Imagine
Back to the Future had it been written in the 50's. Conservative mentality and efficient, futuristic lifestyle gives this destination a truly unique flavor. Baby strollers, obesity, and the smell of freshly cut grass were three things I had been without for the past few weeks, until Singapore. It's name meaning "The Lion City," Singapore is a tiny, affluent country of just over 4 million residents that looks like nothing more than a blip on the southern peninsula of Malaysia. I've always had an interest in visiting this city known for laws so conservative they're almost comical, unless you're breaking one of them. Eating a morning bagel or sipping from a bottle of water on the Mass Rail Transit fetches a fine of S$500 (about US$375), no exceptions. Riding your bike on a wide path under an overpass instead of walking it will leave you S$1000 poorer. Every motor vehicle has a box the size of a radar detector installed in which one must insert his or her ID card; and check me on this, but I think
it collects driving and possibly locational data, like a nerdy big brother. The streets are clean, very clean, and I find myself wanting to take pictures of the few lonely pieces trash on the ground. Walking the streets feels safe, very safe, even second-hand cigarette smoke seems less threatening than before. Myriad video cameras record your movements, as I'm probably being monitored right now. An interesting peculiarity is Singaporeans' obsession with shopping, yes more than Americans. In some parts of town there are not sidewalks. Instead, shopping malls connect blocks together. No I'm not kidding. Possibly my favorite oddity is that the Mass Rail Transit passes are multi talented; They work not only at rail terminals but also at McDonalds! (so I hear)... though remember, you better not eat your McBurger on the train ride home.
Singapore has offered a great visitor's experience so far. Between the Asian Civilizations Museum, a boat ride down the Singapore River, cable car riding to Sentosa to experience the aquarium and interactive 3D movie theater, walking through China Town, and staying in Little India it's been quite an interesting couple of days. Tomorrow I leave for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to spend a day or two before flying eastward near Brunei to Malaysian Borneo region for hopeful trekking at over 4,000 meters and world-class diving.
Imagine Back to the Future had it been written in the 50's. Conservative mentality and efficient, futuristic lifestyle gives this destination a truly unique flavor. Baby strollers, obesity, and the smell of freshly cut grass were three things I had been without for the past few weeks, until Singapore. It's name meaning "The Lion City," Singapore is a tiny, affluent country of just over 4 million residents that looks like nothing more than a blip on the southern peninsula of Malaysia. I've always had an interest in visiting this city known for laws so conservative they're almost comical, unless you're breaking one of them. Eating a morning bagel or sipping from a bottle of water on the Mass Rail Transit fetches a fine of S$500 (about US$375), no exceptions. Riding your bike on a wide path under an overpass instead of walking it will leave you S$1000 poorer. Every motor vehicle has a box the size of a radar detector installed in which one must insert his or her ID card; and check me on this, but I think
it collects driving and possibly locational data, like a nerdy big brother. The streets are clean, very clean, and I find myself wanting to take pictures of the few lonely pieces trash on the ground. Walking the streets feels safe, very safe, even second-hand cigarette smoke seems less threatening than before. Myriad video cameras record your movements, as I'm probably being monitored right now. An interesting peculiarity is Singaporeans' obsession with shopping, yes more than Americans. In some parts of town there are not sidewalks. Instead, shopping malls connect blocks together. No I'm not kidding. Possibly my favorite oddity is that the Mass Rail Transit passes are multi talented; They work not only at rail terminals but also at McDonalds! (so I hear)... though remember, you better not eat your McBurger on the train ride home.
Singapore has offered a great visitor's experience so far. Between the Asian Civilizations Museum, a boat ride down the Singapore River, cable car riding to Sentosa to experience the aquarium and interactive 3D movie theater, walking through China Town, and staying in Little India it's been quite an interesting couple of days. Tomorrow I leave for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to spend a day or two before flying eastward near Brunei to Malaysian Borneo region for hopeful trekking at over 4,000 meters and world-class diving.
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