In Singapore

I'm having a great time in Singapore. I arrived in the late afternoon yesterday after a 5 1/2 hour bus ride. I'm staying in a hostel just south of Little India. Little India is great! It's just like India without the chaos and filth. I got my eyebrows threaded and had some great south Indian food. Last night I went on the Night Safari, where I saw numerous species of animals, including a walk through these cages where bats and flying squirrels can whiz past your head... it was really cool.

Today I decided to make the most of my time here. I had an action packed day beginning at the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery. After visiting the monastery, I decided to get an hour-long full body massage at Ngee Ann Foot Reflexology run by visually impared masseurs. From there I visited numerous Hindu temples throughout Little India, some Buddhist and Taoist temples, and even a mosque -- the Sultan Mosque. I also ascended Mount Faber, where I had a nice view of the city, however, it was raining. Oh well.

It's so easy to get around here -- first people speak English (well there is a local dialect that I sometimes cannot understand) and for the first time since I left the USA, all the signs are in English too! The MRT (subway/ light rail) is fast, cheap, and convenient. There are also bus connections to anywhere you want to see in the city; the buses come regularly. There are shopping malls everywhere and great restaurants.

Singapore is a great city/ country. I think both Singapore and Malaysia are the most diverse places I have been in Asia. There are so many Indians and Chinese here. The official language of Singapore is English, though most major signs are labeled in Chinese and an (south?) Indian language. I'm planning to get some dinner and then go to bed early.

Tomorrow morning I will take the bus to Melaka, where (hopefully) I will meet JohnDre.