What is Singapore? A city within a city or just another plain old city-state like the Vatican or Monaco? Is it segregated ethnically or a unified whole? More importantly, what caused Singapore (and its citizens) to act the way it does–you know, so pragmatic and orderly?
(I mean, apparently Singaporeans don't get physically violent. Yes, this is a real statistic: 0 murders per 100,000 people in the past three years. WHAT?! If there is crime in Singapore, it consists primarily of cyber-theft and hacking, but even that is on the low side. And cops, well, they're hardly visible.)
Before I tell you about the amazing things you can do in a weekend in Singapore, let me first break some bad news to you.
Now don't get me wrong: Singapore has its perks when compared to other South East Asian countries, but there's something about the social environment that just seems forced, fake. There, I said it! Please don't stop reading this if I dissed your favorite hang out spot in all of Asia, but many people share my qualms with this wealthy itty-bitty magnate-filthy-oil-rich country.
(I mean, apparently Singaporeans don't get physically violent. Yes, this is a real statistic: 0 murders per 100,000 people in the past three years. WHAT?! If there is crime in Singapore, it consists primarily of cyber-theft and hacking, but even that is on the low side. And cops, well, they're hardly visible.)
Before I tell you about the amazing things you can do in a weekend in Singapore, let me first break some bad news to you.
Now don't get me wrong: Singapore has its perks when compared to other South East Asian countries, but there's something about the social environment that just seems forced, fake. There, I said it! Please don't stop reading this if I dissed your favorite hang out spot in all of Asia, but many people share my qualms with this wealthy itty-bitty magnate-filthy-oil-rich country.
Traveling from Jakarta, I felt I was going to get a taste of home in South East Asia's version of New York City, but I didn't feel it–that wasn't the vibe I picked up. Singapore gives off the vibe of an entire country pulling for an odd form of gentrification. Everyone, thousands of Anglo-Europeans included, are moving to Singapore for business reasons. Think "White outsiders" repping "dangerous" neighborhoods in Brooklyn and shooting rent prices to $3,000 a month and beyond, and landlords forcibly keeping Black and Latino tenants out. (Check out this interactive map of NYC while you're at it.) Something fishy is happening in NYC and its odd rent control policies and it seems to be happening in Singapore too, albeit not in the same way. Apparently 90% of Singaporeans own homes, which I doubt, because these are everywhere. So to what capacity do people own homes I do not know. Like I said, there's something we're not being told on official records. It's not the people's fault, no, they are friendly enough. It's everything else: It is Singapore's utopia-striving. But I digress.
So how about some good news?
Singapore is tiny and very easy to get around. It is made up of 62 other islands besides the main island of PULAU UJONG (island at the end). The Red Dot, as Singapore is affectionately called, is home to roughly 5.5 million residents in a total area of 278 square miles (that's about half the size of NYC's total area). The majority of Singaporeans are ethnically CHINESE, but there are large pockets of MALAYS and SOUTH INDIANS. Singapore has four national languages to promote social cohesion: MANDARIN, ENGLISH, MALAY and TAMIL (in the order I heard it and saw it).
Despite my initial reflection on Singapore, I do have many positives to relay about my trip! I just wanted to let you know what you're getting yourself into when you go to Singapore. It can get very expensive depending on where you stay (don't hesitate to try AIRBNB! Just do it! It is safe and easy!) and how you travel (SINGAPORE AIRLINES is by far the best airline experience–just check out all those dining options!–but search for what works best for you); there are numerous things to see on foot and via the MassRapidTransit (MRT) so don't worry about getting a cab. That is, if you can bear the heat and humidity ; )
Singapore is tiny and very easy to get around. It is made up of 62 other islands besides the main island of PULAU UJONG (island at the end). The Red Dot, as Singapore is affectionately called, is home to roughly 5.5 million residents in a total area of 278 square miles (that's about half the size of NYC's total area). The majority of Singaporeans are ethnically CHINESE, but there are large pockets of MALAYS and SOUTH INDIANS. Singapore has four national languages to promote social cohesion: MANDARIN, ENGLISH, MALAY and TAMIL (in the order I heard it and saw it).
Despite my initial reflection on Singapore, I do have many positives to relay about my trip! I just wanted to let you know what you're getting yourself into when you go to Singapore. It can get very expensive depending on where you stay (don't hesitate to try AIRBNB! Just do it! It is safe and easy!) and how you travel (SINGAPORE AIRLINES is by far the best airline experience–just check out all those dining options!–but search for what works best for you); there are numerous things to see on foot and via the MassRapidTransit (MRT) so don't worry about getting a cab. That is, if you can bear the heat and humidity ; )
A couple things you should definitely do if you're ever in Singapore is check out the hawker stalls. They're literally everywhere and clean and affordable. You tend to know which stall serves good food or drinks when you see a long line. I wanted to try all the unofficial national dishes Singaporeans rave about, and have to admit that I was impressed. I ate CHICKEN RICE (@TIAN TIAN HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE) at a hawker stall, and FISH HEAD CURRY (@ZAM ZAM) and CHILI CRAB (@NO SIGNBOARD) at restaurants. The chili crab was the bomb[dot]com (sorry for my outdated phrase). There's just so much good food to go around!
GARDENS BY THE BAY is another attraction I enjoyed. It was great fun and is truly something Singaporean. By that I mean: when something can't be done outside, Singaporeans will take it inside, with air conditioning and straight up pizzazz. Below is an image of a waterfall inside the CLOUD FOREST DOME. (There's also a FLOWER DOME, which I didn't have a chance to see because time was limited.) It's very exciting to walk down the inside of the mountain (THE LOST WORLD) and around the entire dome while suspended in mid air. At the end, there is also an educational piece to the adventure, reflecting Singapore's massive efforts to lead the green initiative in South East Asia.
All in all, traveling in Singapore was a great experience but it certainly wasn't one of the most memorable. If I had to return, I would definitely try out more food stalls and see what the shopping scene is like (or perhaps test drive a LAMBORGHINI! (MERCY!)
Well, I'm off to Siem Reap, Cambodia in a couple hours to check out ANGKOR WAT! Keep me in your thoughts in prayers as I fly out with world record haze over Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I must first transfer.
Cheers!
Well, I'm off to Siem Reap, Cambodia in a couple hours to check out ANGKOR WAT! Keep me in your thoughts in prayers as I fly out with world record haze over Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I must first transfer.
Cheers!