From Delhi, India to Singapore - not sure if I can think of a more drastic difference in environment than these two. From dirt to absolute cleanliness like you have never seen before. If I could describe Singapore in one word it would be 'Immaculate'. Everything there is clean, orderly and extremely efficient! The public transport runs perfectly - no food or drink allowed on it or you get fined SGD $500. The unemployment rate is ridiculously low, education is widely available to everyone and most of the people speak English quite well. Drugs is also punishable by death and as a result the crime rate is very low. The country is extremely developed and advanced, more than any country I've ever seen. It was such a shock to be there after India.
When I got off the plane, the airport blew me away in terms of how spacious, clean and modern it was. There were computers everywhere with free Internet, free water and everything just seemed so easy and convenient! And I knew it was not because I just came from India. Taking the shuttle from the airport to my hostel I gazed out the window at the view of the tall sky scrapers, the water, the Singapore Flyer and thought wow what an incredible city! It felt a bit unreal, as if I was in a dream. I did find it a bit fake however, almost too perfect and somehow lacked character. There were malls on every corner and life here seemed to revolve around money, work and shopping!
I arrived in a 26 bedroom dorm hostel in the city center called River City Inn where I stayed for 5 nights. It was near to where my American friend Brendan lived and worked so made it easy to meet up with him and I was also close to the tourist activities. Traveling alone doesn't feel as uncomfortable when you stay in hostels as it's easier to meet people and at this hostel I met many people from Scotand, Canada, Japan and England. I felt a bit old though as most people who travel are early 20s and still in school. I met Brendan that evening for dinner and he treated me to a nice steak meal. It was the second best steak I ever tasted, and this was after not eating meat for 6 weeks! It felt a bit heavy to digest but it was delicious. My body was screaming for protein after India.
Later on, he showed me around Clarke Quay which is a big tourist area on the water with lots of lights, action, bars and good nightlife. Singapore has many fun things to do like theme park Universal Studios and night safari etc. I didn't want to waste money on these things as everything seemed expensive after India so I stuck to simple activities that didn't cost too much.
The next morning I took the bus to the Botanical Gardens which was free and beautiful. You would never think you were in a big city being there - lots of lakes, green everywhere, trees, orchid garden and waterfalls. Many families and couples came here for picnics. There was one couple newly married having their photo shoot done as well. I have an obsession with taking photos of flowers so I was in heaven there snapping away at the beautiful orchids which is Singapore's national flower.
On my way back, I missed my bus stop and got lost, started walking and ended up in China Town so I had a meal there. Traveling alone has forced me to slowly become comfortable with eating alone and doing things independently which I think is a good experience for anyone. I'm not sure I can do the movie theater alone yet but I'll get there one day.
The next day Brendan took me to his office and I met coworkers who are linked to DTCC, the company I worked for the last 6 years. We had lunch and I kept telling him how lovely Singapore was. Later that day he randomly asked me if I wanted a job in Singapore for an Client Onboarding position which he was recruiting for. A position I had 5 years experience with and connections to the joint venture company in the US. It was also paying better than my previous job.
He took me that night to the top of Sky Bar, the tallest roof bar in the world and pointed out all the places in Singapore while offering me the package. I was jumping up and down in excitement to be given such an amazing opportunity - to live and work in Singapore one of the most developed countries in the world where finance is booming. It seemed too good to be true but I didn't jump to a decision right away. I needed to do my research and so he gave me a week and a half to decide. This opportunity threw my traveling really off balance as I was constantly battling in my head with the pros and cons. My heart and my head were not in sync. My head told me 'Take the job, it's an opportunity of a lifetime for work, travel, saving money, meeting new people and learning a new culture'. My heart on the other hand was telling me 'Melanie, you have wanted to move home for years - you will be happier there around friends and family and your love. Follow your heart, it knows what's best for you'.
I knew this was going to be extremely difficult choice especially because I have been living away so long 12 years and the last year and half I have been in a long distance relationship with someone in Trinidad. I tried to continue with my travels and prayed to God everyday that he would give me a sign on what he wanted me to do. This was the last thing I expected to happen and I knew my life could go in such different directions through this one decision. Whatever choice I made, I knew I couldn't look back and regret. Only look forward! Embrace the challenge of the choice made and make the most of it.
That night on my way back to the hostel I helped a Japanese girl carry her suitcase up three flights of stairs to the dorms. We ended up talking and hung out together for the rest of my time in Singapore. I couldn't pronounce her name so I called her T. She was very gentle and sweet. I spent days with her and never felt the need to talk all the time. There was something about her where we hung out in silence and it wasn't ever awkward. She had just got a job in Singapore and moved from Japan. If I take the job, we agreed to get a place to live together. We both walked around the city and Boat Quay having meals together. I tried the Singapore dish Laksa which is a spicy noodle soup. We also went on top of Marina Bay Sands Hotel where there is an infinity pool high up overlooking the entire center city of Singapore. It was beautiful! We also visited the Merlion which is the symbol of Singapore.
At this point I had ten days left till I meet Karen in Bangkok on June 18th. I needed to decide what I would do with my time. It was a liberating feeling deciding where I would visit next as I didn't have to factor in anyone else's opinions. I thought of Bali and Malaysia but in the end I chose Thailand islands as it was closer and cheaper. I really wanted to be on a beach so I could relax and think about my decision.
I booked my flight to Phucket, Thailand where I planned to get a ferry to Koh Phi Phi island. This was going to be my first time being completely on my own and not knowing anyone at all. It was scary but exciting as well. I had five things to accomplish there: meet new people, relax, go to Maya beach, have fun and decide on the job!
When I got off the plane, the airport blew me away in terms of how spacious, clean and modern it was. There were computers everywhere with free Internet, free water and everything just seemed so easy and convenient! And I knew it was not because I just came from India. Taking the shuttle from the airport to my hostel I gazed out the window at the view of the tall sky scrapers, the water, the Singapore Flyer and thought wow what an incredible city! It felt a bit unreal, as if I was in a dream. I did find it a bit fake however, almost too perfect and somehow lacked character. There were malls on every corner and life here seemed to revolve around money, work and shopping!
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| Hostel - River City Inn |
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| Clarke Quay |
Later on, he showed me around Clarke Quay which is a big tourist area on the water with lots of lights, action, bars and good nightlife. Singapore has many fun things to do like theme park Universal Studios and night safari etc. I didn't want to waste money on these things as everything seemed expensive after India so I stuck to simple activities that didn't cost too much. 
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| Married couple Gardens |
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| Orchid - national flower |
On my way back, I missed my bus stop and got lost, started walking and ended up in China Town so I had a meal there. Traveling alone has forced me to slowly become comfortable with eating alone and doing things independently which I think is a good experience for anyone. I'm not sure I can do the movie theater alone yet but I'll get there one day.
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| Brendan's coworkers |
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| Brendan & I on top Sky Bar |
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| Infinity Pool - Marina Bay Hotel |
I knew this was going to be extremely difficult choice especially because I have been living away so long 12 years and the last year and half I have been in a long distance relationship with someone in Trinidad. I tried to continue with my travels and prayed to God everyday that he would give me a sign on what he wanted me to do. This was the last thing I expected to happen and I knew my life could go in such different directions through this one decision. Whatever choice I made, I knew I couldn't look back and regret. Only look forward! Embrace the challenge of the choice made and make the most of it.
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| Merlion - Singapore Trademark |
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| Laksa - Malay & Singapore dish |
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| Add Boat Quay with T |
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| View from Marina Bay Hotel |
I booked my flight to Phucket, Thailand where I planned to get a ferry to Koh Phi Phi island. This was going to be my first time being completely on my own and not knowing anyone at all. It was scary but exciting as well. I had five things to accomplish there: meet new people, relax, go to Maya beach, have fun and decide on the job!
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