Singapore Botanic Gardens

No modern big city is of course complete without a set of lungs providing necessary oxygen to the people. Singapore's lungs is the Botanic Gardens and for more than one and a half century it has been "connecting plants and people" to quote their own slogan.

Walking around here at random equipped with some vanilla ice cream is a true pleasure reminding you that the best things in life can be, if not free, at least affordable.

It's perfect for picnics, dates and concerts. A part of the park near Symphony Lake is dedicated to the memory of Frederic Chopin, the Polish composer considered one of the greatest masters of Romantic music.

Singapore Zoo

Yesterday we explored the world acclaimed Singapore Zoo, known for its "open zoo" concept featuring animals in their natural habitat. It feels like you're in a rainforest with sidewalks. What a fabulous day out! We spent the entire afternoon there and still probably only covered around 60% of the place.

As we are very much into the "when in Rome" mode (plus we need to save a buck or two), we decided to go by MRT (subway) and then bus 138. It took us approximately one hour to get there but it felt right to use public transport when it's so reliable as it is here.

The zoo is spotless and beautifully landscaped. It is a huge place and large parts of it are surrounded by a lake, which makes it even more spectacular. Most of the animals are not caged so you can see them from a short distance which adds to the whole experience. At times we felt very small, especially while watching graceful but deadly white tigers. And we tried to be on our best behavior when we visited the elephants, because they don't forget you know. We also gazed at a jaguar, were up close and personal with a giraffe and starred eye to eye with a playful sea lion at the zoo's amphitheater. We also saw a jackass but that was a human and a completely different story.

Another favorite was the orangutans and chimpanzees. They looked like they were enjoying the day in the sun, chatting with each other, not far from what we humans prefer doing on a lazy afternoon actually. It was very touching to watch orangutan mothers taking care of their small children, giving them their entire attention with a loving look in their eyes.

Little India, Singapore

First thought that run through our minds when we exited the subway station in Little India was: it smells like curry. No kidding, it does!

It's a very charming ethnic neighbourhood in Singapore (if you don't mind curry that is). Totally different from the rest of Singapore, far from poshy Prada and Gucci flag ship stores.

Little India truly feels like a slice of India. Lots and lots of vegetables stands, beautiful jewellery stands and Bollywood stands frame the busy streets. But if you want peace and quiet you can do what we did and stroll down Serangoon Road and you'll reach the beautiful Hindu temple Sri Veeramamakaliamman dating back to 1881. Inside you'll find images of Kali wearing a garland of skulls and ripping out the insides of her victims, but also more peaceful moments such as Kali spending time her sons Ganesha and Murugan.











t

Poor in Singapore

We’ve gone from riches to rags, damn it’s expensive here. There will be no more pretending we’re wealthy. Prices in Singapore have very much resemblance to what you would find on price tags in Sweden, and we’re not used to that anymore, not after eight weeks in Malaysia. Probably there will be no fancy dinners for us here; we’ll save that till next week when we’re back over the Malaysian border again. Check this out: first thing we did in Singapore was buying a subway pass, very economical and environment friendly!

After checking in at The Rendezvous Hotel we took the subway to Orchard Rd. All poshy brands are represented here; it’s Patrick Bateman heaven. Gucci is like Starbucks in Manhattan, one in every corner. But we didn’t shop much, no point really since we can find most of the stuff for similar prices in Stockholm, and we’ve never been that brand horny anyway. Plus our luggage already weighs over 50 kilo, (Nelly’s fault mostly).

Instead of shopping we will focus on doing what you can’t do back home, explore the sights that make Singapore beautiful and unique. We have heard good things about the Singapore Zoo, the Botanic garden and at Sentosa Island they have a dolphin lagoon, so that’s on top of our agenda now. More details coming as soon as we find an Internet Café that doesn’t charge 5 SEK (2 PLN) per minute.

Nelly’s new favourite hobby is standing up in bed (using the head board), and then on purpose losing balance, falling down in different constellations accompanied by a cheerful warning scream.

She’s remains the star wherever we might be. Still the center of attention in every store we enter, subway car we ride with or café we rest at. She’s gonna miss all the appreciation she receives daily from everybody when we are back in Sweden. Babcia and dziadek get ready to step up and entertain the diva!

Leaving Langkawi

Bags are packed, postcards sent, rental car returned, hate to say it but we're leaving Langkawi. We've been here for more than 6 weeks now and it has been fantastic! This is the island were we got married and where our daughter celebrated her first birthday so it feels emotional to leave. But like the song says, "It's easier to leave than to be left behind". Plus we're on our way to a new exciting place, tomorrow we'll be in Singapore!

Our last night in Langkawi we spent at Bar Rhu. Nelly stayed home with her kind nanny Gaya, we're gonna miss her a lot. She is the reason that parts of our stay here felt like a real honeymoon.

Bar Rhu is another must visit if you've ever in Langkawi, great drinks, good food, stunning view. What more can you wish for really? Pool table? Well they have that too. Yesterday they also had a live band performing covers. The highlight for us was when they played "(they long to be) close to you" one of our personal favorites.

"Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you"

Meanwhile back in our apartment at Chogm Villa.





Bar Rhu at Tanjung Rhu beach.






















And a glass of wine later...