Formalities, skyscrapers and China Town

Skyscrapers

Today I had to go to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to apply for my Training Employment Pass. After leaving the MRT station I immediately saw the MOM building and because I was 3 quarters of an hour too early I decided to walk in the direction of China Town. After taking a quick look in China Town I returned to the building, but somehow it was closed. Weird, as I had an appointment and the lady of the NTU has specific said that I had to go this Saturday (Yes, they are open on a Saturday) to the building of the MOM near the Clark Quay MRT station.
Somewhat stressed I took a look at my papers again and in the middle of the page a very different address was mentioned. Therefore I rushed over to a cab which brought me to the building in exactly 3 minutes. Yes, it was near the MRT station and yes, it could be seen from the MRT station if you would know that that specific department was in that specific building, as this building did not carry the MOM logo. So 4S$ lighter I entered the building and went upstairs. While entering, a lady approached me and asked for my appointment card, a photo and a payment receipt. Clearly all the items I gave to here, except my appointment card, were wrong as I had to make new photos, because the background was wrong, and I had to pay again for my pass as she could clearly see that I had not paid?! So I stated that I already made the payment, but again she said that she could clearly see that I had not made one, but she would check at the counter. After 5 minutes she returned and said that I already had paid (like I told here) but that I should give here the other paper the next time as this was not the paper she expected. What other paper could be more appropriated than one which clearly states that I had done a payment?
Well for the other problem, namely the photo, convenient enough a shop was just next door! Can you believe it? This time I had to pay 6S$ for photos which had the appropriate white background which was needed. A quarter of an hour later I left the building, and took a walk along the river in the direction of the (old) quay.

Merlion

That is when I saw the first skyscrapers and the real city center of Singapore. Moreover, I saw the Merlion. A (or should a say the) Merlion is a half lion half fish statue which squirts water. On the other site of the "park" a weird looking building with a SHIP on top was drawing my attention. I wanted to know whether I could reach it, as I did not saw any direct routes. Also, the Singapore Flyer was near but unreachable. As my back began to ache, due to my heavy backpack, I gave up searching for a route to the mysterious building and the Flyer knowing that I will be coming back.
When I was om my way back to the MRT station I bought 22oz (0.65 liters) of iced coke flavored slush at the 7-eleven, which somewhat revived me. I decided to go to China Town for a better look, but all that I did see were two big shopping malls, a food court or three, and a lot of non-Chinese stalls trying to lure me to buy something I could not place. After some lunch at the food court (where, probably because I was in China Town, less people spoke English) I decided to return.

Boat on top of building?!

Singapore Flyer

China Town

China Town

China Town