day 3 out of 5 for entire trip
Accommodation: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Tour Operator: Completely self-guided
Time Spent Traveling: 4-5 hours interspersed with breaks
Activity Level: Moderate, activity not strenuous but did walk in 80-90F heat for a few hours
ITINERARY (times are very approximate and meant to only roughly illustrate the pace)
1.) Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown (12-1pm)
I imagine the first thing most people notice is the colorful and detailed artwork at the entrance, and similar designs can be found around the sides. I’d never been inside a Hindi temple before and decided to try it out. Shoes are not allowed inside and there were some areas of unshaded concrete fully exposed to the sun…not so fun to walk on.
2.) Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown (1-2pm)
While this temple is visually stunning, the real significance is that it was built to hold the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic, the tooth of Buddha himself. I was wearing a tank top that day so had to cover my arms with a sarong (provided). Legs cannot be exposed either so those wearing shorts had to do the same, but the skirt I was wearing seemed to be sufficient (below my knees). I was fortunate enough to catch a Buddhist prayer session, where I found the sounds and rhythms alluring, peaceful, and mysterious…
While this temple is visually stunning, the real significance is that it was built to hold the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic, the tooth of Buddha himself. I was wearing a tank top that day so had to cover my arms with a sarong (provided). Legs cannot be exposed either so those wearing shorts had to do the same, but the skirt I was wearing seemed to be sufficient (below my knees). I was fortunate enough to catch a Buddhist prayer session, where I found the sounds and rhythms alluring, peaceful, and mysterious…
After exploring the first floor I headed out, but someone pointed out that I could go upstairs (sign posts were not that great). I’m so glad he did, because upstairs was amazing! Pictures were not allowed so I have none to share, but it was even more beautiful than the first floor. Here dwells the gold chamber that holds the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic, as well as some designated areas for meditation. The quite and peaceful environment contrasted with the bustling streets of Chinatown. After this I followed a group of tourists up to the roof (again, sign posts weren’t so great), where I saw a large prayer wheel. At the time I didn’t know it was a prayer wheel – looked it up on google afterwards – so I just stared in fascination at this large spinning structure.
3.) Some Local Snacks in Chinatown (2-2:30pm)
By 2pm I hadn’t eaten and decided I probably should, but I wasn’t in the mood for a big meal. I felt brave enough to try a Durian pancake from a stand in the People’s Park Complex - let’s just say it’s an acquired taste but I think I acquired it this trip! I walked by Mei Heong Yuen Dessert where the words “traditional desserts” lured me inside, but I didn’t have anything sweet. I got savory pumpkin cakes which I ate with hot sauce. KOI Cafe had the most DELICIOUS caramel milk tea which I got with the “1/4 sugar” option, as I generally don’t like things too sweet.
3.) Some Local Snacks in Chinatown (2-2:30pm)
By 2pm I hadn’t eaten and decided I probably should, but I wasn’t in the mood for a big meal. I felt brave enough to try a Durian pancake from a stand in the People’s Park Complex - let’s just say it’s an acquired taste but I think I acquired it this trip! I walked by Mei Heong Yuen Dessert where the words “traditional desserts” lured me inside, but I didn’t have anything sweet. I got savory pumpkin cakes which I ate with hot sauce. KOI Cafe had the most DELICIOUS caramel milk tea which I got with the “1/4 sugar” option, as I generally don’t like things too sweet.
After my food adventures it looked like it was going to rain so I quickly caught a cab to my hotel. After standing on the street and watching several hired cabs drive past me, I realized there was a Taxi stand by the Chinatown MRT station. The rules in the taxi were funny – No Durian!! The smell would be pretty horrid in a taxi, I bet even for those who like it.
4.) Little India (5:45-7pm)
This wasn’t originally on my to-do list and I had been totally committed to just relaxing that afternoon. However, after a swim at the pool and showering, I found myself restless with nothing to do. I caught a cab to Little India intending to eat dinner there but apparently got too busy taking pictures – the streets were very colorful! Although I’ve never been to India, I don’t think I’m that mistaken in saying that it looks and feels like India. The culture here is mainly Tamil (Tamil Nadu region, South of India) and the sign posts were written in the Tamil language.
This wasn’t originally on my to-do list and I had been totally committed to just relaxing that afternoon. However, after a swim at the pool and showering, I found myself restless with nothing to do. I caught a cab to Little India intending to eat dinner there but apparently got too busy taking pictures – the streets were very colorful! Although I’ve never been to India, I don’t think I’m that mistaken in saying that it looks and feels like India. The culture here is mainly Tamil (Tamil Nadu region, South of India) and the sign posts were written in the Tamil language.
5.) Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple (6:30pm)
I wasn’t planning to visit this because it was similar to the one I saw this morning (Sri Mariamman in Chinatown), but was drawn inside when I passed by. It’s difficult to miss as it’s on Serangoon Street, the main street of Little India.
I wasn’t planning to visit this because it was similar to the one I saw this morning (Sri Mariamman in Chinatown), but was drawn inside when I passed by. It’s difficult to miss as it’s on Serangoon Street, the main street of Little India.
After I finished here, I caught the MRT train from Little India to Chinatown and took a cab back to my hotel. This saved me some cab fare but I actually just wanted to see what the subway was like – Singapore is a diverse place and the ticket machines were in four languages: English, Chinese, Tamil, and Malay.
6.) Dinner at Marina Bay – Laksa Noodles (8pm)
I lazily enjoyed the night views of Marina Bay (which I described in detail on Day 2), and went back to Bayside Crab Deli & Bar. I didn’t feel like working at another fully shelled crab though, so got some Laksa noodles and pineapple juice. Then I went back to my room and tried to sleep early, because I had an early bus to Malaysia the next morning!
I lazily enjoyed the night views of Marina Bay (which I described in detail on Day 2), and went back to Bayside Crab Deli & Bar. I didn’t feel like working at another fully shelled crab though, so got some Laksa noodles and pineapple juice. Then I went back to my room and tried to sleep early, because I had an early bus to Malaysia the next morning!
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