After getting my fill of window shopping for computer stuff I started heading off for the Civic District. Along the way I bumped into some temples on Waterloo Street: The Kwan Im Temple and the Sri Krishnan Temple.
The Kwan Im Temple is a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy. It has existed since 1884, though it did undergo some reconstruction in 1895. It is one of the major temples in the area and recieves thousands of visitors. Worshiping here is supposed to bring good luck to the worshiper.
Rub the Buddha for luck!
Sri Krishnan Temple was built in 1870 and is right next to the Kwan Im Temple. It is dedicated to Sri Krishnan. Unfortunately I don't know much about the temple. I did see Chinese people light sticks at the temple as well. I saw some where online that this is the reason you'll find an alter dedicated to Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.
A tent was covering the entrance so the pictures are not very good.
After Bugis Village it was off to Sim Lim Square... where you go to buy phones, computer, whateve electronics you want. You gotta bargain here, so if you're not a seasoned tech-vet you might wanna try other shopping areas. The people here will happily rip you off; it feels like a smaller version of the Hong Kong Arcade with computer stuff.
Now that I had seen the Malay Heritage Center and the Sultan Mosque I was ready for a little shopping, so I headed off to find some electronics, but along the way I walked right into Bugis Village. Bugis Village is a little shopping area, they have fresh fruits, fresh fruit juice, and tons of clothing and accessories (I think fake). There are lots of young people shopping for clothes, and everyone else there for the fruits and juice.
Bugis Village
Come get some fruit.
Fake Watches
It's packed inside with young people shopping for clothes.
purses
JizzSaw Hair Bar. Yes, this place is real. No, I did not get my hair cut there.... NO WAY! Then again I don't think anyone else did either because the place looked like it was closed.
Sugarcane juice.
The shirt reads: No Job? no problem! No car? no problem! No money? no problem! Guess what? No date!!! Hey... that's me! No job, no car, no money, and no date... but I'll tell you what, it's freaking awesome!
Right across from the Sultan Mosque is the Malay Heritage Center. I really do not have much to show here. Everything interesting is inside the center and photos are not allowed. Inside is information on their history such as their seafaring past, and, for example, how they build some of their traditional huts.
Entering the complex
Map of the Malay Heritage Center.
The Malay Heritage Center.
Outside is a small garden called Garden of Scent containing spices used in traditional Malay cooking. I don't have anything to say here, I didn't really know what I was taking pictures of. Spices.. that's all I know. I couldn't smell anything from the plants.
Day 2 in Singapore had me walking all over the city (In this post I'll just cover the first stop). After leaving my hostel and a quick cheap meal in Chinatown I hopped on the subway and headed off to Arab Street.
The beginning of Arab Street.
Shops along Arab Street.
Silk Shops were common.
Hookahs for sale along Arab Street.
Approaching the rear of the Sultan Mosque.
Muslim women in Singapore. They cover themselves with a shawl, cover their arms and legs, but it's not as strict as in the middle east.
Another Muslim lady.
Muslim men and women wait to cross the street. They might be heading over to the Sultan Mosque to pray, it was almost noon.
Sultan Mosque The Sultan Mosque is the major place of worship for Muslims in Singapore. It was build in 1928.
Sultan Mosque
The Sultan Mosque
Inside the Sultan Mosque.
If you want to go inside the Mosque you need to be dressed properly. For men that means your knees should be covered, so no shorts, and even if your shorts cover your knees they may not accept that. You also need to cover your shoulders. For women, your whole body must be covered, no shorts, short skirts, tanks tops, no midriffs, etc. I think you get the idea. You can however wear one of these gowns. They are like graduation robes and they cover your whole body.
People wearing the gowns.
Women pray upstairs in a separate area of the Mosque.
Visitors are not allowed upstairs.
Islam's prophet Muhammad's last Sermon.
Sounds from the Sultan Mosque around Noon, time for praying.
After visiting the Mosque I decided to drop by some of the Arab Restaurants and get some grub. This is beef mutebak.
Rub the Buddha for luck!
A tent was covering the entrance so the pictures are not very good.
