Flower Power

Checked out the Botanical Garden yesterday. Very pretty. It's essentially a rainforest in the middle of the city.

Wasn't able to cover the whole thing - the park is too damn big and the weather is too damn hot. After a couple hours walking through the Ginger Garden and the National Orchid Garden, I had had enough flower power for one day.

Did you know the banana is considered a part of the ginger species of flowers?

Malacca (aka Melaka)

My first trip outside Singapore took place a couple weeks ago when a co-worker and I went across the border into Malaysia (aka the place where Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones starred in Entrapment). A few of my experiences:

1) Singapore has Chicken Rice, Malacca has Chicken Rice Balls: rice that is boiled in chicken grease instead of water. Rather than serving it to you in a pile, Malaccans make balls out of it. An unhealthy gimmick, but a very tasty one.

2) My first tasting of Chendel: a mountain of shaved ice that sits on top of coconut milk, red beans, grass jelly, and sweet corn, with a drizzle of molasses-- damn good. The locals say it's much better than Singapore's. When asked why, the response is, "it just is."

3) Parts of the city have been overly restored, such as the Dutch Square, where everything is painted in a fresh coat of red and a fake windmill was propped up in the 90's. Get it- windmill, Dutch Square. Other parts are crying for help - exposed outdoor pipes, empty buildings, crumbling sidewalks. And then there's Chinatown, the perfect combo of deterioration and historical charm where you can find the best food, nightlife and shopping.

4) Malacca has the most entertaining public transportation: pimped out rickshaws, driven by crazy locals who blast everything from gangster rap to techno dance music. Each one is decorated with tons of fake flowers, religious & patriotic symbols, and Christmas lights. When we asked our cyclist who decorated his rickshaw, he responded, "My wife. It took us a whole day."

5) No tall buildings + Not many trees = No shade. This is why you always stay at a hotel with a pool. Which we did.

Pile o' Coconuts

A common drink here is Thai coconut water. A man with a machete hacks an opening into the coconut with two quick stabs, inserts a straw and hands it to you. Very tasty, and a tad bit scary.

Here's a bunch of empty ones that the waitors are piling up on one table. Are these recyclable?

Take that, Walmart!

Mustafa Centre is Singapore's answer to Walmart. It's open 24-7, has 6 floors, stretches a full street block, and has anything you could ever need. It's the only one-stop shopping experience in Singapore.

Their inventory is so large and stacked so high, that while walking through the aisles, you get the frightening sensation shelves could topple over any minute, instantly burying you alive under a mountain of flip-flops.

Local Anchorwoman

When it comes to style, the Indian woman don't mess around.

Not sure if this lady is the local Katie Couric or just a college student (is there a difference?).

The King of Beers

I'm not much of a beer drinker. Only drink it on social occasions. But damn, if Singapore doesn't make good beer.

Tiger Beer is one of the few things in Singapore that's actually made in Singapore. Everything else is imported.

On a hot day, they will serve it to you in a frosted mug, over ice. Brilliant.

Lil' India

Decided to check out Little India today. It's all lit up this time of year to celebrate Deepavali, a Hindu holiday known as the Festival of Lights, signifying the victory of good over evil in all of us. In between a couple of packed temples lies a gazillion restaurants, outdoor markets, and gold jewelry stores.

Ended up grabbing dinner there: Tandoori chicken, Nan, and Mutton gravy. My face got sweatier as the meal wore on. But was able to wash it all down with a nice 40oz of Tiger beer...yummmm.

The women are all dressed up nice in very colorful gear, while the men schlep around in half-tucked-in shirts. The neighborhood is crowded, dirty and loud...felt like I was back in NYC.