Sunny Singapore

Once again, I made the pivotal journey down to Singapore to get some back-to-school shopping done, but this time it was a very short visit since the main reason I went was to actually take one of the last few train rides heading into, and out of, the historic Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. The last time I took a long-haul train ride was when I was six, heading to Penang, so I obviously didn't realise how uncomfortable it would be for a full grown, twenty-year-old me. I managed to get the sleepers cabin, which was alright I guess; I'd much rather just take the Aeroline bus to Singapore (it's cheaper, faster and much more comfortable) the next time I go. I kept on waking up in the middle of the night because the coach was always swaying (violently at times) from side to side, increasing the risk of me being thrown out of the top bunk. When I couldn't go back to sleep in fear of tumbling to the floor, I relied on my trusty Blackberry for Twitter updates and Facebook feeds before I grew bored enough to just stare into the ceiling til my eyes grew heavy. One big advantage, though, of taking the night train, is being able to wake up to one of the most beautiful sunrises while crossing over the Causeway. It was practically the best start to what would turn out to be a very exhausting day.











Tanjong Pagar is quite the little gem - a small, colonial building tucked amidst the towering Singapore City skyscrapers - that is unfortunately unkempt and bordering on dilapidated. As I stepped off the train, I was taken aback at how run down the station was - weeds had started to grow from the cracks on the platform, the iron gates that separated the platform from the arrival hall were rusting, office windows were either missing or broken, the walls grimy with dirt and moss. It was heartbreaking, really, to see the state that it was left in, even before it had officially ceased its operations. One would think that a building of its historic stature would be given a grand send off during its last few days, alas, that proved not to be true. However, the minute I went outside it was a whole different ballgame. On the station's facade, four breathtaking allegorical marble reliefs of Agriculture, Industry, Commerce and Transport, depicting sectors of Malaya's colonial economy and designed by the skillful Rudolfo Nolli, stand tall above the entrance hall. The exterior was reminiscent of the neo-classical European architecture, as it was greatly influenced by the Helsinki Central Railway Station; a stark contrast to the surrounding modern apartment buildings and glass-faced office blocks. It was such a sight to look at, I honestly didn't mind so much waiting half an hour for a cab - it just so happened that we arrived smack dab in the middle of the morning rush hour - and the rays from the rising sun seemed to hit the facade just right.

















After finally hailing an empty cab, I made my way to the Grand Hyatt on Scotts Road (which is my hotel of choice whenever I go to Singapore, the fresh berry yoghurt that they serve at the Business Lounge for breakfast is to die for!) to drop my bags off and freshen up. Now, after this there really isn't much for me to talk about except that Singapore sales are absolutely dangerous for me to be around. The entire day was spent along Orchard Road, weaving in and out of the massive crowds of people in the underpass between Ion and Tang; hopping from one Forever 21 & Cotton On to another; raiding Muji again for their stationery and to pick up my membership card; greeting the midday sun outside of Wisma Atria after being confined in the complex pathways between malls for hours; taking a leisurely stroll down the street and deciding that Orchard Road was one of my favourite places in the world; stopping for a quick sugar fix at Cold Stone Creamery; then heading back to the hotel on the opposite side of the street where I stood agog infront of the Gucci store at Paragon wishing that I could just waltz in, pick out a handbag and sashay out of the store with it a few minutes later. It was a very satisfying shopping day - I managed to score some amazing deals thanks to the sales - and you could very well say I was exhausted by the end of it. By 6pm I was back in the hotel room packing up all my stuff and calling for room service because I was way too lazy to head out again for food.















I took my time having dinner since I still had time to spare before I had to be back at the train station, so I switched on CNN while I ate. For some odd reason, CNN is very comforting whenever I'm in a hotel room. I hardly ever change the channel even if there was Harry Potter on HBO or something equally as good. It's one of those little rituals that I do whenever I enter a hotel room, and I guess it's also something I do in memory of my late granddad who was always my favourite travel companion (: It was a perfect end to an extremely hectic day, especially since I had to endure another sleepless eight-hour bumpy train ride home. Singapore has yet to see the last of me. Besides, isn't H&M opening in September?


Up next: Urbanscapes 2011!