I been to Singapore quite a number of times often taking advantage of the long layover and the free airline hop in and hop out scheme that pretty much shows in a quick span what to see and what to do in the city.

With the country small size and convenience of metro trains, I am not surprise to eventually learn that planning a family dinner at Changi Airport is as normal as it gets.

No matter how many times I been to the country, still nothing is comparable to actually living in Singapore- to learn that the best way if not the only way to reserve a seat in a hawker center (food center) is to put a pack of tissue on the table or if I want to have the best Chicken rice in town I should be patient and wait eagerly in line.

So I transition once again to another place, another country and transitioning in Singapore is not as easy as I thought it would be. While I spent my days browsing Easyroomate, learning the difference between HDB, Condo and Landed property, creating a kick-ass roommate profile that included a clause about having no time to cook though drink lots of coffee, and patiently answer every potential housemate questions of where are you from, what kind of work you do, what kind of pass do you have, I holed up in some not so very nice hostel somewhere in the city center together with weekend travelers, backpackers, students and interns. By the way, have I mention how expensive property rental in Singapore is?

Despite the overwhelming daytime heat, I took advantage of temporary staying at the city center and walk around the Civic District starting from Clarke Quay.

Located at the upstream mouth of the Singapore River, Clarke Quay is picturesque area famous for its nightlife. During daytime when all the pubs and bars are closed, a leisurely stroll or a boat ride towards Clifford Pier overlooking Marina Bay Sands and other high-rise buildings of financial district is a good way to introduce oneself to Singapore.

I like walking along the quay, admiring in details the colorful refurbished shophouses, passing under the interconnecting bridges of graffiti walls.

The Civic District is a walkable area of landmark buildings and consider as the birthplace of modern Singapore, the result of British statesman Sir Stamford Raffles master plan thus explain the Western influence on architecture.

Included on the Civic District loop are Armenian Church, Peranakan Museum, National Museum of Singapore, the Singapore Museum of Art and Raffles MRT Station.

It is a wonderful contrast to see the back alleys of Singapore, it mirrors the vision that behind the grandiose facade there is a backbone of hardworking people who make things move. I find as much fascination photographing these alleyways of air conditioning condenser as much as I admire the celebrated landmarks.