We went to Sri Mariamman Temple in China town, in the surrounding streets are lots of shops. The temple is Hindu and is one of the more charismatic ones I’ve seen. There is also some chanting and drum beating and other instruments being played as followers pray to their gods. They do walking on hot coals here where the devotees feel no pain, we had to remove our shoes at the front door and we could barely walk on the tiles exposed to the sun.
Onwards to Little India, a predominantly Indian quarter with more shrines and temples but more excitedly the popular Banana Leaf Apollo, famed for its fish head curry. We got a little lost on the way because the road you walk along suddenly changes name and the street you were on has become the one adjacent, I know that makes no sense. By now I have totally given up on trying to not look too sweaty. I’ll be frank here, it started out as damp armpit patches then slowly spreads into a dripping back, then comes the onslaught of the sun and there’s no shade, soon you have just a couple of dry spots left on your top until eventually you’re just walking around in a clingy almost see through wet rag.
Anyway, the Banana Leaf Apollo serves its meals on large banana leaves. It’s true what is said about the fish head curry, it is gorgeous. A large white snappers head (about the size of a foot) comes served in a dish in broth with vegetables. You get poppadoms, rice etc. served too and the use of cutlery is optional. There’s sufficient meat on the head for us to share. My right hand is soon a mess as I chose not to use cutlery, and the sauce stained my fingers, it also stained my chin and lower lip which no-one told me about and I didn’t notice until we got back later.
The Night Safari is billed as “the” must-do in Singapore. I don’t really get much satisfaction from seeing captivated animals though to be truthful. I can appreciate the fact that it’s a conservation area and are trying to help re-populate some species. There is a tram ride that states you are frighteningly close to the animals and is a hair raising experience, maybe if you’re 1. It’s better once you get off the tram and walk round. There were some highlights, for example the giant flying squirrels were fun to watch and the anteaters looked just plain stupid and out of proportion.
As we finish the walk we have to catch the last bus at 22.45 or you’re stuck and have to find a taxi.
Onwards to Little India, a predominantly Indian quarter with more shrines and temples but more excitedly the popular Banana Leaf Apollo, famed for its fish head curry. We got a little lost on the way because the road you walk along suddenly changes name and the street you were on has become the one adjacent, I know that makes no sense. By now I have totally given up on trying to not look too sweaty. I’ll be frank here, it started out as damp armpit patches then slowly spreads into a dripping back, then comes the onslaught of the sun and there’s no shade, soon you have just a couple of dry spots left on your top until eventually you’re just walking around in a clingy almost see through wet rag.
Anyway, the Banana Leaf Apollo serves its meals on large banana leaves. It’s true what is said about the fish head curry, it is gorgeous. A large white snappers head (about the size of a foot) comes served in a dish in broth with vegetables. You get poppadoms, rice etc. served too and the use of cutlery is optional. There’s sufficient meat on the head for us to share. My right hand is soon a mess as I chose not to use cutlery, and the sauce stained my fingers, it also stained my chin and lower lip which no-one told me about and I didn’t notice until we got back later.
The Night Safari is billed as “the” must-do in Singapore. I don’t really get much satisfaction from seeing captivated animals though to be truthful. I can appreciate the fact that it’s a conservation area and are trying to help re-populate some species. There is a tram ride that states you are frighteningly close to the animals and is a hair raising experience, maybe if you’re 1. It’s better once you get off the tram and walk round. There were some highlights, for example the giant flying squirrels were fun to watch and the anteaters looked just plain stupid and out of proportion.
As we finish the walk we have to catch the last bus at 22.45 or you’re stuck and have to find a taxi.
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