By James Stone

Singapore is a great kick-off destination for any south-east Asian adventure and the city's Little India district would certainly top my recommendation list.

The city is an undoubtedly gentle introduction to the rigours of travelling in the region with its super-efficient MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system and the genuine delight that is Changi Airport with its plentiful and friendly plethora of staff. This is not say to say that Singapore is an overly sanitised destination where fun is sidelined for all the practicalities of life - far from it.

I discovered that Singapore had more than enough to offer the adventurous visitor with backpacker travel insurance on a trip three years back when after arriving in a standard hotel on the Orchard Road I embarked on a quick wander. Little India is a cultural district of Singapore that has its roots in the days of British colonial rule and the policy of ethnic segregation. Things have changed much since then and this vibrant area now has many visitors throughout the year who contribute to the electric atmosphere.

Ambling down the Serangoon Road, you are presented with a host of shops selling all manner of goods from traditional Indian clothing and music to wonderful food shops with shelves crammed full of colourful spices. The pace is quicker than one might expect and throngs of people wind skilfully through narrow street arches and between market stall awnings. There are also a number of traditional temples along the thoroughfare with respectful tourists welcome despite the many worshippers attending throughout the day.

I stopped at the top of the Serangoon Road to find a large food hall, where suited workers, manual labourers, backpackers and holidaymakers all mingled to enjoy Singha Beer and freshly cooked curries and rice. As is typical in Singapore, the humid conditions gave way to a spectacular afternoon rain storm which was of monsoonal proportions. Grubby plastic tables and chairs in the food hall were quickly a key commodity and having already garnered the former, I thought it would be wrong not to watch the world go by as I cradled several more bottles of beer.

As it happened, a bright light came to me and I was lured away from the food hall. And no, it wasn't a blinding headache at seven in the evening but instead Little India's Diwali celebrations - also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights. The street became awash with lights and lamps, while music played loudly and visitors swarmed the road while fireworks exploded in the sky above them.

There was just enough time to hop on a MRT train at Little India station before zooming over to the Raffles Hotel for a sublime Singapore Sling cocktail – well you've got to mix the rough with the smooth!