One of the benefits of living in Bangkok is that the rest of Asia is so close. I was fortunate to enjoy a weekend in the city, island and country of Singapore.
Singapore was founded when Sir Thomas Raffles claimed the island for the British in 1819. Life revolves around the Singapore River, with restaurants, hotels, the financial centre and the colonial district flanking both banks.
At the mouth of the river is the Singapore mascot - the half mermaid, half lion called the Merlion.
Raffles is well remembered throughout the city; the photo below commemorates the spot where he first came ashore.
Although the city has a repuation of being over regulated, organised and too sterile, Singapore is actually suprisingly vibrant and interesting. A couple of cool sculptures on the riverbank are shown below.
The Raffles Hotel, opened in 1887, is a Singapore institution and the Singapore Sling is the drink that everybody has to try at the Long Bar. Sipping slowly is the best way to do it - at $25 a pop your not going to have a second!
The Singaporeans seem to poke a bit of fun at themselves over all the rules and regulations that they have to follow. We were careful not to cross the road at the wrong spot - jaywalking is a $50 on the spot fine and littering would cost you even more. There are lots of signs around designed to help everybody get along. The one below was at a bus stop.
More on Singapore next week!
I went to Singapore in 1986 and thought then that it was very clean & organised & you certainly did not have trouble in crossing the road. All very proper. Just love the sign at the bus stop. Just priceless.
ReplyDeleteI thought the sculpture of the boys jumping into the water was pretty cool
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