Singapore

Danielle and I headed to Singapore to visit our friend Rocky, who Danielle knows from college. He is stationed in Singapore as a Navy Officer. We got to his apartment, and were blown away. It was in a brand new high rise with amazing views of the city and an elevator that open directly into his apartment. I decided then that I am going into the wrong field. We went out for dinner and drinks and were in for a huge shock. Beers that cost $1 in Thailand were $15 here!! I knew Singapore was expensive, but that is ridiculous. I had fears that my thinning wallet would send me into the shakes.

The next day, we toured fancy Singapore. Everything was SO clean SO modern and SO expensive. Rocky told us that after a building is 20 years old, they tear it down to build something new. Apparently Singapore has more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world.

In front of Marina Bay Sands. A fancy hotel/mall/rooftop bar and pool.

Singapore Slings mmmmm

Rocky took us to "Durian Street". I had heard of durian before, on travel food shows. It is a big spiky, smelly fruit that is banned many places in Thailand. They will have a no smoking sign right next to a "no durian" sign. We got out of the car and I immediately smelled the durian, but didn't think it was a bad smell. Then we tasted the durian. It tasted like rotten eggs, gasoline, and a hint of banana all rolled into one, with a very mushy consistency. It was not good and one bite was more than enough. After this one taste, the smell became awful, and I understood why it was banned.

Rocky took us to Butter Factory, complete with bottle service for a night of drinks and dancing.

The next day we went to Santosa Beach, a fancy, but obviously man-made beach with man-made islands and a nearby bar/restaurant. There were a couple of British guys nearby playing cricket. Danielle said she felt like she was going to get hit in the head by them. A few minutes earlier, Rocky went to the bar to get some water and I asked him to check out beer prices for me. He came back with bad news: $15, I didn't really need a beer anyways. Next thing I know, the stupid cricket ball clocks me right in the back of the head. The British guys are covering there heads in shame while I yell at them, "Gee thanks! Go buy me a beer!". The dude responded "I will I will!" A few minutes later I have a $15 beer in hand. We all joke that we wouldn't mind getting hit a few more times. 

Views of Singapore from One Altitude, the world's highest open air rooftop bar.

Danielle and I left Singapore to head back to Bangkok for the day before our flight home late that night. We were on the train and Danielle mentioned that she had to finish her bottle of water before the flight. Singapore has crazy fines for everything, from $5000 for riding your bike across a bridge, to being caned if you spit your gum out on the street. We had noticed the sign stating it was a $500 fine to drink on the train, so we waited. We had to make a transfer and while on the train platform Danielle took a sip of water and I asked for some as well. Literally 10 seconds later a man is behind us saying "Good morning, are you aware that there is no food or drink on the train?" Completing my image with my giant travel backpack on, I played stupid tourist and said I thought that was only on the train and didn't apply to the platform (this is really what I thought). He lectured us for a few more minutes and let us go without being caned. I'm pretty sure our backpacks saved us.