My thoughts on Singapore…..

Singapore is an amazing country, I am so tempted to move there and work for a couple of years. The people are very friendly and the technology is everywhere….probably one of the many reasons I like the country.

Some of the sangat at the gurdwaras have been very warm. Hopefully, I will be back in Singapore near the end of January 2013. Meeting and chatting to Andrew was great, he gave us very good information which I will be acting upon.

I did notice more in Singapore then anywhere else that people are stuck to their phones, iPads, tablets. In restaurant you would see a group of people just stuck to their phones, not even talking to each other. Then I thought about myself sometimes I do the same. It is very easy to get caught up with being engrossed in technology and not paying attention to what is around one.

Goodbye Singapore…..

Goodbye Singapore…..

I felt pretty sad today as we are leaving Singapore, it is a fantastic city/country. After a light breakfast….yes you heard me…light….believe it or not we can do light meals! We checked out of the hostel. The taxi ride to the coach took 10 minutes and cost SGD$5.40.

The departure point is where there are many different coach companies:

5001, Beach Road
#01-16, Golden Mile Complex,
Singapore 199588

Dec 4, 2012 9:52 AM
Dec 4, 2012 9:53 AM

Our coach company is

StarMart Express Air Asia Liner Pte Ltd
Dec 4, 2012 10:03 AM

You are required to check in 30 minutes before the coach departs, therefore we were there at 10am. You could actually get there fifteen minutes before departure. Especially, as there were hardly any other passengers there.

The coach leaves a couple of blocks away from the ticket office, once we got there (be sure you get onto the correct numbered coach. There could be a couple of coaches from the same company waiting there.) we loaded the backpacks onto the coach, which is what you do yourself and made our way to the assigned seats.

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Individual massage system on every seat.
Dec 4, 2012 11:53 AM

About one hour into our journey we arrived at the border
Dec 4, 2012 11:31 AM

Dec 4, 2012 11:32 AM

A very simple process, you leave your luggage on the coach and go through customs. Once through the coach is waiting for you in the car park.

The bridge crossing over to Malaysia, I guess this is no mans land
Dec 4, 2012 11:41 AM

At the Malaysian border you take all your luggage off the coach and walk through customs
Dec 4, 2012 11:48 AM

The customs check your passport and then you take your luggage through a scanner.

Again, the coach is waiting for you in the car park. Welcome to Malaysia.

Driving this part of Malaysia you immediately notice how lush and green the land is.
Dec 4, 2012 3:17 PM
Dec 4, 2012 3:18 PM

Throughout the whole five hour journey there was one break, to stretch your legs and use the restrooms.
Dec 4, 2012 12:08 PM
Dec 4, 2012 12:10 PM
Dec 4, 2012 12:11 PM

Our first glimpse of Petronas Tower
Dec 4, 2012 4:09 PM

Arriving in KL, very hungry!
Dec 4, 2012 4:16 PM

Making our way to the hotel
Dec 4, 2012 4:20 PM
Dec 4, 2012 4:25 PM
Dec 4, 2012 4:25 PM

Arriving at the hotel
Dec 4, 2012 4:45 PM

Looking forward to a good night’s sleep!!
Dec 4, 2012 5:07 PM

View from the bedroom, situated on the eleventh floor
Dec 4, 2012 5:05 PM

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Ritz Carlton Bedroom #1111

Around 5pm to 8pm the heavens open up and it pours. We waited until it calmed down, then made our way to get dinner.

Dec 4, 2012 7:29 PM
Dec 4, 2012 7:31 PM

I immediately disliked Kuala Lumpur, every other shop seemed to have scantily dressed women offering a massage. It all looked sleazy. We are located in the Golden Triangle of KL. KL’s equivalent of the Central Business District(CBD) located to the north-east of the old city centre/old town. This is where you will find many of the city’s shopping malls, five-star hotels and the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. It looks like sleaze and wealth are next to each other!

It took us fifteen minutes to get to the restaurant

Woods Bio Marche
Eternal Happiness
Lot G-02,
Ground Floor
Wisma Bukit Bintang
28, Jalan Bukit Binag
55100 Kuala Lumpur
T: +60 3 2143 1636
F: +60 3 2143 4636

Dec 4, 2012 9:11 PM
Dec 4, 2012 8:03 PM
Dec 4, 2012 8:00 PM
Dec 4, 2012 8:11 PM
Dec 4, 2012 7:51 PM

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The food was excellent. A restaurant we should go back to. As we are getting close to MYR5 to GBP£1 the prices here are very cheap. The dinner cost us GBP£12.

On the way back to the hotel
Dec 4, 2012 9:30 PM
Dec 4, 2012 9:30 PM
Dec 4, 2012 9:33 PM
Dec 4, 2012 9:34 PM
Dec 4, 2012 9:36 PM

Starhill Gallery
Starhill Gallery is a luxury retail mall located in the Bukit Bintang shopping district of Kuala Lumpur. The mall opened in 1996 as Starhill Shopping Centre. In 1999, when business was in decline, it was acquired by YTL Corporation. YTL decided to do away with the anchor tenant-based business model and transform Starhill into a luxury brand retail centre. It underwent extensive renovation led by architect David Rockwell and reopened in July 2005 as Starhill Gallery.
The mall is connected to the JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur by a “Time Tunnel”

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Starhill Gallery

A relaxing day

A relaxing day

As if is our last day in Singapore we just spent the day relaxing and getting organised for Malaysia. First we went to the Khalsa Dharmak Sabha Gurdwara, another Gurdwara really close to our hostel! There was recitation of Sukhmani Sahib ongoing. After a short while, we headed over to

Whole Earth Vegetarian
76 Peck Seah St
(Tg Pagar MRT Exit A)
Singapore 079331
T: + 65 6323 3308
W: wwww.wholeearth.com.sg/

for lunch. We arrived just after 14:30. Unfortunately the restaurant shuts for lunch at 15:00 and takes last orders at 14:30. The restaurant was completely dead.

Our plan was to have lunch at Whole Earth Vegetarian and then head to the Gurdwara:

Gurdwara Sahib Silat Road
8 Jalan Bukit Merah
Singapore 169543
Tel: + 65 6222 2208
Fax: + 65 6225 1994
E: [email protected]

Dec 3, 2012 4:20 PM
Dec 3, 2012 4:23 PM
Dec 3, 2012 4:10 PM
Dec 3, 2012 4:20 PM

Fantastic windows

Dec 3, 2012 3:53 PM
Dec 3, 2012 3:53 PM
Dec 3, 2012 3:53 PM
Dec 3, 2012 4:09 PM
Dec 3, 2012 4:09 PM
Dec 3, 2012 4:08 PM

As it was raining very heavily we took a taxi to the Gurdwara.
In the early days of Singapore, there were only two Gurdwaras in Singapore. Members of the Sikh Contingent of the Straits Settlements Police Force had their Gurdwara on Pearls Hill. The Civilian Sikhs had their Gurdwara in Queen Street.
It is only after the tombstone, found in the ground of General Hospital, was brought to Silat Road Gurdwara, on 12th October, 1966 that this Gurdwara became very popular with the Sikhs. The Samadh (tombstone) is believed to be that of the Sikh Saint-Solder, Bhai_Maharaj_Singh, the hero of the Sikh resistance to the British occupation of Punjab. The attraction of Silat Road Gurdwara is the Shrine of Bhai Maharaj Singh containing his Samadh.
Dec 3, 2012 4:21 PM

We had Guru Ka Langar at the Gurdwara. When I asked if they were serving Guru Ka Langar they asked me where I was from. I said England, they said “ok we will serve you. Usually we only serve between 11:30 to 2pm and then after 6pm.” I always thought it was served all day long. Whilst we were eating the Guru Ka Langar, a lady asked if she could have Guru Ka Langar, they said they would start serving at 6pm (it was around 3pm). Though we really appreciated the Guru ka Langar, his made us feel awkward, everybody is equal and everyone should be served equally, that is usually how things are done. Thankfully a little later they started serving biscuits in the Guru Ka Langar, with tea, so we didn’t feel as uncomfortable.

Afterwards we got a taxi back to the hostel as it was still raining heavily. It has rained every day we have been in Singapore! Sangeet went to the Gurdwara for the evening whilst I looked into options for transport to go to Malaysia tomorrow. We have the following options

1) Taxi – very expensive
2) Train – would miss the smaller towns
3) Fly – would not see a thing on the way
4) Coach – would see a lot of small towns, reasonably priced
5) Walk – we do not have that much time!

We decided on taking the coach. There are various operators, the prices range SGD$28 to SGD$124 depending on the level of luxury.

There are many express bus services from Singapore to KL. Some of the famous express bus operators like Starmart Air Asia Liner, Aeroline and First Coach offer almost hourly trip between Singapore and KL.
Most of the bus operators will depart at Golden Mile Complex. But they are some operators which depart at other location like Key Point (Golden Coach) Harbour Front (Aeroline), Novena (First Coach), Boon Lay Shopping Centre (Grassland, Konsortium and others) and many more. For the arrival location in KL, most coach will call off at Puduraya, the largest express bus terminal in Malaysia. Some coach will call off at other location like Berjaya Times Square (Starmart Air Asia Liner Express), Bangsar, 1 Utama Shopping Centre or Pasar Rakyat. Do note that some bus operator will offer non stop express bus service to KL and others will stop at Yong Peng for a short 20 to 30 minutes break. Please check with respective bus operator before book the ticket.

The table below list down the trip duration for some of the most popular
bus route in Malaysia/Singapore.

Please note that journey duration listed below is just an estimation only.
The actual travel time may varies depending on the traffic condition.

Trip Duration
Singapore to Malacca 4 hrs
Singapore to Seremban 5 hrs
Singapore to Kuala Lumpur 6 hrs
Singapore to Genting Highlands 7 hrs
Singapore to Shah Alam 7 hrs
Singapore to Klang 7 hrs
Singapore to KLIA/ LCCT 8 hrs
Singapore to Perak 8.5 hrs
Singapore to Butterworth 9 hrs
Singapore to Penang 10 hrs
Singapore to Hatyai 12 hrs
Genting Highlands toSingapore 7 hrs
Johor Bahru to Genting Highlands 6 hrs
Johor Bahru to Alor Setah 10 hrs
Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 4.5 hrs
Johor Bahru to Seremban 4 hrs
Johor Bahru to Penang 9 hrs
Johor Bahru to Perak 8 hrs
Johor Bahru to Perlis 11 hrs
Kuala Lumpur to CameronHighlands 3 hrs
Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru 5:5 hrs
Kuala Lumpur to Kedah 7 hrs
Kuala Lumpur to Seremban 1.5 hrs
Kuala Lumpur to Penang 5 hrs
Kuala Lumpur to Perak 3 hrs
Kuala Lumpur to Perlis 8 hrs
Kuala Lumpur to Singapore 5.5 hrs
Kuala Lumpur to Hatyai 9 hrs
Malacca to Johor Bahru 3 hrs
Malacca to Singapore 4 hrs
Seremban to Johor 4 hrs
Seremban to Kedah 9 hrs
Seremban to Kuala Lumpur 2 hrs
Seremban to Malacca 1 hrs
Seremban to Penang 8 hrs
Seremban to Perak 10 hrs
Seremban to Perlis 11 hrs
Seremban to Singapore 5 hrs
Penang to Johor 10 hrs
Penang to Kedah 1 hrs
Penang to Kuala Lumpur 5 hrs
Penang to Malacca 6.5 hrs
Penang to Seremban 7 hrs
Penang to Perak 2 hrs
Penang to Perlis 2 hrs
Penang to Klang/ Shah Alam 6 hrs
Penang to Singapore 11 hrs
Penang to Hatyai 3 hrs
Perak to Johor Bahru 8 hrs
Perak to Kedah 3 hrs
Perak to Kuala Lumpur 3 hrs
Perak to Malacca 4 hrs
Perak to Seremban 4 hrs
Perak to Penang 2 hrs
Perak to Singapore 9 hrs
Shah Alam to Singapore 6.5 hrs
Shah Alam to Butterworth 4.5 hrs
Shah Alam to Johor Bahru 5.5 hrs
Shah Alam to Penang 6 hrs
Klang to Singapore 6.5 hrs
Klang to Butterworth 4.5 hrs
Klang to Johor Bahru 5.5 hrs
Klang to Penang 6 hrs
LCCT/KLIA to Ipoh 4.5 hrs

I used the website www.busonlineticket.com which lists most of the operators, the times and ticket costs. We ended up using StarMart Express Air Asia Liner Pte Ltd the cost per ticket was SGD$30.

For accommodation I asked Maggie at American Express to look into it. She gave us two hotels from the Fine Hotels and Resorts package (Amex have negotiated with these hotels so that we get benefits like:

– Upgrade on arrival if available
– 4pm check out
– Breakfast included
– A complimentary afternoon tea for 2.

The benefits vary from hotel to hotel).

We asked Maggie to book:
THE RITZ CARLTON
KU168 Jalan Imbi
KUALA LUMPUR
MY 55100
Malaysia.

It’s a ‘dagger’ therefore you cannot come onboard…..!

It’s a ‘dagger’ therefore you cannot come onboard…..!

This morning we went to Wilkie Road Gurdwara for the Sunday programme. It is interesting to see that different Gurdwaras around the world finish the Sunday programme at different times. The Gurdwara’s in California finish around 3pm. Australia around noon and this one on Wilkie Road Singapore at 11am.

Afterwards we had a wander to the Esplanade, walking past the infamous Raffles Hotel.

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Raffles Hotel is a colonial-style hotel in Singapore. It was established by two Armenian brothers from Persia—Martin and Tigran Sarkies—in 1887. In later years they were joined by younger brothers Aviet and Arshak and kinsman Martyrose Arathoon. With their innovative cuisine and extensive modernisations, the firm built the hotel into Singapore’s best known icon. It was named after Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, whose statue had been unveiled in 1887. The hotel is currently managed by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International and houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum, and Victorian-style theatre.

As we carried on walking towards the esplanade we saw the last few marathon runners. This part of the marathon was on the formula one track.

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The Singapore Marathon is an annual international marathon race which is held on the first Sunday of December in the city of Singapore. It is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race. It has grown significantly since its inaugural race in 1982 – the 2009 event attracted a total of 50,000 entrants for all competitions (including the ‘half’ and 10k) in 2009; the upper limit established by the organisers.
There are four separate categories of competition: the full marathon, the half marathon, the 10 kilometres run, and the 10 km wheelchair race. Furthermore, 10 km team competitions as well as a number of short running competitions for children.
Prize money for the full marathon race is divided into three categories: the open prize (for all competitors), the Singapore prize (open to national competitors), and the veteran prize (which acts as a masters competition). In the 2009 edition, a total prize pot of US$193,900 was available, with $35,000 going to both the men’s and women’s open race competition.
Between 2004 and 2008, it was part of “The Greatest Race on Earth” series of road races, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank (the other three legs being the Hong Kong Marathon, Mumbai Marathon and Nairobi Marathon).
The times recorded at the Singapore Marathon tend to be slower than those at other marathons as Singapore’s climate is usually hot and humid. Kenyans Luke Kibet and Salina Kosgei are the men’s and women’s course record holders, respectively. The 2006 edition also acted as the country’s national championships, with Elangovan Ganesan and Vivian Tan Yoke Pin taking the honours.

The ship on the skyscrapers
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Afterwards we went on the Singapore Flyer

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Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel located in Singapore, constructed in 2005–2008. Described by its operators as an observation wheel, it reaches 42 stories high, with a total height of 165 m (541 ft), making it the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, 5 m (16 ft) taller than the Star of Nanchang and 30 m (98 ft) taller than the London Eye.
Situated on the southeast tip of the Marina Centre reclaimed land, it comprises a 150 m (492 ft) diameter wheel, built over a three-story terminal building which houses shops, bars and restaurants, and offers broad views of the city centre and beyond to about 45 km (28 mi), including the Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan, as well as Johor, Malaysia.
The final capsule was installed on 2 October 2007, the wheel started rotating on 11 February 2008 and it officially opened to the public on 1 March 2008. Tickets for rides on the first 3 nights were sold out for S$8,888 (US$6,271), an auspicious number in Chinese culture. The grand opening for the Flyer was held on 15 April 2008.
Each of the 28 air-conditioned capsules is capable of holding 28 passengers, and a complete rotation of the wheel takes about 30 minutes. Initially rotating in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from Marina Centre, its direction was changed on 4 August 2008 under the advice of Feng shui masters.

Once you have bought the tickets (if you fly with Singapore airlines please hold onto your boarding pass, as this and many other places give you a discount. At the time of writing the Singapore flyer gives 20% discount for showing them your Singapore airlines boarding pass). You head through a ‘departures gate’ where you go through a metal detector.

http://youtube/0vmbG4z8y30

‘Departure gate’
Dec 2, 2012 1:25 PM

Dec 2, 2012 1:31 PM

Singapore botanical garden (1)
Dec 2, 2012 1:45 PM

Being Sikhs initiated into the Khalsa (an order committed to living a conscious and pure lifestyle) we wear our Kirpans. The Kirpan is a ceremonial sword carried by ‘baptised’ Sikhs. It is a key part of the Khalsa identity which was given by Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Guru of the Sikhs) at the very first Vaisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 (a holy ceremony that formally ‘baptises’ a Sikh whereby the Sikh gives his or her head to the Guru thereby surrendering the ego and committing to a life lived in accordance with the Sikh code of conduct or Rehit Maryada, making a Khalsa duty bound to act consciously and righteously at all times). All Khalsa are duty bound to wear a kirpan at all times (along with other Articles of Faith)..
The word Kirpan has two roots – the first root is: Kirpa, which means “Mercy, grace, compassion, kindness” and the second root is Aan, which in turn means “Honor, dignity”.
Sikhs embody the qualities of a “Sant-Sipahee”—a saint-warrior. One must have control over one’s internal vices and be able to be constantly immersed in virtues clarified in the Guru Granth Sahib. A Sikh must also have the courage to defend the rights of all who are wrongfully oppressed or persecuted irrespective of their colour, caste or creed. Both aspects must be present in perfect balance – saintliness in all actions and the courage to defend the weak and oppressed from wrongdoing. The Khalsa is referred to as Akal Purkh ki Fauj (The Army of the Deathless or Eternal Being Personified i.e. of the highest order), guided at all times by compassion and righteousness. The Kirpan serves as a constant reminder to live in accordance with these duties. At the time a Sikh is initiated into the Khalsa, the duties and responsibilities of wearing a Kirpan are thoroughly explained.

We explained that we wear Kirpans before we went through the metal detector and that it is not something we can remove as it is an article of our faith. The chap managing the metal detector said ‘it’s a dagger right?’, we explained that this is not correct, it is a small sword. He said we could not go through with the Kirpan with it being a metal object, and that the Singapore Flyer is just like a plane!? We turned back to leave and secure a refund but were told by the lady at the turnstile about the no refund policy!!! After further discussion where we made it clear we were not prepared to pay for something we could not use, another member of staff was called up, she may have been the manager. We again explained the importance of the Kirpan and why we just do not take it off and that if we were unable to go through, we would have to insist on a refund. She listened to us and then said come with me…….we were fast tracked through security setting off the alarms which she ignored. She walked us up to a capsule and said this one is for you. Sangeet and I had our own capsule! Other people walking down watched as we set off in our own capsule, wondering how we managed that. Maybe they thought we were VIPs!

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Dec 2, 2012 1:49 PM

A slightly busier capsule
Dec 2, 2012 1:52 PM

Now thinking about what just happened, it would have been very easy for us to take off our Kirpans get crammed into another capsule with a few people and been miserable, not only would we have taken off our Kirpan like some jewellery but also been stuck in a capsule trying to find the ideal spot to look out of. Instead, we stood by our faith and Waheguru came through for us as always…..!

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Singapore Flyer

Views from Singapore Flyer

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Views from Singapore flyer

How small does everything look!
Dec 2, 2012 1:58 PM

Dec 2, 2012 1:56 PM
Dec 2, 2012 1:49 PM

After a fantastic time in our ‘private capsule’ we had a wander around the shops and restaurants.

We walked to Christmas Village!
Dec 2, 2012 2:22 PM

Afterwards we popped to

Loving Hut
Suntec City Mall
Sky Garden #03-016 @ Tower two(location of shop within the mall)
Singapore
T: +65 6238 6755

We ordered a couple of starters, as we we eating the delicious food we started getting other treats. The owners sister had just come back from Germany and was sat behind us. They just piled the treats on our table! Very tasty and very nice of them!

What we ordered
Dec 2, 2012 3:50 PM

What we got for free
Dec 2, 2012 3:52 PM
Dec 2, 2012 3:54 PM

From this very nice bunch of people
Dec 2, 2012 3:43 PM

In the evening we had booked the night safari. Sounds like fun, the night safari is a very convincing safari, in which they make you feel like you are walking through a jungle. In fact the animals are still held in small enclosures. So basically you could call it a glorified zoo! Also with the way people were acting rushing ahead of you in the queues, tapping on the windows where the animals were kept and making strange noises, makes you ask the question who are the real wild animals here? People were very taken back at the sight of the lions, leopards, elephants. This got me thinking on how lucky we have been to see them in their natural habitat. A habitat where you see lions roaming the jungle, heads held high and truly looking like the kings of the jungle. A habitat where an elephant walks ten yards in front of you and at anytime it could just charge at you. I thank Waheguru for that amazing journey.

Dec 2, 2012 7:01 PM
Dec 2, 2012 7:05 PM
Dec 2, 2012 7:13 PM
Dec 2, 2012 7:32 PM

Glowing toys sold at the safari park
Dec 2, 2012 9:02 PM

You can book tickets to see the night safari from the hotel or information centre. In my opinion this is a better option as transport to and from the night safari is included, also you do not pay more for transport. The coach picked us up from the night safari at 11:15pm which gave us plenty of time to take a tram around the park, see a show and walk various trails.

(1) Details about Singapore Botanical Garden:
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a 74-hectare (183-acre) botanical garden in Singapore. It is the only botanic garden in the world that opens from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight every single day of the year, and does not charge an admission fee, except for the National Orchid Garden. The garden is bordered by Holland Road and Napier Road to the south, Cluny Road to the east, Tyersall Avenue and Cluny Park Road to the west and Bukit Timah Road to the North. The linear distance between the northern and southern ends is around 2.5 km (1.6 mi).

101 years young and still running…..

101 years young and still running…..

This morning we went to the Gurdwara on Wilkie Road, the Akhand Path was ongoing. Fauja Singh was due to arrive later in the morning to meet the Sangat there. Fauja Singh (Punjabi: ਫੌਜਾ ਸਿੰਘ) (born 1 April 1911) is a British centenarian marathon runner of Punjabi Sikh origin. He is a world record holder in his age bracket. His current personal best time for the London Marathon (2003) is 6 hours 2 minutes, and his marathon record, for age 90-plus, is 5 hours 40 minutes, at the age of 92, at the 2003 Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
Singh has stated, “I won’t stop running until I die. The next target, God willing, is to be the oldest marathon runner ever.” and, “At the time when people start retiring, I thought of running at the age of 63…and today I won the marathon at 93 years of age.”
In 2004, Singh was featured in an advertising campaign for sportswear manufacturer Adidas alongside David Beckham and Muhammad Ali.
Singh holds UK records for the 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, mile and 3000 m for his age group, records all set within a single 94 minute period.
At the age of 100 (and a half), Singh attempted and accomplished eight world age group records in one day, at the special Ontario Masters Association Fauja Singh Invitational Meet, held at Birchmount Stadium in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Timed by officials in Canada, He ran the 100 metres in 23.14, 200 metres in 52.23, the 400 metres in 2:13.48, the 800 metres in 5:32.18, the 1500 metres in 11:27.81, the mile in 11:53.45, the 3000 metres in 24:52.47 and the 5000 metres in 49:57.39, setting five world records for his age group in one day. Each time bested the previous record in that age division (some events had no previous record holder, as nobody over age 100 had ever attempted the distance). Some of his marks are significantly superior to the listed world record in the M95 age group as well.
Three days later, on 16 October 2011, Singh became the first 100 year old to finish a marathon, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 8:11:06. As it took him over 14 minutes after the gun to cross the starting line, the official time submitted for the age group record will be 8:25:17. However, Guinness World Records refused to include Singh in its record book due to the fact that he could not produce his birth certificate to prove his age. Birth records were not kept in India in 1911, however it is claimed that records written in Urdu date back to 23 February 1879. He was able to produce a passport listing his date of birth as 1 April 1911, and a letter from Queen Elizabeth II congratulating him on his 100th birthday.
In October 2011, Singh, a vegetarian, became the oldest man to be featured in a PETA campaign. In July 2012, Fauja Singh carried the Olympic torch.

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Fauja Singh

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There is around 15,000 Sikhs in Singapore. It is great to see a massive turnout

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Yes that is also sarcasm!

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Talk given by Fauja Singh

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Fauja Singh talk

Dec 1, 2012 10:10 AM
Dec 1, 2012 10:05 AM

A great posture, most people half his age have a poor posture
Dec 1, 2012 10:11 AM

Fauja Singh led the sangat in a jog around Mount Emily Park, just opposite the Gurdwara (and our hostel). Whilst Fauja Singh was running outside a couple was watching, I invited them inside to hear the talk. Andrew the chap came inside.
Dec 1, 2012 11:47 AM

Andrew is running in the full 26mile (42km) marathon tomorrow. All the best Andrew. Andrew was very inspired by Fauja Singh, he stayed a while and got Fauja Singh’s autograph. Andrew used to be a hedge fund trader in London, he then moved to China. Now that his wife is expecting, they have decided to move to Singapore.

Getting some tips from Fauja Singh’s coach, for when I do the marathon. At the moment I am just bulking up!
Dec 1, 2012 12:22 PM

Dec 1, 2012 11:45 AM

Whilst Sangeet was having Guru Ka Langar, I popped to Sim Lim Square to purchase the keyboard.

Not bad for SGD$20

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Afterwards, we went for a wander in Little India.

Sangeet was looking for a cheap suit, so obviously Little India is the place to go! A Sikh man we passed on the street recommended the Tekka Centre so we headed there.

Dec 1, 2012 1:48 PM

Me pretending to enjoy Little India
Dec 1, 2012 1:50 PM

Dec 1, 2012 1:50 PM

I was getting very wound up, when I saw the shop keepers ‘pestering’ Sangeet. So two options stay, get wound up and punch the shopkeeper or leave. I chose the latter. As I was leaving the heavens opened up and there was a downpour, I was drenched!

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It pours!

I walked past the durian fruit stall, you can smell the fruits from bout 500 yards away and this was in the open. Just imagine it was in a small indoor shop. I was tempted to buy it but the smell from eating durian was still lingering around me!!

In the evening Sangeet went to the Gurdwara where we met.

What is that…..!

What is that…..!

Whilst Sangeet spent a few hours reading, I had a wander to Sim Lim Square. Sim Lim Square (Chinese: 森林商业中心), commonly referred to as SLS, is a large retail complex that offers a wide variety of electronic goods and services ranging from DVDs, cameras, phones, video cameras, computer parts and servicing.
Located at 1 Rochor Canal Road, Singapore, SLS is opposite to historic features such as the Little India district and close to one of the earliest HDB developments. SLS is accessible via MRT at Bugis or Little India.

On the way, in the corner of my eye something attracted my attention. I saw two men around something. At first I thought somebody had fainted, the temperature today was 32 degrees C and around 80% humidity. But something did not look right as the men were jumping on this person/thing. Curiosity took the better of me and I crossed the road to have a look. It was a python!! It came out of the gutter and was moving along the path!!! Now I have a fear of snakes, but I just had to get close for a photo. The lengths I go to for my readers!

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I asked an Indian guy who was standing nearby how it came to be here. He said it came to eat rats. I was shocked, you are telling me there are rats here! (For anyone who does not understand sarcasm – that was an example!)

Nervously I continued to Sim Lin Square, avoiding gutters, only sometimes having a look down and wondering what else is there. Once I entered Sim Lim, it was amazing to see. I love electronic gadgets and seeing what new gadgets are out on the market. Please note I said seeing, buying is totally different!! I have been after a stylus for the ipad, I think it would make me look more sophisticated!! The prices in the plazas have been around SGD$50 which is very excessive. I was surprised to see the same named shop sell the same stylus here for SGD$22! What a price difference but still, not what I want to pay. I found a shop selling the stylus for SGD$4 now that is in my price range! It pays to shop around! Me being me, I still tried to bargain at that price, I offered him SGD$3. He refused.





Would you pay SGD$50 for this?

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On the way back to the hostel I popped into a taekwondo class and booked a session for this evening at 8pm. I am so looking forward to the class.

When I got back to the hostel Sangeet and I visited the Gurdwara two houses away from us.

Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha
90/92 Wilkie Road,
Singapore (228086)
T: +65 6337 6301
F +65 6337 5160
E: [email protected]

A groups of ladies were singing Kirtan
Nov 29, 2012 3:22 PM

Sangeet stayed on to read the Sukhmani Sahib. I popped back to the hostel to work on the blog. In the background the news was on, this made me chuckle.

Great name!

Around 6:30 pm I visited the Gurdwara to listen to Kirtan and Rehraas Sahib. The rehras sahib is the evening prayer of the Sikhs. It is recited at the end of a working day. Its purpose is to add energy to one’s being and living environments. It is intended to help with physical weakness and feelings of hopelessness, unsuccessfulness or worthlessness.

Nov 29, 2012 6:40 PM
Nov 29, 2012 7:07 PM

Afterwards we walked to the taekwondo class.

Nov 29, 2012 8:21 PM
Nov 29, 2012 8:07 PM
Nov 29, 2012 8:09 PM

I was expecting a very strict class, this one was very relaxed but still a good class. They teach in English. Which was perfect for me. At first people were not so friendly, after a while they became friendly. I just get the feeling that Asians and Indians do not mix in Singapore. Not sure why, so me going and mixing must have felt strange for the Asians.

Please note Asians are the Chinese, Japanese, etc. Indians are obviously the ones that come from India.

After the class we had Guru Ka Langar at the Wilkie Road Gurdwara.

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