Singapore II - 24.Aug.2006

This time I have my personal guide to see and learn more about S'pore: Huiyi Loy.
She was my welcome buddy and picked me up at the airport when I arrived at 1.August.
THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!












Today after school, we explore the region around the Singapore River. Here you can see the
Skyline and the "Raffles Landing Site" with his statue.
This is where all began, where Sir Stamford Raffles arrived on 28. January 1819 with an
entourage of 120 Indian assistants and soldiers.


Esplanade -Theatres on the bay


Bars and restaurants at Boat
Quay










The town's landmark: Merlion
This water-spouting statue symbolizes
a creature half-lion half-fish.

And finally our delicious dinner.
We share everything so that I have the chance to try more
different specialities.
Especially the desserts are very interesting at least for Europeans
like me. Or have you ever eaten an ice with beans, carrots and ...?
On your next Asian trip you should try it.

Singapore I - 18.Aug.2006

Today I make my first tourist tour through the city of Singapore. Of course we can see only a small
part of it. We spend most of the time in Chinatown and "Fort-Canning Park".

Chinatown


We visit the "Jamae
Mosque" and a friendly
Muslim gives us a little
introduction in the
world of a Muslim.




Muslims at lunch.









And to get an insight in another culture our next stop is at the " Sri Mariamman Temple".
It is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. The skyline of S'pore is in the background.

"Fort Canning Park" is situated in the middle of the city.
And it shows clearly that the government is interested
in much green space.
Although you are in a city of 4mio inhabitants, green
vegetation is all around you ( which shouldn't be to
difficult with this humidity ).

Rag Day - 12.Aug.2006

What the hell is a Rag-Day?
Maybe I explain it first and than you might understand the enthusiasm seen on all the pictures.
Rag Day is an event of the NUS (National University of Singapore) which aims to foster a spirit of
camaraderie amongst freshmen and seniors. It is the most important day in a year for every
student who stays in a Hall. And even important for S'pore at all. No one less than the president
himself, Mr. S.R.Nathan, is the Guest-of-Honour this year.
But what are they doing? Every year there is a special theme and every Hall or university
department is supposed to create a float. This year's theme is "Dreams – Sketches from the past,
portraits of the future". And on Rag Day all the floats are presented in a carnival-like atmosphere.
Each float has its own story to tell: a show of vivid colours and exuberant performances.
But the real work began months ago, about January. And in a top secret operation all the Rag
teams built their floats using whatever they could find: paper, cans, wood, plastic, ...

the President (in the middle)

some images of different performances,
have a look on the creativity of the dancers

There are six different Halls on the campus. One of them is Kent Ridge Hall, where I'm living

(all the blue dressed guys are KRs).
Our float is a huge time-travelling train. And with a really amazing show we win a total of seven

wards, topping with the Overall Champion for Halls of Residence and the Creativity Award.

Tioman Island (Malaysia) - 4.-7.Aug. 2006

I arrived in Singapore on Tuesday the first of August. Then two days of organizing stuff: Student
Card, Medical Report, bank account, Student Visa, semester fees, prepaid-card for hand phone,...
are only some things.
Now it is definitely time to relax!!!
Yes of course on the beach, and which place could be better than Tioman Island, with all its
beautiful beaches, clear blue water and the jungle.
Have a look:

Our group on the way through
Malaysia.
We are nine students from Darmstadt,
some more exchange students and some
Singaporeans.







Our accommodation: 30m to the beach.










Ow Yew Sim (we call him James -> nearly every local
has an English name) organizes the whole trip. He is
from the International Relation Office of the
university.
Program of today a guided tour with the speed boat.
It's so amazing, everything.
Highlight are all the different snorkelling places with
its corals and the colourful fishes.











Grilled fish for lunch ;-)

a lizard

On the next day we explore the inland of Tioman, a jungle
walk to the West Coast.
Have you ever seen a green wall?

Now the semester may begin.