Today I am writing from Bali!  We arrived yesterday evening just in time to freshen up & grab a bite to eat!  It was the first time in almost a week that I actually took some time to get ready & put on something other than my go-to tanks & workout shorts (I am sure that Austin greatly appreciated this!)  Now that I finally have some time for a quick update, here is a little recap of our time in Singapore.  It was a short few days, but we both agree it was a good starting point.  For us, Singapore was a good mixture of new cultures with a familiar environment.

To get a taste of local cuisine, we decided to visit a few of the local hawker centers.  These are open-air complexes housing many stalls that sell a variety of inexpensive food.  I found a DELICIOUS lime drink that was so refreshing.  It was made with Kaffir Limes (similar to a Key Lime in the U.S.) and Sour Plum.  I will forever crave this drink on a hot day.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Austin tracked down a famous hawker stall called “Tian Tian” where Anthony Bourdain visited on his trip to Singapore.  They are known for their Chicken Rice, which is one of Singapore’s national dishes.  The chicken is steeped in boiling water until it is fully cooked, and then soaked in cold water to ensure the meat remains tender (The chicken is actually served chilled).  The rice (which is the BEST part) is cooked in chicken stock with ginger and pandas leaves.  The dish is served with a side of red chili sauce to add some spiciness!  We were lucky to visit during a time when the line was very short. The next day when we returned for the lime drink, the line was wrapped around the stall and down the hall!   We were told that a person could wait close to an hour to get Tian Tian’s famous Chicken Rice.  The dish was very simple but flavorful.  Austin tried Chicken Rice from a few different vendors & said this one was by far his favorite.

For a true local feeling of Singapore, we opted to stay away from most of the touristy areas and embraced the chance to get lost in the city while exploring the neighborhood streets.  We came across a few temples that were absolutely gorgeous.  I was amazed by the fact that we could be walking down a street with an urban city vibe and stumble across a beautiful temple, just nestled between a local pub and restaurant similar to something you could find in Denver.  The temples were absolutely gorgeous.  Every inch was covered with intricate artwork.  Immediately after stepping foot inside the walls your surrounding environment changes. There’s a calming, serene sense about it…a true escape from the busy city Singapore has become.

Our favorite night in Singapore was spent walking around Merlion Park located on the Marina Bay.  The area had an urban vibe with a variety of bars & restaurants.  We stumbled across an impromptu jam session by two local artists who were taking advantage of the old wooden pianos that are scattered across the city with the phrase “I’m Yours, Play Me” painted across the front.

To me, Singapore was such a mixture of cultures, it seemed like every street I turned down had a different feel.  One minute I felt like I was walking through the streets of Chicago, and the next I would find myself on a peaceful stone paved street with old colorful buildings. It was a great place for us to start and get our traveling feet underneath us. On average we individually spent about $50 a day in Singapore (which includes all food, lodging & transportation).  Singapore should be the most expensive place we visit during our travels.

xo Brittany