Singapore... Isn't that the way it should be? (backblogged)

Okay, back to a little business of blogging...Sorry we've been enjoying ourselves so much that we just haven't felt like being trapped inside, but now here you go a backup blog of: SINGAPORE, Isn't that the way it should be…

We arrived in the Sinless city on a Friday afternoon, ready to see this booming island city of almost 5 million. Singapore can either be thought of as a Utopia or Sterileville. We found our mix of both as we plodded around in our sweat filled Chacos. It was a great place to get around and see the sites, by far the most organized place we'll find in Asia. We started off our time with a little jaunt around Little India, and then joined the expats for Friday night Happy Hour on the river in the business district; everybody needs at least one Singapore Sling right? We could hardly tell that business was hurting at all by the amount of alcohol swilling and business men dealing that we saw. Afterwards we strolled around town to see the night life enjoying river walks under a full moon, and blinking neon lights. The city maybe clean, but it is alive and bustling.

On Saturday, after the beautiful orchid gardens, we partook in true Singaporean traveler affair and went shopping, for running shoes, I know sacrilegious to Chacos, but Hales wanted to go for a run, and was scared of leeches in Borneo. (Her Chacos promptly gave her a blister as penance, but they did come in handy in Borneo and probably will for our trek in the Himalayas starting on Sunday.) After shopping we went to SENTOSA!!! When we went in search of an ultimate game on the beach, we left instead with jaw dropping shock of Wallyworld in the making. Sentosa is trying to becoming the playground of Singapore with casinos, rollercoasters, $12 beers, the beach, and Segway rides. It's only just in the beginning of construction, but is due to be done in a 2011. It may bring some sins into the city, but I think it'll also increase the plastic of the place by tensfold.

Our true highlight was the zoo and night safari. The Singapore Zoo is impressive with multitudes of different animals for all over living almost free range. If the orangutans weren’t fed well, I’m sure they just swing right out of the place, as they seem to go everywhere in the zoo now. It’s no wonder it has won numerous awards, and is extremely forward moving, they are even teaching the polar bears to like the tropics. (This might come in handy in the future.) After seeing all the animals of Asia and beyond, contemplating getting our nasty Chaco feet munched on by fish and getting told that Hayley couldn’t take home a pigmy hippo we crossed the street to go to the world’s first NIGHT SAFARI! While waiting for it to get dark we were *enchanted* by Borneo tribes men and their fire blowing customs, and blow dart balloon popping skills. Once the sky began to darken, we began ourtrip into the night of the animals. We chose to start with walking trails as we didn’t want to get caught up in the hustle of everyone trying to catch the first train around the park. We were quickly rewarded with a face to face meeting with a Malaysian Tiger. Never have I been happier to see 1” thick glass. After our close encounter with the tiger we saw some super happy otters, and the world’s largest bat that almost mistook Hayley’s hair for a great snack. After two hours of walking among the animals we decided we were finally leaving behind the hyenas and went to hitch ourselves onto the kiddy train, which explores the unwalkable portions of the park. As cheesy as the kiddy cars were it was awesome to see the elephants eating at night, giraffes nuzzling, and lions waiting for the lionesses to bring them their food, but as the guide said to us in her parting words, “Isn’t that the way it should be.” I laughed and agreed; Hayley’s comments and reaction have been censored on comprise for her to leave the island without a caneing. It was our time anyway.