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it all and the tourists go to party. I've heard that the zoo and "Night Safari" are also worth a visit. I will have to save them for next time!

FOOD AND SHOPPING

Conventional wisdom says that travelers go to Singapore for two main things: Shopping and Food.

If you want Fifth Avenue in Asia, then Orchard Road is the place to go. Rows upon rows of high end shops sell everything from shoes to electronics. I was even able to bargain for a new lens for my camera in a photo store, though prices for electronics are not any better than those in the U.S., as far as I could tell.

Food? Head to the night markets and hawker centers located all over the city. But watch out for aggressive salespeople. My travel companions and I took a cab to a nearby night market that was recommended. It was located in an outdoor park, ringed with food stalls filled with every Singaporean delicacy imaginable.

As we entered, we were greeted by several "waiters" competing for our business. Being somewhat naive, we ordered through them. As it turned out, the blue crab was delicious and reasonably priced. But the Singaporean lobster, at $80.00 (Singaporean), was not a bargain, though we did manage to negotiate a somewhat lower price when we got the bill. Apparently, we would have gotten better prices had we placed the orders ourselves, directly at the food stalls. The "waiters" were probably salespeople trying to get a commission.

CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

Cultural attractions? There are many. But with less than three days, one has to be selective. My friends and I went out one night to the Kampong Glam area, the historic seat of Malay royalty in Singapore. The Sultan Mosque is located here. Its golden dome rises majestically above the nearby shops. This is the largest mosque in Singapore and can accommodate up to 5,000 Muslims in prayers.

The evening we visited, the mosque and surrounding streets were busy with worshippers, shoppers, a street festival and outdoor music. In the area surrounding the mosque, there are some restored shop houses that sell traditional clothes, artifacts, handicrafts, furniture and jewelry. Browsing here is an excellent alternative to the "designer" shopping malls on Orchard Road and great for finding unique souvenirs.
Little India and Chinatown are also worth a visit and offer cultural insights, or so I've heard. Two other things for "next time."

But what impressed me most about Singapore was the peace and tranquility I found. Even in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of this modern city-state, the people were kind, friendly and the overall pace of life was sane and serene. Singapore, to me, was an oasis amidst the frenetic pace of an around the world trip that tested me on every level. Thank God for Singapore! I'll be back!

Learn more about this author, Marilyn De Angelis Pennell.
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