Waking Up in Singapore

Waking to Kampong Glam.

Waking up in an unfamiliar place can be really beautiful. The street noises, the comings and goings of guests, and light are quite different and specific to the place. Singapore is no exception.

I am staying in Kampong Glam, the Malay/Arab enclave of Singapore. My hotel is within walking distance of the Sultan Mosque, heritage shop houses, and colourful textile and carpet shops.

I awoke to the sound of an extremely strange noise. A loud wolf whistle, followed by a screech, then another wolf whistle. What the hell was that!

Looking out

I opened the beautiful doors and shutters that front the street and listened for the noise again… and there on the other side of the street was a little house with two bird cages on either side of the entrance.

Beautiful Bird having a little rest as the street wakes up.

I have nicknamed him Gonzo Bird. I have become quite fond of him.

I watched as a man walked past the bird cages. One of the birds let out another sweet loud wolf whistle. This bird has real character! After he let out another deep screech (like a car skidding around a corner), a car lock beep beep noise and another wolf whistle, I broke into uncontrollable laughter.

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