Despite everything that I enjoyed about Singapore, the city had its share of overrated attractions. If I were doing it again, I might have skipped:
The Singapore Sling: The city’s eponymous drink is a fizzy concoction of gin, cherry brandy, club soda and pineapple juice. It was invented at the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel, and that’s where we went to try it. Once a hangout for Singapore’s expat elite (including my beloved Somerset Maugham), the bar now attracts crowds of tourists willing to cough up a whopping 25 Singapore dollars for the cocktail.Perhaps it’s the fault of the bar’s industrial volume, but it was hard to see the drink’s appeal. The gin was undetectable, and it tasted like nothing so much as a Shirley Temple. And once it was gone, I wasn’t going to cough up the dough for another drink. On the other hand, the supply of peanuts was unlimited — and you’re basically required to throw the shells on the floor.- The Night Safari: I’ve never been a “zoo person,” but the Singapore Night Safari came highly recommended. Despite the name, this is really a zoo, albeit one for nocturnal animals only. Unfortunately, this means that it is dark, verging on pitch-black, and thus difficult to see the animals you’re there to watch. We also made the mistake of taking the tram — you’d see more walking at your own pace. Although the bat cage was cool — they were easily within touching distance as they flew around our heads — unless you’re a zoo fanatic, I’d give this one a miss. (No photo because, well, it’s hard to take pictures in the dark.)
- Chinatown: After visiting Chinatowns in Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Penang, Singapore’s was a bit of a disappointment. The main area around Temple, Pagoda and Smith streets is a Disneyfied version of its former self. Unless you’re in the market for cheap-yet-still-overpriced tchotchkes, I would confine your visit to the wonderful Chinatown Heritage Center (mentioned in my previous post on Singapore) and then head to the Maxwell Road Food Center for a snack.
The real biggest disappointment of the trip, however, was something that I wasn’t able to do: sample Singapore’s famous chilli crabs. The friend that I was visiting is vegetarian, and I couldn’t find anyone else who was up for a trip to try this legendary delicacy. I guess I’ll have to make a return trip after all…
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