I was incredibly surprised by how much fun I had in Singapore. After traveling separately from Myles and Tim, it was great to share a few days in one of the world’s more expensive cities. We went to the National Singapore Museum and learned about Singapore’s British colonial past and how so many different races came to populate the small country. We went to the Gardens by the Bay and randomly ran into Patrick (the German we met in Melaka). Most importantly, we met with my close friend from home Kellie! Kellie and I randomly met in the Frankfurt airport in 2009. I was on the way to participate in an archaeological dig in Rome and noticed a girl in my age bracket who looked friendly. For some reason I felt inclined to approach her and ask her why she was going to Rome. She said she was going to do a dig. It ended up being the same excavation I was going to. When she told me her name was Kellie, I quickly blurted out her last name to her surprise. I knew it because I had received an email listing my roommate’s name as Kellie. Low and behold I was sitting next to the person I was about to share a very small space with for the duration of the summer. We ended up sharing more than just a small room just off of Piazza Barberini, but skin rashes, diarrhea, and pure fun. We were by far the best matched roommates in the whole program and to this day are close friends. She is a positive, thoughtful, and goofy individual who happens to be my type of person!
As a group we all went to the Singapore Zoo (BEST ZOO I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!), Botanical Gardens, and spent some absurd time at the city’s nicest hotel. I really enjoyed the zoo. There were orangutans just hanging freely right above the pathways and an abundance of unique animals like Komodo Dragons. Come to Singapore just for the zoo.
My most interesting story this time doesn’t revolve around history, but a stroke of good luck. Kellie and I stayed in the cheapest hostel I could find, while Myles and Tim couchsurfed. Around 11 pm on our last night, I received a distressed message from Myles telling me they had been kicked out of their host’s house and didn’t have a place to stay. I called back and before I could inquire more, Myles turned on his video and showed me the view from the room they “found”. The view was of the bay from one of the upper floors of the Marina Sands Resort. Those lucky jerks had been offered a free night stay at the most famous hotel in Singapore by their host! So Kellie and I joined them the next morning to ensure quality control was high. We were able to get to the viewing deck and the infinity pool on the roof. Let’s just say, they had had a night of luxury. What a cool experience!
We are off to explore northern Thailand. Check back in soon for more photos of Singapore and an update on my time traveling with Kellie.
As a group we all went to the Singapore Zoo (BEST ZOO I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!), Botanical Gardens, and spent some absurd time at the city’s nicest hotel. I really enjoyed the zoo. There were orangutans just hanging freely right above the pathways and an abundance of unique animals like Komodo Dragons. Come to Singapore just for the zoo.
My most interesting story this time doesn’t revolve around history, but a stroke of good luck. Kellie and I stayed in the cheapest hostel I could find, while Myles and Tim couchsurfed. Around 11 pm on our last night, I received a distressed message from Myles telling me they had been kicked out of their host’s house and didn’t have a place to stay. I called back and before I could inquire more, Myles turned on his video and showed me the view from the room they “found”. The view was of the bay from one of the upper floors of the Marina Sands Resort. Those lucky jerks had been offered a free night stay at the most famous hotel in Singapore by their host! So Kellie and I joined them the next morning to ensure quality control was high. We were able to get to the viewing deck and the infinity pool on the roof. Let’s just say, they had had a night of luxury. What a cool experience!
We are off to explore northern Thailand. Check back in soon for more photos of Singapore and an update on my time traveling with Kellie.