Adventures in Singapore: Chapter 12: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Outside the Chinatown Complex was the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum. We heard the drums and ventured over, we happened to be visiting during this Buddha’s birthday celebration.  Special services, gifts and offerings were made, and very abundantly.  Buddhist monks shared chants and drums as part of the ceremonies, a large congregation of practicing Buddhists were leaving the temple as we were entering, we had come in at the tail end of the service.  Visitors and photos were welcome and even encouraged, everyone was very kind as we were admiring the fine workmanship and intricacy of the details in the temple and statuary.  Enjoy the photos below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The lotus flowers on the wall below are silk embroidery.

And of course donations are always accepted.

Adventures in Singapore: Chapter 11: Chinatown

It is odd to note that Singapore has a ethnic district called Chinatown when it’s largest population is Chinese, this stems from back in the 1800’s while under British rule the Chinese were a minority.   

Chinatown is a fun market place to visit.  We found some great deals on stuff – especially souvenir-y stuff.  Deals like six key chains for $2 – unlike the one key chain I bought at Jurong bird park for $7 (although mine is quite nice and really I only needed one).   And good prices for stickers and trinkets – must have items for my nieces!

We started our visit in the Chinatown complex, the main indoor market place and food stands (food court like), I had my first whiff of Durian in the air – It was early – most shops were just opening - we stopped off  at a juice stand – fruit juiced – so many options – honey dew, dragon fruit, pineapple, watermelon, pear, apple, orange, passion fruit, even durian, and many more – some fruits I have never seen – great deal - $1 a drink – large too! we also had some delicious fried dough  - puffs and sticks. 

We did a lot of  looking, a little shopping, then out to the streets. 

Beautiful red lanterns fill the sky, running across the street from building to building.   The Baroque Italianate Victorian buildings were beautiful, brightly colored traditional details were like the  US’s painted ladies, at the street level there is shop after shop, encompassing a number of streets, intersecting one another, a maze of eateries, produce and dry goods,  massage parlors, tailors, and a myriad of items to buy.   The streets were filled with amazing sights, sounds of a busy market place and smells both delightful and others less appealing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adventures in Singapore: Chapter 10: Sentosa Island

We started the day with a yummy breakfast at a restaurant on Dempsey Road, an English place with a tropical flair – great shop! Delicious!  Jeff’s scrambled eggs toast and side bowl of bacon!  Fruit & yogurt for Emma

My order: Pancakes – literally cakes baked in a pan with mangos and topped with ice cream and cane syrup, with a nice side bowl of bacon

I mentioned in Chapter 9, Sentosa Island felt like Pinocchio's Pleasure Island.  See the picture from the movie on the right… look at the photos at the end of the post… Pleasure Island indeed!  Check out it’s website: http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/ Their slogan is “Sentosa: Asia’s Favorite Playground”  Play ground indeed… this trip into Sentosa we drove, you pay a admittance fee to drive onto the island – like an entrance toll, and parking fees are a standard Singapore feature (they are set up like ez-pass toll scanners) 

We already played around Imbiah Look out, our first stop was to Siloso Beach!   We didn’t intend to get in, although Jen brought the girls a change of clothes (and I did too!) I had to take a dip in the straight of Singapore!  (see the oil tankers in the background) The girls had fun too!  

 

Cleaned up and headed to the Amusement Park and Mall part of Sentosa

Lunch at a Swanky Chinese Restaurant just outside of the Theme Park

  Emma and Ethne are very good with chopsticks!

Our Feast! We tried many things, noodles, fried wonton like things and some of the best sweet and sour pork ever!

Singapore’s Famous Chili Crab

Jen loves steamed dumplings

 

Hershey Store – never that far from Hershey, PA

  Candylicious!

Then off to Universal Studios Singapore for some rides! http://www.rwsentosa.com/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore

The Girls love Characters! Woody Greats everyone at the park!  I have never been to an amusement park that was so empty, we were there mid week and well, summer is all year. Madagascar Merry Go RoundFar, Far, Away…. to Shrek’s house & castle

Ethne was just tall enough to go on a Roller Coaster!  She was brave!

  Jurassic Park

Another watering spot.  Our Favorite Ride!  We rode over and over again!

Weeeeeee!Soaking Jurassic Park River raft tour

The Mummy   

(Great ride inside, not for the kids, real fire… hottsy!) 

Ethne Driving the Egyptian Safari jeep – good driver – Emma refused to get it, she declared it a scary ride, so she watched.

Future Land  Tea Cups (space ships) the girls love this! – I managed to take pictures while we were spinning, right when the ride started! That is the look of glee!

New York City Scene 

We had NY Pizza for dinner on the way out as the park was closing.

Evening outside, but we aren’t done yet… next stop…

Hershey Store and Candylicious for some very important shopping!

  

Exhausted from a very fun day on “Pleasure Island”

Sentosa: Asia’s Favorite Playground!