The Accidental Tourist

It’s time to draw the attention back home.

I have an unhealthy obession with the Thai festival, Loi Krathong. Maybe it’s that infectious Loi Krathong song or the pretty flower lanterns they float down the river. Most of all, i think this banner that I spotted in Chiang Mai last year describes it best.

I digress. Being struck in Singapore this year (cat sitting), I checked out the Loi Krathong scene in Singapore. Yes, you heard me right. Although the local thai community didn’t have the hour long fireworks in Sukothai or the elaborate parades that run every night in Chiang Mai, they did have a nice festive feel to their little gathering. The front of Golden Mile complex was covered with Krathong sellers.

Just follow the people carrying the Krathongs. Behind the tall bushes covering the Singapore River, suddenly, you see the Kallang River lit up with lanterns. The next morning, Singapore River would probably look really littered but what the hell, it’s once a year.

I learnt something new this year! The Thais will put in the Krathongs a snippet of their hair and clippings of the nail. Plus the further the Krathong float, the better it is. That’s why every one was waiting for midnight when the tide is the highest. They were really earnest in their prayers. It didn’t help that this photographer was constantly in their face.

Since , I’m in familar terrain, I felt confident to waddle out into the water. Previously in Thailand, I was always worried about what lays in the riverbed.

That was before Bk told me the next day that there were snakes in Kallang River.

In the Shedd Aquarium of Chicago, an old gentleman in his 60s, maybe 70s , was feeding the fishes in the carribean tank during the show time. I thought he had the coolest job in the world.

The good thing about working in a field you love. You don’t have to retire because going to work doesn’t feel like a chore.

I’ve been warned. Not once but at least three times, don’t do the Statue of Liberty Tour. Friends equivalent it to Singaporeans going to see the Merlion.

But I was tasked by my friend, YH, to bring her a Statue of Liberty fridge magnet, who by the way has a VERY VERY impressive collection, and so far I couldn’t find a decent looking Ms Liberty. Plus, I owed her a birthday present.

So on a grey and overcast day, i hoped on to the crowded tourist ferry that does a loop to the Statue and Ellis Island. It was frigging cold but us, being tourists, we have to go to the deck ‘coz we must take pictures even though we are still at the jetty and the ferry hasn’t started moving.

The whole Statue of Liberty was ran like a factory. First in, first out. Input and output from the rear. My bad. I got my crappy overpriced made in China magnet that would probably cost RMB$10 but sold for USD$5, snapped some pictures of Ms Liberty from the the front and got out of there.

Still freaking cold but everyone was still hanging out on the deck.

On my way back at Battery Park, I saw the Statue of Liberty that made my day. So kitschy that it hurts!

I’m not much of a food critic as you can tell. But when a beverage is listed as patented and the site of a major chick flick (think Serendipity), I knew I had to head there.

What can i say? The maitre d was spaced out and a smirk. I was standing there in line for a good 5 mins before I realised that I had to ask him for a table. Otherwise, he would have just stood there and stare into space. Isn’t the Maitre D’s job to find me a seat? Snooty for a place that serves hot chocolate….

The place was cramped. Yes, the famed tiffany lamps that hung from the ceiling were charming but i thought that it just made the restaurant looked smaller. Fortunately, the waiter was nice. I ordered the famous Frozen Hot Chocolate and the waiter seems to read my mind and knew with that giantantic glass of chocolate that’s meant for two, I was going to need a light lunch and recommended the Chicken Little Soup.

My verdict: The Frozen Hot Chocolate made the snooty maitre d and the tight space worth it. It’s richer than frozen milo and definitely very yummy. It was so smooth that you don’t get tiny pieces of ice in it. It wasn’t as sweet as i thought it would be but the blend of whipped cream and frozen chocolate balanced the taste.