When in Chinatown, shop and eat

Place: SINGAPORE 

A view of Chinatown. Note the timber windows with narrow 
slits, a characteristic of almost the entire, which along 
with pastel shades of walls, gives it an elegant look

The place for the best bargains. Okay, perhaps not many in Singapore are not as desperate for bargain as us Indians, but then Singapore's Chinatown not just offers the best prices, but also a great experience.

With its huge range of merchandise, especially souveniers at great prices, roadside vendors, and even bargaining, it is sure to remind Indians of their bazaars.

Chinatown is located in the southern part of the city, in Singapore's early areas of settlement. In Chinese the name means 'bull cart water' as once water was transport in carts to cater to the needs of the area. The area is worth traipsing around in, for this where the genesis of today's modern community lies.

The area, once overcrowded, has been restored to a great extent, and is today full of beautiful facades. The architecture is a combination, almost a cross, of Victorian, Baroque and Italianate styles. In the evening the area additionally takes on the look of a huge eatery as streets close to traffic and instead tables are laid for people to dine out. 

Sentosa straits

A view of the Singapore Straits. You can just about make out
the circumference of the Earth! 

Place: SENTOSA

Looking out to the Singapore Straits from my room at the Rasa Sentosa hotel on Singapore's Sentosa island.

This relatively small body of water separates Singapore from Indonesia. But the separation seems to be more on paper as I was told there are many men crossing frequently to satisfy certain needs!

It is also a a main channel to the Straits of Malacca. It is busy all the time, and ships and boats crowd this water body along with small sandy islands. Good for a leisurely boat ride. 

How's the action?

Place: SINGAPORE

Voyeurism? Well a view of balconies from my room on the 11th floor of my hotel. I had not realised that one could look and see so clearly into other's balconies! Despite overlooking a beautiful sea view, there were very few people out then! May be still catching up on excitement from the night before?

This is in Singapore on a beautiful early morning.