I had 24 hours in Singapore, and I spent them behaving like a woman with limitless time and limitless cash, which is a dangerous combination in a country this efficient.
I slept uneasily on a hostel-like bed at YOTELAIR Singapore Changi last night, in a city that always does this to me.
My cousins came to say goodbye at 6.30ish, which is the kind of love that gets me out of bed early. I then showered while casting YouTube drama on the big TV and messing about on my phone.
Reminder to self: use the phone camera more often, instead of waiting for the right moment or opportunity to bring out the real one.
Also, apropos of nothing, I woke up with a violent desire to cut my hair.
I then showered, checked out, and checked my luggage in at Qantas. And then, standing there suddenly bag-free, I remembered the lotte loseke I had wanted from FairPrice Plus downstairs. Did not buy it. Still thinking about it.
Kaya Breakfast
I roamed Jewel for a bit. I wanted Ya Kun kaya, but the queue was a whole scene, so I made my way to Orchard instead. I bought a watch.
Ammakase Lunch
I took the MRT to Raffles Place and chose the most fun lunch package at Ammakase because, as established, I was a woman of unlimited funds for one day only.
Goan tuna tartare to start. An amuse-bouche of watermelon and lassi. A kokum cocktail (kokum being the deep purple fruit of the Garcinia indica tree, native to India, also known as wild mangosteen, Goa butter tree or Malabar tamarind). Water came with a choice of grapefruit, lemon or cucumber. And when I said my phone needed charging, they brought me a power bank. A big one. I was impressed.
I then went hunting for Tamil records at The Adelphi. No luck at all. Not one. Frustrated is the polite word.
Pau Snack in the Airport
Bus to Changi. Back at Jewel again like a homing pigeon, this time for chicken pau (tasted just like old times) and bottled white tea. Bought creaseless yoga pants, because airport travel deserves better. Tested lipstick at MAC, because that is a free activity, technically.
Finally got my Ya Kun kaya toast, a local cappuccino and half-boiled eggs. Journaled. Boarded.
Flight to Melbourne
Slept almost immediately. Woke up closer to landing time. I need a travel pillow, oh so badly.
We touched down 20 minutes early, which felt like a gift right up until Melbourne Airport got involved. Automated gate. Long wait for luggage. Long queue for immigration. Melbourne Airport really knows how to kill your spirit.
Then they waved me into the declare lane, where the officer asked what spices I was declaring. Powder, I said. Bought in a supermarket in Singapore. (Rather than: paste, bought in a market in Thailand.) She let me through. Hehehe.
Uber home.
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