Singorean Weekends

So I spent the last 2 weekends in Singapore, and finally felt like I knew the country a bit more. The past Friday, a bunch of us from UW went out with some of my local friends from NUS, and got a taste of some authentic good Singaporean Chinese food. It was a great night of eating, eating, and more eating. One hawker stand after another, one food stall after another, until I couldn’t eat another bite! Definitely up for that again!

Annies BDay dinner was Saturday night, and we went out to a seafood restaurant by Plaza Singapura. It was the first “western” style food I had here, ie. We got napkins. I think everyone from the UW gang showed up, so it was a lot of fun. After dinner, we went over to Clark’s Quay and just chilled, some while drinking beer / another drink from the near by 7/11.

Sunday was quite an adventurous day for me! In the morning, a group of us exchange students left early for Palau Ubin island. It’s one of the few natural parts of Singapore left. Basically this was how all of Singapore looked like before it was modernized about 50 years ago. The transformation of the country is really amazing. I find myself continually amazed at how different countries overcome different obstacles, and rise above their hardships to become a stronger, and better nation.

We took a ferry over to Palau Ubin and then rented bikes for the day. The island was very beautiful, and I think that I would do it again. Saw lots of butterflies and even some “exotic?” birds.

Gary and I left for the Night Safari from Palau Ubin at around 5 ish. The Night Safari was really cool. Different from the zoos I have been in, because sometimes, there is no physical barrier between you and the animal. Defintely got to see some animals up close, and there is nothing like being 1ft away from some leopards with only a piece of glass separating you.

Anyway, I am about to leave for my Chinese New Year trip in a few minutes. Flying out to Thailand with Bernice and Phil tonight, spending about a day in Bangkok and then flying out Cambodia, then make our way from Cambodia to Vietnam. After that, we’ll see where it takes us!

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone!