Fish Tales

Got caught without my umbrella during a quick stop in Chinatown. All sunny and blue skies ten minutes before snapping this shot with my phone… the weather changes quickly in Singapore.

Staying dry under an awning

When I arrived in Singapore, someone told me the two national pastimes are eating and shopping. I remember thinking to myself, “of course, both indoor activities away from the heat”. 

I’m consistently amazed at number of shopping malls here… it seems there’s one on nearly every corner. Just by my apartment, there are three shopping centers: United Square, Novena Square and Novena Square 2. And each houses more than 100 stores. Busy stores.

To help attract customers, they often sponsor ‘events’ on the weekends. I’ve seen everything from 8-ball tournaments to remote-controlled car racing to beauty pageants. This weekend, the nearby malls hosted an ice skating performance, break-dancing competition and a princess photo opportunity for kids. 

The break-dancing competition featured Last for One, a South Korean crew who won the World break-dancing tournament in 2005. Not something you see everyday.

Shopping malls are an experience in Singapore. Not just a destination.

Break-Dancing @ Novena Square 2

Ice Skating @ Novena Square

Photos with the Faries @ United Square

I walked home from work today. It doesn’t sound like a long distance at 1.5 miles, but it felt like at least 3 with the heat and humidity factored in. My work clothes and laptop bag probably contributed some too. But, with it being such a beautiful day it didn’t really matter that my shirt was practically glued to my back, with sweat as the adhesive.

Halfway home is the Newton Hawker Center. It’s a large open-air, partially covered market containing about 80 food stalls. There are ten “must try” dishes listed at the entrance: fried carrot cake, bak kut teh (pork ribs), chicken rice, chili crab, char kway teow (flat rice noodles), laksa (noodles in coconut milk with seafood), rojak (salad with dough fritters), fish head curry, roti prata and satay.

I opted for the pork satay this time (I’ve already had the chicken rice and char kway teow). It didn’t disappoint, especially the peanut-chili dipping sauce. The hawker imposed a minimum order of ten sticks. I managed.

Newton Hawker Centre

I had to try it. Ever since I was a kid I thought it would be cool to swing across the jungle from vine to vine. Like Tarzan. Well, my first attempt failed today. The vine broke halfway thru my swing and fell on my head.

Need to lose some weight.

Yum, yum, yum. A spontaneous dinner stop tonight revealed a tasty, little stall in the Paragon basement. A long line generally is a positive sign of good eats… and the accompanying, nearly mesmerizing smell emanating from the grill persuaded me to take my place in line. After reaching the front, I settled on a bento-like box containing two chicken yakitori sticks and two chicken-ball sticks. They were both fantastic, but the chicken-balls were unique and easily the best (I ended up ordering two more). They had a mild sausage-type flavor made with minced meat and vegetables coupled with sweet teriyaki/tare glaze.

I’ll be visiting again soon.

Hand grilled chicken yakitori

Tori-Q Japanese Yakitori

I finally found a descent sausage in Singapore. At the Bratwurst Shop in the Singapura Plaza basement. It wasn’t the best ever, or even close to that… but it sure beat anything I’ve eaten so far. I ordered the spicy beef & pork with sauerkraut on a toasted bun. It was supposed to be garnished with spicy mustard, yet it was just plain yellow. Anyway, I’ll take what I can get, especially when most of the sausage on this island is bland, spongy and made with chicken. Compared to that, average seems great.

Still, I’m sure missing my favorite Portland sausage places: Good Dog-Bad Dog, Edelweiss Deli and Gustav’s.

Spicy beef & pork sausage

Stall in Plaza Singapura basement

Well, not the most perfect spoon ever. But for sure the best one I’ve seen on a construction site. Since it was about 90 degrees coupled with sunshine and high humidity, I’m surprised they didn’t want to separate a bit. Two twin crates, rather than the pushed-together double. Anyway, they were completely out, one stage away from drooling on the pillow wooden box. Hopefully neither has jimmy-legs…

Slacking on the job

I’m still getting used to seeing Christmas decorations in Singapore. It just doesn’t feel like the traditional, festive Holiday season when it’s 85 degrees and sunny outside. Everything looks very nice, but so, so out of place. Palm trees growing next to decorated trees, holly hanging from tropical branches, and Santa standing on fake snow that’s not melting… all examples of preparing for Christmas one degree from the equator. 

Christmas tree @ United Square by my apartment

There were more Lamborghinis parked in front of the Singapore Hilton than you could shake a stick at. Not that you would want sticks anywhere near these beauties… but, they might do less damage than pedestrians and on-lookers. One woman posed for a photo and actually leaned against the car. And she had metal snaps on the back of her jeans! A few minutes later I saw a dad with his two boys getting ready for a photo. Unfortunately, the boys were literally sliding against the car trying to get in position. One of them was wearing a backpack with zippers everywhere. Anyway, I would really hate to see what these cars looked like at the end of the day.

After seeing 30+ Lamborghinis in one place, I’m convinced Singapore has the most Lamborghinis per capita than any other country. Well, maybe Italy, but I’m not so sure anymore.

Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster (I think)

A line of Lamborghini Gallardos

Murciélago Special Edition - stealth black matte paint

Got the utility bill today. $182.37 ($120.42 USD). Not bad, considering the total includes electric, gas, water, garbage and all the taxes and service fees. Why is there a negative gas charge? Guess I’ll find out next month. Anyway, it’s sure convenient to have everything on one bill.

I like to convince myself that I’m more “green” in Singapore. I’ve got on-demand hot water heaters in each bathroom. I use the on-off switches on the electrical outlets to avoid phantom power use. I have reusable grocery bags. I don’t own a car and rely on public transportation (okay, I’ve been getting lazy and taking a taxi most mornings).

But, then I remember about the air-conditioning unit running. A lot. That doesn’t feel so eco-friendly. And recycling just doesn’t happen in Singapore. It pains me every time I throw an aluminum can in the trash. I get this guilty feeling like I’m littering. And worst of all, there seems to be an affinity for plastic bags in Singapore. I have to stop the checkers from putting individual items in small plastic bags intended for larger plastic bags. The fast food restaurants put drink cups in small plastic bags. Fries go into another plastic bag. Then everything goes into another plastic bag. Seriously, a regular take-away meal could net three or four plastic bags. 

I’m not so green after all…

Takes about 5 minutes to heat enough water for a shower.

Switch-on when needed