Singapore

On Kálmén's lst weekend we went to Singapore. We took the overnite train. It was cheap and a good experience. We bough the bed tickets, the train left KL around 9pm on Friday nite. We got to the MY boarder Johor Baru around 5am, passport check, waiting for something then headed to Singapore. Boarder control - had to leave the train with all luggage -we didn't really have any -queue up for passport control, security check and then wait until we are allowed to board the train again. When we were waiting there, I had a feeling that this is very similiar to the one when the Jews were deported during World War II - it wasn't a nice feeling. Again waiting for something for hours, we only arrived to Singapore train station around 8am. Got a map, were heading to China town. Found an open restaurant, where we had coffee and breakfast. I had some carrot cake, which has never seen carrot before. Anyway we found China town, found a museum which was the Tailor's house in the old times, and its top floor was shared by different families. Amazing how people lived 50-60 yrs ago. We have passed a buddhist temple, and when we were checking the pics on the wall of all the people visiting the place, we found a pic of the HU President. :) After leaveing the temple we found a shopping mall, had another coffee and got refreshed in the rest room. Went down to the river, on the way found a muslim mosk and a hindi temple. As we both have been to Hindi temples in India, we went to check the mosk. We checked the dresscode and thought I have enough clothes on ( I was wearing a short sleeve top and trousers up to my knee), but a young boy got so shocked when he saw me, that he rushed out and gave me robe to wear. We took pics there and at the riverside, went to see the Asian Civilization Museum, which was a small disappointment, but we ticked it anyway. By the time we finished there, we both were hungry. We planned to have lunch on the riverside, but the restaurants there were rip offs. So went to another shopping mall and had Japanese food. I do like Japanes - some of it - and Kálmán never tried it before. I think he liked it. :) He found sugar cane juice at one of the counters, so he bought a glass and was so happy as a kid. :) After lunch we went to see some Church and were heading to the Botanical Garden. That is a must see place, if anyone goes to Singapore. It is wonderful. It has an orchid part, which is beautiful. We spent hours there, but then had to ruch back to China town to buy some pressies, have dinner and get back to the train station by 9pm to catch the train back. Buying pressies was more difficult than we thought. We wanted to buy Tshirts but the ones we liked did not have the size we needed. I think it took about 20 mins to get a Tshirt for Vishal, as the one I really liked was only in M size, and he always complained when I bought M size for him. So I had to choose another one in L size - and guess what, he told me that I forgot his size as the Tshirt is too big! :) I think I will give up, I just can't please him. Anyway bought pressies, found a place to eat and got back to the station in time. Surprise at the station there was no lights on. I wanted to go to the restroom before departure, but it was pitch dark. Boarded the train and was waiting for about 2 hrs at the station, don't know for what. Finally we left Singapore, had the leave the train again at the boarder, got passport checked again, and this time they checked fingerprints as well. Silly, no? Checking it when we leave! Anyway, the journey back wasn't so good, it was very bumpy - I still don't know how could it be on the railway, but anyway I couldn't sleep for hours as I was too afraid that I will fall off the bed - we both were on the upper bed - and then some people were snorring. I did manage to get some sleep, we got back to KL around 8am and to my apartment around 8.30. We had to rush to get ready as we arranged a city tour by 9.30 - of course we were late. But the guide - Abby - was so nice and waited for us - but that is a different story. :)