Singapore “The City of Professionals”

Even in my last trip to Singapore I really felt the this city is too much into professionalism and materialism. Majority of people don’t have much time for family and socializing (Socializing in Indian perspective). They almost busy with education company and building their economical growth. I have (Insha Allah) decided to write an article about “Plastic Bonded Knowledge Worker and Modern Economy” soon but now will comeback to Carlton hotel to continue our trip.

Right after checked in the hotel we decided to take a bath, the Hotel pool was ready to serve us and we headed for a plunge.

Shad preparing for a plunge

നീരാടുവാന്‍ നിളയില്‍ നീരാടുവാന്‍
നീരാടുവാന്‍ നിളയില്‍ നീരാടുവാന്‍
നീയെന്തേ വൈകി വന്നു പൂന്തിങ്കളേ
നീയെന്തേ വൈകി വന്നു പൂന്തിങ്കളേ

After taking a nice bath we off to Raffle studio to collect my Graduation Regalia. This is the dress which Grandaunts wear during their Ceremony. Finding places and all was very easy since we had three GPS Gadgets. Prior to the trip I have marked all the decided places in order to ensure a smooth travel.

We decided to have our Lunch before starting. Searched for some restaurants near to the Carlton. I was trying to find some “Vegetarian”. It is not because of I am a vegetarian but when I am travelling. I always prefer Veg or Something Fishy.

Unfortunately we did not locate any Veg in Proximity. We found Subway Restaurant and decided to have some fish sandwiches.

Subway at Raffles City (Woman are dress less everywhere)

We took a taxi and told the driver to head to Raffles Studio to collect Regalia

Address of Raffles Studio
324 King George's Avenue
King George's Building
Singapore 208566

I paid 40 SG$ as rent and 200 SG$ as deposit and collected my Regalia. Now we have to look for a Masjid. We did not prayed Juma since we are travelers as per sunna the Juma Khuthba is not obligatory. We searched our GPS and found the Masjid near by.
Malabar Muslim Jama-ath Masjid (Mosque). (മലബാര്‍ മുസ്ലിം ജമാഅത്ത് മസ്ജിദ്).

Of course Malabarees every where . Definitely the world can’t afford to live with our Malayalees(Malabarees)

In side of Malabar Muslim Jama-ath Masjid (Mosque). (മലബാര്‍ മുസ്ലിം ജമാഅത്ത് മസ്ജിദ്)

Malabar Muslim Jama-ath Masjid (Mosque). (മലബാര്‍ മുസ്ലിം ജമാഅത്ത് മസ്ജിദ്) from outside

Singapore streets “Neat and Clean”. Part of the professionalism

We waited for a while and head back to our Hotel by a public Bus.

We noticed that People are always gloomy. No charm in anyone's face. As Shad said as if we visited a dead house (മരിച്ച വീട്).

No charm in any faces.

Now we have some time until morning 11:00 AM. We decided to visit some attraction in Singapore. When we back to the Hotel we found the Travel Desk, they are arranging attraction trips. We booked to Singapore Night Safari and head to room for a refresh.

Mustafa waiting in the travel desk

View from our room

Heading to Singapore Night Safari

Singapore Night Safari Labels being pasted on our T-Shirts

Singapore Night Safari
================

The Night Safari is the world's first nocturnal zoo and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore.

The concept of a nocturnal park in Singapore was mooted in the 1980s by the former executive chairman of the Singapore Zoo, Dr Ong Swee Law. Constructed at a cost of S$63 million, the Night Safari was officially opened on 26 May 1994 and occupies 40 hectares (0.4 km²) of secondary rainforest adjacent to the Singapore Zoo and Upper Seletar Reservoir.

The Night Safari currently houses a total of 1,040 animals of 120 species, of which 29% are threatened species. The zoo is managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, and about 1.1 million visitors visit the safari per year. The Night Safari received its 11 millionth visitor on 29 May 2007. Visits to these attractions can be purchased online at various sites including isango and Official Singapore Tourism

Our Guide Mr. Hong Him Kuang (Just a Singapore Name)

Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil ! Devil !

Full of devils there.

Unfortunately the authority did not allowed us to take photos of animals since we have to use the flash. But I managed to take some shots as follows

And that is it. No more flashy photos of animals

We back to city. And enquired our co-travelers about vegetarian restaurant. Since the time was 10:00 PM and almost all the businesses are closed. Finaly we found Komala’s Vegetarian restaurant. This was almost closed and requested to servve something for us. Finally they agreed

Komala’s Restaurant in Peninsula
http://www.komalasweb.com/

After the Dinner Back to Room by walking. Way is not a problem. GPS GPS GPS.

After a hot bath we fall to deeeeeeeeeeeeeep Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

ZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZz…………………………….

Coming up “Graduation 2010”

Until next episode …..

To Singapore

We have started our trip from Abu Dhabi on 14-Oct-2010 about 9:30 PM. 

Abdul Jaleel my Brother in law dropped us in to the airport.

 
Abdul Jaleel

I requested the window seat on my left side of the Air craft since the flight will be travelling towards East – South direction.  This will allow me to shoot some sun rising photos.  I managed to get the Left side window seat it was middle of the flight and the wings of aircraft was an obstacle in my shooting frame.

We checked-in immediately and try to shoot some video. 

The Police stop us and  requested (asked) to remove all the images clicked in the air port.

I have no choice but to delete.

After some time we found some Filipina girls taking photos and these police is not stopping.

I went to the officer and asked,  is Filipina allowed to take photos

He asked her to stop the filming but not requested to delete whatever she taken.

15-Oct-2010 12:15 AM, we embarked to the aircraft and seated.

12:50 PM our journey started.

Singapore Airline provides variety of in-flight entertainments and good food.

You can have your own movie from 300 titles of almost all the known language.

I watched “My name is Khan”

It is a beautiful movie.

After the movie I had a nap and woke up for Fajer Prayer.

We prayed inside the flight,  where people where looking at us what is this guys are doing.

It is normal when you are flying to India, you can see many people will be praying inside the flight.

But destination like Singapore (More professional city),  it is something odd.

After the prayer we  warmed up our lenses and started looking for Dawn.

When the flight reached on top of Tamilnadu  the Sun started to rise

It was very difficult to shoot wide angle since my seat was in middle and wings are visible

After a while when sun raised completely. I slept for 1 Hour that give me some energy.

At  12:30 PM we touched the Great Singapore Changi air port.

Singapore is green and beautiful

 

Singapore Changi Airport, Changi International Airport, or simply Changi Airport, is the main airport in Singapore. A major aviation hub in Southeast Asia, it is about 17.2 kilometres (10.7 mi) north-east from the commercial centre in Changi, on a 13 square kilometres

But I don’t think it is bigger than Dubai airport

Shad getting ready fro emigration.

 

Filling the emigration forms.  

I still don’t know why we countries like Singapore (So called Most advanced)  required to fill the paper based emigration forms.  It is base and logic less.  I also convey my concern to the emigration officer and she said some some we can’t trust electronic forms.  It is really strange.  May be she did not understand what is my concern is.

 
Well decorated Changi Airport

 

Even birds like “Minas” are eating McDonald only. What modernized birds are in Singapore

 

Tandas (Toilet).  Whe still remember my Madrassa (Islamic School) days where our old ancestors used to tell us “Tandas” for toilets.  I believe these people have some strong routes with Singapore and Malaysia.

 
Elegant touch on the interior  of Changi

 

After the Emigration we headed to Singapore Holiday Counter.  The Ticket was as part of deal from Singapore Airlines. Abu Dhabi –> Singapore –>Kuala Lumbur and return costs 2000 Dhs only.  And stay in Singapore will cost us only 50 US$ / Day in a good hotel.

This package also includes tickets to all the Singapore attractions on a deal.  But since our destination is not Singapore we did not taken any attraction tickets

 

The counter staff told us to wait 20 Min maximum for the Hotel drop vehicle.  Since Singaporeans are too much time bounded and accurate we did not wait more than 20 Minutes.  Finally the guy dropped us to our Hotel Carlton.   Our hotel is almost 20 KM from the Air Port

 
Singapore City.  Photo taken from the Bus.

 
Marina Bay through the Singapore Flyer (The giant Wheel).

Marina Bay is a bay near Central Area in the southern part of Singapore, and lies to the east of the Downtown Core. Marina Bay is set to be a 24/7 destination with endless opportunities for people to “explore new living and lifestyle options, exchange new ideas and information for business, and be entertained by rich leisure and cultural experiences”. It is here where the most innovative facilities and infrastructure such as the underground “common services tunnel” are built and where mega activities take place.  The main attraction there is Casino (Chuthattam)

 
Grabbed Image

We reached Carlton with no time.  The streets are clean and no traffic jam at all.  We checked in smoothly and waited for our Baggage inside the room. 

 
Shad is waiting in the Carlton hotel Reception

Despite the hotel is very good in the City of so called “Profession Singaporeans”, the baggage has arrived after many calls made to operator.  Some where it delays.

 
Guest Relation Officer.  I Don’t know his name

 
Hotel Lobby

 
Corridor

 

 

Expect for Next Posting soon.