3 Last Things About Singapore

I've realised that there were a few things about Singapore that I thought were obvious, but hadn't mentioned in the blog.

• Jaywalking is illegal. If you're spotted by one of the smartly-uniformed police officers, you're likely to get a slap on the wrists and a $20 fine. It is one of Iarla's missions to get one.

• Chewing gum is also illegal. You can't buy it anywhere, except for medicinal or therapeutic uses. So unless you want to chew nicorette gum for 'fresh' breath then you have to get used to a packet of mentos.

• It's prohibited to take the Durian fruit onto most public transport systems. Why? Because it smells like, and I quote:

"pig-shit, turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock"ª

It stinks. How anyone got to the point where thinking that eating it would be a good idea is beyond me. I was challenged to find the durian display in a supermarket once, by literally 'following my nose'. I was adamant that I was heading towards the out-of-order, blocked-up toilets, but no, there was the durian display, replete with depressed looking man, chopping up the 'fruit' to put into small polystyrene trays, and then wrap up with cellophane. Which, incidentally, you can still smell it through. I didn't eat it.

Last thing - I can't say 'thank you' enough to Iarla, Nesh (and the Hof) for their hospitality. Though the whole reason I was there in the first place was to visit Iarla, they couldn't have been more accommodating and gracious hosts. I love you guys.


ª - Richard Sterling, Travel writer and food critic.