If you can't get to India, Singapore's ethnic area is a pretty good substitute. We had a fairly late start due to jet laggers and getting our bearings, but once we got on the road it was time for brunch.

We had some choices: Banana Leaf Apollo, Muthu's Curry, or Komala Vilas? We chose Komala because it seemed lighter and it was cheaper. (Although I'm sure part of the reason was that no one wanted to eat fish head curry with me.) Komala is a good, cheap way to fill up and is highly recommended by the guidebooks. The portions are huge and very spicy--not all hot, per se, but also full of fragrant Indian spices. You get no utensils...and you need to remember to eat with your right hand only, which is quite a challenge when you need to scoop or tear stuff!

Elyse and I had #16, the Masala Dosai, which was about $2.50 S. It's a huge, crispy crepe filled with a savory potato/onion mixture and served with three condiments--yellow curry, a red/spicy curry-like substance, and a sweet/bland coconut mix. Mari ordered the Thali, a sampling of curries surrounding a huge mound of rice, plus a crisp chapati (about$6.50 s). It was all so heavenly! And cheap!

Well-fortified, we headed for Mustafa's, the Indian version of Wal-Mart.  Everything you want, in massive quantities, fills row after narrow row, which you try to find as you plow through massive crowds of people. There's no rhyme or reason to it, either. You will be walking through the cookies section and suddenly find yourself in the handbag department. Fine jewelry suddenly turns into personal hygiene. Shoes turn into vitamins. Worst of all (for me), when I finally found the contact lens section so I could get solution, I found out that NO ONE sells stuff for gas permeable lenses. Apparently everyone wears soft here.

By the way, Mustafa's is open 24 hours. So if you need last minute exotic omiyage, this is a good place to go!

Tip #1 in Singapore: Be sure you have your contact lens solution before you leave!

Tip #2: They zip-tie bags shut here as a security measure at the stores. So you do need to bring a cutting implement to get it off.

Tip #3: Rent a cel phone when you get there, especially if you are in a big group.

I got more travel tips for you, but it's now 1 a.m. and I'm about to fall over. Good night!