We arrived in Singapore this afternoon. The first time I tried coming to Singapore was 27 years ago when I was 16. I didn’t succeed. The furthest away from home I could run was to Johor Bahru, the southernmost city of Malaysia. Singapore is just across the Johor Strait. Without a passport, I knew I couldn’t have gotten into Singapore, but I was just so desperate. Within two days, my Aunt who lives in Singapore found me where I was crashing with a cousin brother, and brought me back to Ipoh.

I tailspinned into about two years of helplessness, aimlessness, and hating almost everyone in the world. A few years later I came back to Singapore hoping to enroll in a Hotel Management Program. I was not accepted. After that, I studied hard and worked with a vengeance.

My goals this time are to have a wonderful trip with Kenric and make some good memories of Singapore, visit a few relatives, catch up with some friends, and taste as many of Singapore’s world-famous dishes as time permits.

Michelin-Star Hawker Stall

For our first meal, we shared a large order of Michelin-star Hainanese Chicken Rice at the Tian Tian Stall at Maxwell Street Hawker Food Center. Yes, Michelin-star hawker food, and it was glorious. Most importantly, it was only $7.80 Singapore Dollars (USD $5.90) – S$1.00 is about USD $0.75. We were there around 5:00 pm, so there wasn’t a line. After that, we went to Hong Lim Hawker Center that was recommended by our Australian foodie friend. It happens to be four minutes away from our Airbnb place in Chinatown. We got a to-go order of Curry Chicken Noodles. (We just finished it. Kenric loved it. I’m not really into peanut-flavored coconut curry, but it was still delicious.)

Kenric who is now a big fan of fresh-squeezed sugar cane juice said he wanted to get some to go. Once we ordered, a man who was eating with the man squeezing the juice got up to give us his seat. We said we would just stand because we were just getting to-go. He sat down for a few seconds, and again wanted to give us his seat. We told him it’s OK and he sat back down. To avoid making him feel so obligated, I walked further away from the stall.

What are the chances?

Someone came running and smiling at me. It was my niece (cousin sister’s daughter) with whom I’ve just reconnected during Chinese New Year in Ipoh. She works and lives here. What are the chances?! She was with a friend. We chatted briefly, and are now Facebook friends. Singapore is already kinder to me. Perhaps the third time’s the charm.

Map of Places Visited