Bangkok Week 122 — Mika's Photos

A plate of Japanese-style French pastries as a breakfast treat.

Ahh! Cute! (The first Smart Car we've seen in Bangkok!)

My new "Samsonite" suitcase.

An exciting Indian dinner at a vegetarian place on sketchy Sukhumvit road.

Welcome to Singapore. Here's a view from my hotel window, looking south-west-ish across the bay to the financial district.

My office is visible in that cluster in the background -- so it's close enough to walk, right?

The first morning was a bit rainy. Everyone who walks uses the underground mall / walkways. No one walks above-ground!

A look along Esplanade Drive, toward the financial district (and the famous Merlion fountain).

A look back toward my hotel. The Durian on the left is a performing arts center; the wheel on the right is the Singapore Flyer.

Close-up of the financial district, with the historic Fullerton Hotel (formerly a post office) in the foreground.

The famous Merlion statue, appropriately situated at Merlion Park.

He's a popular tourist attraction. Apparently there are 4 other Merlion statues elsewhere in Singapore, too, but this guy's the most well-known.

The colorful seats are at the "Youth Olympic Stadium", part of Singapore's bid for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

The newly-constructed Marina Bay Sands resort and casino -- billed as the world's most expensive stand-alone casino property.

The famous Fullerton Hotel, lit up elegantly at night.

Another shot of the CBD at night.

Plenty of beautiful harbor-front shots at night.

The skyline, including the hotel cluster, the Singapore flyer, and the new arts center under construction.

There are lots of water-front restaurants -- it's also a nice place to stroll at night. With Thai monks.

No shortage of people out to visit Mr Merlion at night.

They light up the Esplanade Bridge in a politically-sensitive color at night.

Our friend stands out against the dark city skyline.

See, I really was there too.

The durian is lit up at night - and hopping with performances, too.

I found where the city's youth hang out : they practice their B-Boy moves in the A/C'd underground walkways.

A poster on a bus stop indicates what shows are clearly popular here, too.

Outside my hotel, some interesting architecture / art.

Hotel at night.

"East Coast Parkway" that crosses over to the marina side of the city.

Found the entrance to the Flyer. Too bad it's 30 bucks to ride!

I wonder if accidents have been caused by this sign.

Another shot of the Flyer at night. The cars looked to be as big as those on the London Eye. There are also dining cars. This wheel is 30m taller than the London Eye.

A river-side walkway illustrates how incredibly clean the city is.

This footbridge is called the Double Helix. Can you guess why?

A view of the CBD lit up at night. In the foreground, an artsy new building is going up -- although I can't find any information on what it will be.

Construction was going on into the night. They're not kidding when they talk about the fast pace of development in this city.

Crowds flock toward the Marina Bay Sands casino... so I flocked, too.

The next morning, another walking tour of the city on my way to work. Here, Saint Andrew's Cathedral.

Coming at the CBD from a different angle today.

The former supreme court building, which is now being converted into a museum to house Singapore's national art collection.

How supreme the court must have been!

Another historic building was home to the Parliament from 1965 to 1999, and is now a multi-disciplinary arts venue.

The juxtaposition of western architecture in a tropical landscape was unusual.

A giant bud outside the arts building?

A view of the riverside and all its historic shop houses.

The city actively works to conserve the old shop houses, as they are the one bit of "historical" architecture left in Singapore.

You can see how the CBD is wedged into a small slice of land that juts into the water.

Singapore's current parliament house.

I don't know what this building is, but it was very appealing to the eye.

One of the many colorfully-preserved shop houses along the river.

They are now all home to restaurants and pubs (that I imagine are very touristy)... but they were all foreign cuisine -- Thai, Indian, Irish. I guess there isn't much "local" cuisine.

Back at the CBD, there's a nice sitting area at the riverside, for all the businesspeople who care for some fresh air during lunch.

This humorous statue, called "Bird", is by a Colombian artist.

Looking toward the marina, another small bridge, the Fullerton Hotel, and in the background, the area in which I was staying.

The lovely view from our 44th-floor office.

There are a ridiculous number of ships that dock permanently just offshore. Singapore is one of the 5 busiest ports in the world.

On this unusually clear day, land on the other side of the Singapore Strait was visible -- a first for many people in the office! (It's Indonesia.)

Looking west-ish toward Chinatown.

Riding the subway at rush hour -- a tight experience!

The uber-clean, uber-organized subway platform. No pushing and shoving here!

But no shortage of riders at rush hour, either!

Bangkok needs these on its doors for the commuting-challenged.

Welcome to Little India -- an extremely ethnic neighborhood in the middle of downtown Singapore.

Deepavali -- or Diwali -- the festival of lights is coming up. There's quite a festive atmosphere throughout Little India.

The street was decked out for Diwali like Western cities would get set for Christmas.

The shophouses along the main road were all 2-stories, unlike the 3- and 4-story shophouses further downtown.

All the gold shops that are run by the Chinese in Bangkok belong to the Indians in Singapore!

A famous Indian temple that is listed on all tourists' itineraries.

The architecture is very similar to the Indian temples in Bangkok. I've just never been in one before.

It's an interesting contrast to all the Thai temples I'm used to. Less gold, more colors, and different images.

Interesting creatures and characters -- different than what I'm used to!

These offerings look familiar.

It must have been evening prayer time when I was there.

Know this chubby guy?

Lots of people were sitting around. The temple was serving food in the back.

Another view of the festive street.

A tour group passes by. They should really be wearing helmets!

This man was making some kind of crispy bread. And boy, was he enjoying it.

All familiar snacks -- but the coconuts do indeed seem to be on steroids.

Familiar! But here, provided by the Indian population instead.

Little India even takes on the responsibility of hosting the typically-Chinatown cheap souvenir shops.

A very famous South Indian Vegetarian restaurant, at which I was recommended to have dinner.

A very local place. I was soon accompanied by 3 Indian ladies who sat directly opposite me, and watched in silence as I dined.

My huge, fresh dosa. I was the only one in the restaurant whom they gave a fork and spoon!

A soda vending machine... served in cups??

Found the local vegetable shops, which apparently sell into the night.

We don't have these funny little purple eggplants in Thailand! They're like a cross between western and asian ones.

Special Diwali sales were going on in one sidestreet.

These colorful things would give traditional Mexican decorations a run for their money!

My eyes were sore after walking through here!

Lots of elephants throughout their decorations.

Barring the "Diwali" sign, don't they look like they could be Mexican?

Fire crackers galore! Better get out of here quick...

A sweet shop ... and a man standing on the counter. Sanitary!

Looking for your long-lost antique? It's probably here!

The entrance to a Chatuchak-like market that continues into the night.

Yeah, this looks funny no matter how you view it.

We see all these products in Bangkok -- for less. Nothing novel.

Even this old neighborhood has been turned into a mall!

More preserved old shophouses. They are quite pretty, actually.

This fountain claims to be the world's largest. Its circumference is 66m; its height is 13.8m.

I really did visit! Although apparently you're supposed to walk around it 3 times for good luck. Whoops...

Lunch the next day -- pure vegetarian! And also, the cheapest food I found in Singapore.

It's different -- milder -- than Thai food, but the concept is the same.

Mr Merlion's visitors continue to flock to his side! I'll see him next trip. Bye-bye, Singapore.