In December, I was trying to figure out when and where to take my 2 weeks R&R out of the "Cradle of Civilization", and get as far from here as I could. That was when I started coming upon the idea of travelling around the world, and stopping in Singapore for St Patrick’s Day. I had always wanted to go there and see what it was like – what better time than now to find out.
With my best friend advising me on what was going on, I began to lay out a great plan – that of course was changed completely in February and instead of starting my vacation in Singapore – I had to start it in Arkansas and go the other way around the world. The change ment I would be spending six days in Singapore – and returning to Iraq from there. But I had my wish to do ST Paddy’s at the far corner or the former British Empire.
I used several great websites to get up to date information on all the ST Patrick’s Day events occurring, and http://www.st-patricks-day.com/irish-pubs-singapore.asp is a great link into everything happening. I also recommed that anyone planning such a trip for ST Patrick’s Day consult the ole sage of advise - http://www.irishpubsdirectory.com/ as a great first stop for tracking what Irish pubs are around. I had a pretty good list of where I wanted to go before I got to Singapore.
Singapore is a place in that it offers something new around every corner. I am hard pressed to say I have been anywhere like it - and its probably why I keep coming back. The metro system makes things so easy for getting around – and every stop is like getting off in a different place on the globe as you walk to street level. I admit to having spent an afternoon taking the metro around to its far reaches – just to look and see what was there when I got there.
It is a lot of fun trying the hawker stands – or the street side eateries, and being able to have some food that is so different and with such a wide variety when you are a fan of Malay and Indonesian cooking. Exactly the place you need to be after 5 months in Iraq eating really bland food in a messhall. If you are staying on the northeastern portion of Orchard Road - there are some great hawker stands there – and absolutely no reason to pay 20-30 SGD for breakfast at a hotel. And if your able to find the mango or sweet potato puffs – those are worth your stopping and trying. (The Polar Curry Puffs that you find in the Metro shopping areas are definitely a great snack as well). If you are staying near Boat Quay or Clarke Quay – best bet is Circular Road behind Boat Quay. There you will find some of my favorite street eateries in Singapore – whose reviews I out to write – but never remember to bring my pad and pen. One will find really good – and very inexpensive Chinese, Thai, Indian, and Malay foods – and my favorite Roti and Curry place as well – there on Circular Road. Chinatown Square is another great location for breakfast or a snack. I always go to Chinatown Square area on first day in Singapore to get what is my staple food of snacks – the chili pork strips that are sweet and hot. I also am a fan of the ginger and sweet potato soup you can find there.
I did an early scouting of Penny Black – stopping in for a pint of beer my first night in town, and it is always a good place to start a night off, and sometimes it’s a good one to end it as well. The location is such that you probably will be there before dinner – or you end up there after going around pubbing. I actually found Molly’s after eating on Circular Road at an eaterie down the street that has wonderful roti and curry, and stopping in for a mid afternoon ST Paddy’s day pint of hard cider. As oppressively hot and humid as Singapore is – I always find that a pint of hard cider sitting in a pub with AC sure tastes great midday! The same goes for Durty Nelly’s – my first time there had been for a mid day drink – out with several local friends.
When night time comes around – Clarke Quay is the place to be – and I tried doing three different clubs a night there to see which ones I liked the most. There are now two places with Cuban bands – and awesome music – but the one upstairs has an almost 8 USD price for beer – and I can pass on that – or could have if a friend was not working there! I liked the band and atmosphere at Pump, and the beers. I also liked the really late night crowd at Arena – and it gets two thumbs up for great staff and great music. But the one place I owe a review on is called Lunar Asian Fusion Bar. There are a lot of places I recommend – but this is one that gets the capitol COOL – with Chinese rock bands – and the red atmosphere and Chinese décor – it is a must see place amongst many places you may want to go too. http://www.lunar.sg/