Singapore

Singapore is a lively mix of cultures. I arrived at the Sri Mariamman Temple in time to watch an elaborate Hindu ceremony where they pour copious amounts of creamy yoghurt, honey and other foodstuffs over an idol, wave fire around, then rinse the statue off with pots of water. This ritual is repeated over and over again to a vigorous musical accompaniment in front of a packed crowd of devotees. Down the road there was a presentation of fruit and flowers at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

The hawkers here are considerably more upmarket than the usual trinket-sellers. Tailors offer to make you a suit in a few hours. And you can't walk along Boat Quay without being accosted by waiters trying to lure you with laminated photos of exotic dishes.

I've been pretty careful with my diet throughout Asia. When I told my helpful Cambodian driver I'm vegetarian, he asked "You like snake?"