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Singapore is one expensive place to travel. Food is like SG$3-10 a pop and there are only a few choices for backpacking accommodations here and it’s not actually cheap. But I do love the ease of their transportation system here that it’s easy to find your way around the small country island by Bus or Train. And for such a small place there’s a hodgepodge of things to do and places to visit, even if they may be artificially constructed or whatever earthly natural attraction is left of the country.

It was my last day in Singapore and I still have a few hours before our afternoon flight back to Manila. I squeezed in some time to explore more on what time left. Called up my friend there for lunch and we went to Kampong Glam. It’s a neighborhood located near Singapore River. Most people know of Little India and Chinatown. Kampong Glam is considered as the Muslim Quarter with history dating as far back pre-British Colonization.

Singapore is flooded. I think it was almost waist deep. I could see some old cars toppled on the streets and people carrying their belongings above the water. I would have believed if this scene was taken in the Philippines a few months back but that this was taken in Singapore. It was in the 1960s when Singapore suffered massive floods during the rainy season. I was looking at photographs more than 45 years ago at Marina Barrage and was just amazed how floods are nonexistent at this time since then.

I only have a map to guide me though the trial. It was for Hort Park but it also includes the trails on what Singapore calls the “Southern Ridges”. It is a 9km trail connecting different parks on the Southern Ridges of Singapore. From the country’s oldest park, Mt Faber I have to get to Telok Blangah Hill Park but first I have to cross this pedestrian bridge called Henderson Waves connecting both parks.

When I was staying in Singapore, there’s always the search on where to go next. I know Singapore doesn’t have much in terms of nature and hike trails aside from Pulau Ubin, but it didn’t stop me from visiting Mt Faber located near Bukit Merah. It’s the highest spot in Singapore for a measly 105meters above sea level. But I’m keeping an open mind. So I hopped a bus to Vivo City Mall where the trail starts.

I was ogling at the displays encased in glass with even backlighting. It was certainly amusing to see how the Mickey Mouse figures have evolved from those mischievous long nosed mouse to the jolly rounded figure we know now. I squinted through the glass to make sure if the tag price I’m seeing along with the old long nosed Mickey Mouse is right. Yes, it’s priced ridiculously at US$35,000. I heard a voice from behind announce that the figure I’m looking at is one of the rare items in the Mint Museum of Toys.

Among the sleek and shiny streets of Singapore, Chinatown sparkles at night and during the day have that clean grime along its busy streets which makes it one of my favorite spots in the country. The food there is also worth a bite for those with adventurous taste buds and the few temples nearby makes for an interesting cultural side trip. Yes, Chinatown is one of my favorite places in Singapore. And here’s more reasons why.