Singapore

It's our last day to spend here and we feel like we've done much in such a short time and yet it's hard to decide what we should do with our last day. After much debate we decide to go to Marina City Park.
It offers a breathtaking view of the city skyline and the sea, Marina City Park is the place to be! Here, you can marvel at a spectacular two-tier large pond with the fountain jetting water 18m high. Amidst its rolling greenery, you can see sculptures of Confucius and seven other Chinese legendary heroes, as well as other figurines including:
The Spirit of Youth – the stainless steel represents purity, youthful spirit, and aspiration
The Soaring Vision – each layer of the brass units represents bursts of energy and individual effort
The Sculptural Fountain. We got some great photos and enjoyed walking around the park and people watching. It was a great way to spend the last day in Singapore. Tomorrow we head out and catch our flight to Vietnam where we will no doubt have more adventures!

We slept in really late today but eventually got going in the afternoon and headed to Kampong Glam. A key building in Kampong Glam is Sultan Mosque (or Masjid Sultan) at Bussorah Street, the largest mosque in Singapore with the capacity to accommodate up to 5,000 Muslims in congregational prayers. Built in 1928, the mosque features a massive golden dome and is one of Singapore’s most imposing religious institutions.Because it is a place of worship tourits are to dress conservative- long skirts or trousers and no sleeveless tops. We wanted to go see the architecture and learn a little more about the religion practiced in this country.
Fronting the mosque is Bussorah Mall, where the beautifully restored shophouses sell traditional clothes, artefacts, handicraft, furniture and jewelry. Or head on down to Kandahar Street to try some traditional Malay cuisine.
It was really neat we talked to a few locals and learned alot. The architecture of the massive dome was incredible and that alone is worth coming to see.
Tonight we go to check out Empress Place. It offers local live music and bar grub. There is a number of options the Timbre Arts House or bar Opiume. We decide to have some cocktails at Bar Opiume. It offers a gorgeous view of the Singapore River and buisness district skyline and an intimate dance floor. After a few aphrodisiac cocktails and cuisine the night got better when we met a group of travellers from Germany and they joined us in dancing the night away. We swapped travel stories and places to go and not to go and finally after a long night headed seperate ways and wished each other luck on the rest of the travels.

We wanted to go to the Kranji War Memorial to honor the soliders that fought in World War II. It's open from 7am until 6pm. Kranji War Memorial honours the men from Britain, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, India, Malaya, the Netherlands and New Zealand who gave their lives for freedom in World War II.
Marked graves of 4,000 servicemen who died during the Japanese Occupation stand in neat rows on manicured lawns. Another 24,000 names of soldiers and airforce men who died but whose bodies were never recovered are inscribed on 12 columns.
Kranji War Cemetery began as a hospital burial ground during the Japanese Occupation and became a military cemetery after the war. Bodies of servicemen buried in other parts of Singapore were exhumed and reburied here. The area is also the burial ground of Singapore's first two presidents.
We were glad we visited here and after spending the morning there we wanted something to lighten our mood and headed to Little India.
As you step into Little India, be prepared for an overpowering of the senses! First, you will be greeted by the strong, heady scent of spices and jasmine garlands, followed by the treasure trove of silverware, brassware, ethnic jewellery and colourful silk saris, dazzling to behold. Traditionally the home of Singapore's Indian community, Serangoon Road and its neighbouring side streets are still today a bustling hive of sights, sounds and intriguing aromas.
Check out the spice mill along Serangoon Road for ready-made packets of spices for fish, meat or vegetable curries that can be easily packed into a suitcase. Or indulge in some jewellery - silver amulets, bridal ornaments, cheap, colourful bangles, ankle chains and other adornments. Look out for Indian bedspreads and giant photographs of Indian movie stars. Chellas Gallery specialises in papier-mache boxes and other collectibles from Kashmir. We picked up a varay of souvenirs and just had a great time seeing all that Little India had to offer.
No visit to Little India would be complete without seeing two of the area's institutions -- the Tekka Centre and Mustafa Centre.
The Tekka Centre on Buffalo Road, known as KK Market to the locals, is a bustling wet market full of fresh vegetables, fish, meat, spices and flowers. For small souvenir items, check out the brassware shops or one of the other small shops.
At the other end of Serangoon Road in Serangoon Plaza is Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour emporium-cum-department-store-cum Aladdin's cave. Under its modest exterior, you’ll find every conceivable item here at some of the lowest fixed prices in Singapore.
Tonight we headed back to the Pump Room for another exciting night out!

Today we decided to check out Imbiah lookout. It's Sentosa’s newest activity zone is a fun filled stop, home to Singapore’s biggest attractions! Imbiah Lookout is the stop for fun filled activities where everything is just a mere 7 minutes apart. From the Sentosa Luge & Skyride to the famous panoramic Sky Tower and the Images of Singapore, you will be spilt for choice on how to spend your day. We attempted to fit in as much as possible! But there is only so much you can fit in to one day!
Standing 37 metres tall is The Merlion, which offers a breathtaking view of Sentosa, Singapore’s skyline and the surrounding islands from two viewing decks. If going vertical is your aim, then visit the Sky Tower which takes up to 72 people in its cosy, air-conditioned cabin for a seven-minute ride. Admission is 12 SGD per adult. and is open 9am-9pm. If height is a fear, dont try this one!
Tickle your senses with Sentosa 4D Magix for that truly interactive experience! This state-of-the-art theatre offers you a whole new generation of movie magic complete with surround sound, individually-controlled motion seats and special “live” environmental effects such as water spray and leg ticklers! And try out CineBlast, Asia’s first and only experiential cinema ride! We saw Pirates at the Sentosa 4D Magix admission was 18 SGD/adult and operational hours are 10am-9pm.
For a unique experience, let Sentosa Luge & Skyride exhilarate as you race down a 650km track! Part go-cart, part-toboggan, it is a fun-filled gravity ride that is safe for all ages. Once is never enough! So we went twice! The Sentosa Luge and Skyride was 10 SGD/adult for one luge and skyride.
Needless to say after spending the entire day here- we were spent and had an early night back at the hostel.

Today we are taking in some culture. And we head to the Katong area...
The distinctive charm of Katong can be traced back to its Peranakan roots. A quiet residential area formerly dominated by wealthy Straits Chinese families or the Peranakans, many of the older Peranakan homes in Katong, once seaside villas, still stand tall and picturesque. Katong is the place to go for colourful Nonya kebayas (traditional dress of female Peranakans), exquisite beaded slippers and handbags, and of course home-made Peranakan cuisine like ayam buah keluak.
Along East Coast Road, you will find three retail-cum-cultural establishments showcasing the many facets of Peranakan culture - Katong Antique House, Rumah Bebe and Kim Choo Kueh Chang.
Set in an elaborately-designed Peranakan 'house', Rumah Bebe not only sells Nonya kebayas and accessories, it also offers classes in Peranakan cuisine, beadwork and traditional embroidery. Visit the upper floor to view a display of a Peranakan bridal chamber and learn more about the life of a typical young Peranakan lady. We each purchased one of these Nonya kebayas as souvenirs to bring home.
Founded over 40 years ago, Kim Choo Kueh Chang is where patrons can savour its famous sweet rice dumplings as well as learn the art of wrapping Nonya dumplings at organised demonstrations and live classes throughout the day.
The 25 year-old Katong Antique House is filled with every type of traditional Peranakan costumes, crockery and furniture. Meet Mr Peter Wee, a fourth generation Baba Peranakan who will regale you with stories of his heritage. A little gallery sits on the top floor of the two-storey shophouse, which Mr Wee inherited from his maternal grandfather, Mr Tan Cheng Kee.
The Eurasians are another ethnic group whose roots are in Katong. The Eurasian Heritage Centre, located at the Eurasian Association's community house, offers fascinating insight into the Eurasian culture, from music, local celebrities and even language. Visitors can also sample delicious Eurasian fare at the Association's very own Eurasian restaurant - Eddie's Place. We took the oppurtunity to discover this Eurasian roots and sat at Eddie's Place to enjoy lunch. Though we had no idea what to order we tried a few different things- some of which we liked... some not so much but we were glad to be adventurous and try something new.
In the same vicinity is the Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple, with stunning architecture and murals – definitely well worth a visit. For something more modern, Parkway Parade is the shopping mall of the east. But ultimately, Katong is best known for Singaporeans’ favourite pastime – food! We found a great little resturant and enjoyed a relaxing dinner while we chatted about all of our experiences so far. Up to this point we both agree the Pump Room was the best night we've had