2006-07-15 - 07:37
We visited a school, met with someone from the US Embassy, and had excellent lunch in Chinatown. But that'snot what made the day. The advenutre was in seeking out the subway and bus to get to the Haw Par Villa, a somewhat run-down theme park illustrating the 10 courts of hell in Taoist tradition. Apparently parents can take their kids here for a dollar and scare them into obedience. First you look into the mirror to see your past deeds, then you're judged and given a grocery list of tortures, all presented in plaster displays. Some of my fav: Tax-dodgers are crushed under a stone press. those who waste food are disemboweled. I got some good pictures of the "filthy pool of blood." As if a freshly cleaned pool of blood would be nicer for swimming. Once you've been tortured they serve you tea and then get reincarnated. It was fun and a good lesson in Taoism but I'll admit what I most wanted was a "I went to hell and all I got was this stupid t-shirt" shirt. None to be found.
Oh, well. After a team effort of finding our way back we showered and grabbed a taxi to the night safari. Eh. It had been built up so much in my mind, that I was kind of disappointed when the experience didn't change my life. There were animals. . .but they didn't dance for us. They got very close to the tram with commentator, but it just felt like a Disney world ride.
