Singapore sizzles in more than one way:
1) the climate (yeah, generally hot, but in the range of 'just bearable' - during the day - and 'very pleasant' - in the evening and morning - while I was there);
2) the economy, along with Hong Kong and Shanghai;
3) the food: spicy and ubiquitous.
 |
| It's full of jolly eateries and beer pubs |
The Geylang area, situated east of the city center, not very far from
Changi Airport, does not resemble the Singapore cliche of squeaky clean streets and hurrying business people.
This is the lane at the back of my modest hotel (nothing to write home about, but clean and not too expensive); when I passed early in the evening I had the impression people were drinking ample amounts of beer (the bottles being kept cool in buckets of ice water in the middle of the tables); that this impression was correct was proven all through the night by drunken singing and shouting...
 |
| Dim Sum being prepared |
 |
| I thought these were chicken feet for connoisseurs, but | a knowledgeable friend tells me they are duck feet (I hadn't looked closely enough!) | |
 |
| hardware store selling good luck charms for Chinese New Year |
 e |
| livingroom-cum-shrine, opening directly to the street |
 |
| colonial building in a curious mixed style |
 |
| longans & mangosteens |
Back to the food: delicious mangosteens (as friend Jim describes them, "purple outside, slimy garlic cloves inside" - but of course they aren't really slimy, and their flavor is exquisite), plus the famous durian.
 |
| mangosteen & durian flesh |
The durian is being slandered unjustly, in my opinion. Durians are said to be the worst-smelling fruit in the world, and
they are even forbidden in Singapore's metro, but they don't smell
that bad, really. Maybe not my favorite smell, but there is worse - and even if they were the champions in bad smell they would still be the champions in delicious taste!
Singapore signs
My visit to the Chinese Garden provided me with plenty of examples for the rules and regulations the city is famous for.
Right at the entrance of the garden visitors are greeted by this:
The poor pets are doubly discriminated against: they don't just have to stay outside, they are also called pests...
The toilets are literally plastered with hints, explanations, and exhortations:
And when you are done with your business, you find out you've been using a happy toilet!
But whatever you may think of it: this toilet certainly had the most striking signs for 'Ladies' and 'Gentlemen' I've encountered so far.
 |
| Geylang eatery |
This one made me smile...
...this one didn't:
 |
Labrador area power station
|
I guess even if you do not understand any of the 4 languages and are half blind, you will get the message anyway.
e
Right at the entrance of the garden visitors are greeted by this: 
The poor pets are doubly discriminated against: they don't just have to stay outside, they are also called pests...
