One of the toughest things about traveling is how it has cast us away from a daily life of friends, kitchens, Sunday newspapers, and the (often overlooked) joy of spending your time in a place where you know the pulse of the city like the back of your hand.
Thinking back to this makes me recall our visit to Singapore a pure joy. Given the many expats that are a part of Singapore society, we gladly had a few friends in the area and had the pleasure of staying with and spending a few days with my good friend Sam and his wonderful wife Bibi. Being and adventurous soul and having lived in Singapore for 9 years, Sam probably knows more of this city than more Singaporeans.
Sam having an intense battle with the shrimp
Singapore was our first taste of the Melody of Chinese, Indian and expat cultures that make up the region’s identity. This was apparent starting the first day when we took a metro from the predominantly Chinese area only to end up with sights and smell of the first little India neighborhood I’ve visited that can, for a moment be mistaken for most of these countrymen’s homeland.
The city seems to posses the soul of these great cultures, minus that chaos, and with on obsession on order, cleanliness, and hygiene. Monk would love this place!
My parents had visited Singapore in the mid 1970’s and I’d looked at their fading pictures before leaving on this trip. However, there was not much more of that small quiet town which they visited. This was one of the most modern and orderly cities we’d ever seen.
The Famous Fishhead curry
The city’s obsession with food is something we adopted for my few days there with great efforts. There are many fantastic dishes invented or perfected in Singapore, and I was determined to try them all. I spend my days searching for the perfect Fish head Curry’s, Biryanis, Chili crabs, and Satays.
It was interesting to feel as though you’re in a western country one minute and then have the sights and smells that are unmistakably Asia the following
Showing off my tan with Sylvia and John
We had a great time meeting up with Sylvia who’s been my friends since college (or university as it should properly be referred to in the UK!) and her boyfriend John. Overall, it’s great that we can pick up the spirit of old friendship and admire the ways we’ve all grown since our last encounter.
Thank you Sam and Bibi for being awesome hosts and Sylvia & John for treating us to a proper Christmas lunch of Fish head Curry on Banana Leaves after Anthony Bourdain’s suggestion failed on us.
Singapore was a oasis of the west set among the most central locations of South East Asia.
Prawn Fishing: Nothing beats catching your own dinner
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