Goodbye Singapore

On Monday night, a group of us from the hostel went on Singapore Zoo’s Night Safari. We took a tram ride around the park and observed everything from elephants to leopards to lions. They were interesting to see up close but the tram seemed to whiz by most of the animals so fast that once I finally made out where the animal was, it was already past me. We also went to a “Creatures of the Night” show that included all little critters such as otters, raccoons, and snakes. The funniest thing to watch was an otter recycling. The host dumped all plastic, tin, and paper bottles and cups on the floor and the otter picked them up and put them in the correct recycling bin, or was supposed to anyway. He kept putting every piece of litter into the bin marked “Tin.” It was really cute.

After the show we all got free Ben & Jerry’s because a passing woman offered us her coupons. She probably felt sorry because the 7 of us were sharing one waffle cone (no ice cream, just a waffle cone.) It must have been a pathetic sight. She gave us four coupons, but we managed to get eight free ice cream cones out of the them – ah, the things you do for free stuff when you’re backpacking.

Thankfully, I haven’t gotten any more bites…that I’m aware of. I already have so many that I probably wouldn’t notice a few more anyhow. I’m hoping that will be my only bout with bedbugs though it’s a highly unlikely wish. They are starting to heal and aren’t as noticeable, but I now perpetually smell of menthol and insect repellant – not particularly pleasing to the olfactory organs – but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I went on a guided walk around Little India yesterday and our first stop was an elaborate Hindu temple. I had to put on a robe to even enter and of course, no footwear was allowed either. The temple was intricately designed and had two beautiful hanging chandeliers. I always find temples quite peaceful and apparently so do the patrons because half of them were asleep on the floor. On our walk toward two more temples in the center of town, we passed a huge laughing Buddha. You’re supposed to rub his belly, shoulders, back, and head for good luck and then stick your hands in your pockets to transfer the luck to yourself. I made sure to rub all good luck parts except for his head because I couldn’t reach it.

The first temple we came to in the city center was a Hindu temple where we watched part of a ceremony taking place. The second temple was the Temple of the Goddess of Mercy, which is known for its fortune telling capabilities. You’re supposed to shake a canister full of sticks until just one stick falls out. Then you throw these two things that look like red lips on the floor until you get a ying and yang (until they are facing the opposite way). After you bring your stick to the desk, they give you your fortune. I realized as the man handed me the slip of paper that I hadn’t even asked a question about my future. I had gotten so caught up in shaking the canister that I’d completely forgotten to focus on a question. Nevertheless, my fortune turned out to be good and bad. It predicted that things would change at a later date that would prove more lucky and promising. However, I was also told that travelers will face difficulties and it won’t be easy to find the missing. Maybe I’m an extremist but I interpret that as I’m going to die and no one will find my body. It could also mean that I’ll lose a sock and I’ll forever only have one half of the pair. I don’t know how much I believe in fortunes anyway. I love the idea of them but I don’t know how much I buy into it. My skepticism doesn’t stop me though from hitting up fortune tellers, tarot card readers, and palm readers at every opportunity. By the way, Michelle, you’re going to have a girl – my fortune said so; unless it meant that I’m going to have a girl. Either way, a girl will be born.

I sampled some local ice cream after learning of my bad luck. Our guide suggested we try Durian, a local flavor, so I took her up on that suggestion. It was obviously a cruel joke because Durian is one of the foulest tastes I’ve ever come in contact with. The smell alone is enough of a deterrent to keep you away forever, nevermind the taste. I ended up throwing it out. I should have just gone with my old standby, mint chocolate chip. It never disappoints.

I took a bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this morning. It was the only bus I’ve ever been on that left exactly on time. 9:00am on the dot, we pulled out of the bus station. Actually, it was 8:59am. Singaporeans are so efficient. They even gave me a bottle of water upon check-in. Now that is service.

The seats on the bus couldn’t have been any nicer. They were roomy, had plenty of leg room, reclined, and had footrests. It was like sitting in first class on an airplane. The bus’s only downfall was that it lacked a toilet and undoubtedly once I noticed this omission I had to pee immediately. We stopped not longer after to have our passports stamped and I was able to relieve myself. I was careful not to drink too much after because I didn’t know how many more stops we’d make during the 7-hour bus ride.

The bus stopped for customs and immigration on our way out of Singapore and on our way in to Malaysia. The customs officer in Singapore asked me if I was coming back to Singapore. I said “no” but as I walked away I wondered if she meant “ever” as in “Are you ever coming back to Singapore?” or in other words “Did you like Singapore enough to visit us again?” I had said “no” rather firmly and I wonder if my admission that I would not be returning was an insult.

I arrived in Malaysia today around 4:30 and found my hostel quickly. It was right across from the bus station. The Let’s Go guide had highly recommended the hostel I booked myself into, Pudu Hostel, but I cannot for the life of me see why. The place is an absolute dump and I decided to stay only two nights in KL instead of the three I was planning on. My four-person dorm is the size of a shoebox, and I don’t even want to go near the mattress, nevermind sleep on it. I suppose I’ll cram all of my sightseeing in tomorrow and then hightail it to Thailand.