When I realized that I might be moving to Singapore, my research revealed the existence of a purported "shopping mecca" called Orchard Road. The Lonely Planet Pocket SINGAPORE Guidebook describes the strip as an "Olympic-sized training ground" for "Singapore's national sport" - shopping. Being someone who suffers from Shopping Mall-Narcolepsy (self diagnosis), I knew that Orchard Road would be a lower sightseeing priority for me than, say, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. Last night, however, I was "called up" to join the shopping national team by my flatmates.
A few highlights:
We had hoped to see the switch turned on for the annual Holiday Lights extravaganza, but it turned out that we were a week early - even so, the lighting was still impressive. Below, I present to you a few images of what you are missing if you can't make it here for the Holidays. If you like crowds and shopping malls, man, you are gonna love this place.
PS: I hope to update this in a week or two when the rest of the lights are on, and shining even brighter.
A few highlights:
- I have never witnessed such intensity of retail - multiple levels/stories of every brand and outlet known to humankind, which are seemingly repeated on every block (How many Victoria's Secrets are too much? Apparently, there must be a "small clothes" shortage or unusually high demand here in Singapore).
- This was "once a dusty road lined with spice plantations and orchards" (Lonely Planet) - that must have been a very long time ago.
- My shopping mall-narcolepsy became complicated by Abercrombie & Fitch Asphyxiation. I don't know how the male model staff can breathe in that shop, with a brute force of fragrance replacing breathable air. My lungs felt foamy inside after a brief stroll through their meticulously managed and choreographed interior.
We had hoped to see the switch turned on for the annual Holiday Lights extravaganza, but it turned out that we were a week early - even so, the lighting was still impressive. Below, I present to you a few images of what you are missing if you can't make it here for the Holidays. If you like crowds and shopping malls, man, you are gonna love this place.
PS: I hope to update this in a week or two when the rest of the lights are on, and shining even brighter.