Friday, September 22, 2006

The Big Dip

Malaysia had lovely people, cheap food and great beaches/landscape. Now I am back in London, the realities of final year which were pushed aside during the elective are apparent. The academic job posts are out, three weeks before the deadline (how generous of them). I stared at the form in disbelief. In essence if you don't have a distinction, 1st in your Bsc (if you possess one), publication, and have ever retaken any exam during the MBBS don't apply. The powers that be must be trying to encourage more undergrads to pursue the academic route to replace the exodus to the States and retirees. They probably don't want to compromise the high standards. I am sure I speak for myself and other colleagues when I say we would be lucky to satisfy even some of the criteria for an academic post. There lies the dilemma, submit a rushed rubbish application just in case you can get your 150th choice or don't bother and apply for the non academic posts by December 2006. Answers on a postcard please....

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Day 3

Another early start to explore Little India. First stop Sri Veeramakaliamman temple then the largest mosque in Sgp, Sultan Mosque. Pagoda street in Chinatown with it's colourful buildings, lively atmosphere and street stalls. I passed by the Chinatown heritage centre and the gopuram (tower) of Sri Mariamman temple with its decorated flowers and deities. I took the MRT up to Kranji war memorial. I was dying of thirst and after getting a drink from the vending machine, I realised I had to sit outside the station in order to consume it! The memorial houses the graves of allied troops who died during WWII and almost 25,000 men and women's' names are inscribed on the walls. Raffles Hotel and museum, synonymous with luxury, was the final stop.

Pros: so safe, cheap clothes and electronics. Cons: Possibly too much shopping, rules ( no eating or drinking on MRT, fines for not using pedestrian crossings, smoking, dropping litter, chewing gum...)

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Day 2

My impromptu tour guide and I left early for the Botanical Gardens. It houses over 600,000 botanical specimens and the National Orchid Garden was beatiful. As it was saturday there were lots of tourists and locals jogging. We drove to Sentosa Island off the south coast, an artificial beach complete with ongoing construction work. I rode on the travellator at Underwater world, a moving walkway through the tanks and touched fish in the touch pool. I felt the urge to return to age 5 and unfortunately there was little time to see the Dolphin lagoon after having coffee overlooking the island. We took a sky ride to the resort and walked Palawan beach with both tourist and local families. Sgp is very family friendly, tourists less-child were few and far between. After a short ride back into town, I finally walked the famous Orchard road. It can only be described as shopping heaven. Women in Sgp are well dressed in individual sometimes quirky items. I stopped many times to stare at peoples' shoes or handbags, like a fashion vagabond. There is less trend following compared to the U.K. Designer brands line every shopping complex and believe me there are lots of them. Eating and shopping are big here. WARNING: If you like cheap clothes, bags, accesories or elecronics, do not visit Sgp. I missed the shuttle bus to the night safari in my hunt for bargains. After boarding a later bus to the zoo, I was taken on a 3.2 km tram ride from the Himalayan foothills to equitorial Africa (sales talk?). Hyenas, leopards, deer and liond wandered the night. The night safari has won so many tourism awards and it is very unique. The creatures of the nights show meant a 20 minute q and squashing 600 spectators into an open auditorium to watch a 30 minute show featuring owls and racoons. The announcer's persistent crowd-banter was pedantic and perhaps an condescending attempt to appeal to the children in the audience. In summary the tram ride was miles better than the night show where people were filing out before he show had ended. After boarding the last coach back to he city centre, I was exhausted.

Monday, September 04, 2006

Day 1 Singapore

My exodus from Colombo was a 45 minute ride in a dilapidated van known as the Airport express (yes you) whose suspension had gone to car heaven a while back. I complained and threatened to ring the boss of the company so they only charged me half the price. Check-in at the airport was so slow. I arrived at Changi airport at 4a.m local time (8pm GMT) after a short comfortable flight complete with on demand entertainment and in flight meal. A porter at the airport drew directions on my fold out tourist map. He also wrote his number down in case I needed 'any help'. 1.....2.....3.....Aaaawwwwwwwwww, sweet. I got the MRT (mass rail transit system) from the airport to Burgis, the stop near Little India. I figured I could get a cab to my hostel. The MRT's atmosphere in rush hour is akin to London, expressionless workers dreading the work day ahead. Some travelers have described Sgp as sterile and soulless. The MRT and the city is spotless. I can see my reflection in windows and pure marble platforms and I like the air conditioned, reliable trains.

On arrival at the accommodation I realise it is very close to Little India station. Duh! My room is 180 cm by 180cm and I am not exaggerating but at least I have a fan. What more can you ask for for 20 Singapore dollars (SD) a night? Well a lounge, internet area and free buffet breakfast. The initial shock drove a knee jerk run for the exit with my bags in tow. After some hyperventilating, I reasoned I could spend the money I save on enjoying the sites and attractions. The rooms are clean and the showers hot. One advantage of the box closet room is I spend my days out so I just come back to sleep.

I slept then ventured into a camera shop in Sim Lim Square, searching for an adapter. So I'm sitting in some camera shop, getting directions to the best sites drawn on my map and some old man says I should consider working as a Dr in Sgp. The kind owner offered to charge my run down canon battery for me after I bought a 2 SD adapter. It was supposed to be for half an hour but after chatting gadgets, top tourist sites and about the expense of London vs Sgp he offered me a soft drink. People are so nice. I pass St Andrew's Cathedral, City Hall, the old Art House and Sir Stamford Raffles' Landing Site. Next the Colonial district past Clarke Quay, Merlion, the Fullerton Hotel and the river. My mini museum tour starts 20 mins before 7pm so the curator lets me in free . My first stop, the Asian Civilisations Museum where 3 levels take you through South Asian inventions, religion, the colonial era and medieval India. Second stop Sgp Art Museum where most exhibits were closed for renovation. I take an evening boat tour of Singapore and stop at Merlion Park to take photos. Singapore is so safe but I get a cab back to my 'hotel' as it's at the end of a long road. It costs the equivalent of 2 GBP.