February 10

Singapore

Very little sleep but I woke at the normal time and followed my usual path to The Sidewalk. At 08.25 only the usual stall was open so I had the usual sort of breakfast, chicken, noodles, pickled vegetables and tea.

The train took me to the gloriously named Beauty World station, where there was nothing much to look at. Over the main road, however, along a smart suburban road was the entrance to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.   Left: What a name for a station

I joined LOTS of others - what do you expect on a Sunday morning in Singapore - and stopped at the chalet to change into shorts. It seemed the right sort of venue in which to wear them, unlike most of the of the island.

Through the posh houses	I joined lots of others in the Reserve
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve	A previous resident

Inside the building was a display of the local wildlife, including a couple of stuffed tigers. It didn't say if either of these was the last one shot in Singapore in the 1930s. Recent research tells me that the famous one shot in Raffles in 1902 had actually escaped from a circus!

I started up the path, which was steep and hard going. Luckily there were shelters at intervals in which to rest. I found a large gathering by the side of the path, with lots of children pointing excitedly at 2 ½ monkeys. The adults were sitting to attention and the baby was doing nothing very much.

The path continued uphill, although the gradient eased. Eventually, the route split. 540m along the path or 150m up the steps. I chose the easy option and wound my way gently to the summit.

At the top was a shelter, a notice on a rock and lots of people. The whole area was surrounded by trees. There was also an old building, fenced off and labelled. I think it must have been a place of execution in WWII.

I came down via the steps, which were steep and uneven. I'm glad I didn't try to go up them.

The way down was hard on the legs but easy on the lungs. I found a large lizard (or similar) fossicking by the side of the path but no more monkeys.

Back to the posh houses ...	... with some less posh locals

I stopped again at the entrance, then slowly walked back towards the station, looking at the posh houses and also at a couple of monkeys up a tree. In spite of its reputation, Singapore has a reasonable amount of wildlife.

	I had thought of walking along the Green Corridor today, this being the line of the old railway to Malaysia but there was no map available so it seemed complicated. It crossed the road I was on, however, so I climbed the steps to have a look. Now I know where it is, I can try it on my next visit.
The Green Corridor	Stuffed chapatis

It being after 12 and also after about 5k, I sought lunch in an Indian food court. Chapatis stuffed with vegetables and a ginger and lime drink. Too much potato and sweet corn in the chapati to be good for me but the drink had lots of ginger and not much (if any) added sugar.

A short (I thought) walk along the main road is the Former Ford Factory. This turned out to 20 minutes, uphill, in the afternoon heat and humidity alongside a busy main road. It was a great relief to encounter the large sign.

A long walk along a boring road	Formerly the Ford Car Factory

The car factory was used for the signing of the surrender following the Japanese invasion in 1942. It now houses a museum detailing the Japanese conquest and its aftermath. I have been to similar displays and they all emphasise that whilst the Japanese treatment of the Europeans was deplorable, their treatment of the Chinese was infinitely worse.

I left in sombre mood, crossed the main road with difficulty, and caught a bus. I wasn't too bothered about its destination so sat in comfort while it passed through lots of smart suburbs and then hit Orchard Road in the midst of the Sunday afternoon shopping rush. Progress wasn't fast.

I finally got off at Doby Ghaut, took the train to City Hall and walked the short distance to The Sidewalk, which was packed with young people, for a much needed cold Tiger.

Back at the hotel, I rested for a couple of hours, largely to remove the lack of sleep and the long hot walks from my system. I finally showered and emerged into the outside world. Being a Sunday, it was busy, particularly in the parts of the area which comprise Little Burma, where everyone congregates in the evening.

I returned to Purvis Street in search of dinner. Cin Cin was packed, it normally is, I didn't want to return to Jai Thai so settled on the other Thai, two doors down the street. It was suspiciously empty but I won't know if that is justified until I have eaten.

I hadn't been there long when another large party started to arrive. It was a large group of locals having a New Year get together.

My food was interesting. Lots of flavours and enough heat to keep me awake. I was good and drank tea not beer.

Another good Thai dish	Picnic on the Padang

I walked down to the Padang and found no sport but an extension of the Burmese Sunday picnic.

I arrived at The Sidewalk to find a reasonable amount of space so had a papaya and a coffee - condensed milk but no sugar. Very enjoyable.

Back in my room, I packed my bags, trying to work out what to put in which and debating whether to pack my passports and leave them with the porters or to take them with me. I chose the latter so hope I don't lose my camera bag.