Singapore Getaway

Our 'home' for the next five days, at the corner of North Bridge Road and Coleman Street, Singapore.


Pak Abu and I are in good old Singapore. We flew in this afternoon and will be here for five days before returning home to Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

We were here last almost six years ago, in 2003, when The Royal Mint of Malaysia (where I was attached to at the time) participated in the Singapore International Money Fair.

As the Mint's head of corporate affairs, it was very much my baby to ensure our participation ran smoothly and our presence felt amongst the mints from all over the world.

I was fully occupied then. There was hardly any time for leisure. Event management has always been very stressful, anyway.

This time around, I am in Singapore as a spouse, just to keep Pak Abu company while he attends a workshop/seminar/training organised by his Singapore-based HQ.

So for the next five days I am going to be freer than free; don't know yet what to do to fill my time (apart from reading and blogging).

I don't really fancy shopping because things are rather expensive in Singapore and the exchange rate is not in our favour.

I have always found Singapore hard to fathom, and I can't even explain why. It's like visiting a rich distant aunt and spending a few nights as her house guest. You enjoy your host's hospitality but keep a respectful distance from the host herself.

On one hand, I like Singapore's obsession with cleanliness, which is hardly surprising, considering the neat freak that I am. On the other, I am weary of the inconveniences, things I take for granted at home.

It's a bother looking for 'halal' food places and the fact that I can't indulge in my favourite fast foods because of the uncertainly about the 'kosherness' of the meat and poultry.

The concierge suggested Arab Street but we have to take a cab to get there when we would prefer places within walking distance from the hotel.

There is a shopping complex called Peninsular or something across the street; we checked it out just now and found a food court on the ground floor.

We had dinner at a 'halal' outlet called Fatimah Asian Gourmet. Pak Abu chose rice and some lauks while I opted for noodles, something called Mee Betawi. Delicious! Looks like Fatimah's going to be my makan place for the next few days.

The last time I followed Pak Abu on a similar trip, I ended up watching TV reruns to while away time.

This time around, I remembered to bring my books. And with the laptop, I hope I won't be bored for long....