Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts

Saturday, December 4, 2010

What to See in Singapore

When many people in the western world hear of Singapore, it's often the Singapore Sling cocktail that comes in mind. Most people don't really know where the country is and would probably never consider it as a travel destination. For any trip to southeast Asia, especially on longer excursions to multiple countries, Singapore is worth a stop as it provides a nice change compared to the usual crowded, polluted and chaotic large cities of Hong Kong or Bangkok. Singapore is an island, country and city all rolled into one.

Compared to other destinations in southeast Asia, Singapore is ultra clean thanks to its somewhat restrictive government. There are heavy fines for littering, spitting in the streets and jaywalking. It's even illegal to bring in chewing gum into the country. Drug offences can result in death penalties so travelers definitely should not take the risk by bringing any illegal narcotics into Singapore. But the result of all the tough laws is a place in the region that is quite low in crime rates. It is one of the safest destinations for female travelers where equality is encouraged.

With its gleaming high rise buildings, Singapore is one of the most modern cities in Asia due to its economic success. It also makes great efforts to make itself presentable and beautiful. On the trip from the international airport to the city center, it can be noticed that the bridges passing over the main highway are covered with orchards and flowers. This is something that one doesn't see often anywhere else in the world. The city center itself is well designed with the Singapore river running through it. River cruises are available to take in the local sights from the water. There are numerous outdoor cafes, restaurants and shops along side the river which makes for a pleasant stroll. Because of the hot temperatures here since Singapore is pretty well on the equator line, the city can feel like a giant sauna. So extended walks are suggested in the early mornings, late afternoons or evenings when things get a bit more comfortable rather than in the midday hear.

Singapore with its mixed population including Chinese (77%), Malay (14%) and Indian (7%) is a case study in multiculturalism. Everyone here lives and works together in harmony. Only in Singapore can one see a Buddhist temple, a Hindu temple and an Islamic mosque all in close proximity to each other. The country has four official languages being English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. One of the great advantages of such a multiracial scene is that there are different ethnic neighborhoods to check out including Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street. All have their own distinct flavors in little shops, markets and cuisine. In addition to restaurants, there are outdoor food vendors which serve very low priced meals so one can dine well at any budget level.

For horticulture enthusiasts, Singapore is a gold mine where there are world class gardens including the Singapore Botanic Gardens as well as the Chinese and Japanese Gardens. For nature lovers, there are some interesting attractions including the Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Reptile Park, Singapore Crocidilarium, Singapore Zoological Gardens and the very unique Night Safari which is open only during evenings. Sentosa is a small resort island south of the city with a scenic cable car, an aquarium and some nice beaches.

In addition to the modern skyline and the contrasting ethnic temples, there is still some wonderful colonial architecture including the famous Raffles Hotel where the Singapore Sling was originally invented. If one wishes to stay indoors during the hot midday sun, there are several museums including the National Museum to take in. Singapore has some Asian theme parks such as Tang Dynasty City which is a recreation of life during 7th century China and Haw ParVilla Tiger Balm Gardens which has colorful statues depicting Chinese mythology. High end boutique shopping for fashion and electronics will be concentrated on or near Orchard Street.

It is a good idea to take a quick organized city tour to get an overview of what Singapore has to offer. Then tourists can easily take advantage of the very efficient bus and subway system known as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to go pretty well anywhere on the island for selected sights of interest. A nice thing about Singapore is that it is pretty compact and easy to get around. It won't take long to see all the sights and attractions one would be interested in so even a few days is all that would be required. Singapore would be the much needed change of pace within a longer hectic southeast Asian tour.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

What lake in Singapore

When many people hear in the Western world from Singapore, is often the Singapore Sling cocktail that comes to mind. Most people do not really see where the land and will probably never be a destination. For a trip to Southeast Asia, especially in longer trips in different countries, Singapore is well worth a visit as it is in Bangkok offers a nice change from the crowded, polluted and chaotic city habitual and Hong Kong. Singapore is aIsland, country and city all in one.

Compared to other destinations in Southeast Asia, Singapore is ultra clean, thanks to his government rather than restrictive. There are heavy fines for littering and spitting in the streets and Jaywalking. It 's still illegal to chew gum in the country. drug offenses leading death penalty for travelers absolutely should not take the risk to the collection of illegal drugs in Singapore. But the result of all the laws is a toughPlace in the region, which is pretty low crime rates. And 'one of the safest destinations for female travelers, which encourages equality.

With its gleaming skyscrapers, Singapore has one of the most modern cities in Asia because of its economic success. It 's also a great effort to be presentable and beautiful. By car from the center it can be said that the bridges on the highway past the orchards, and be coveredFlowers. This is something often not seen anywhere else in the world. The center is well designed with the Singapore River crossing. River cruises are taken to the local sights from the water. There are numerous outdoor cafes, restaurants and shops on the side of the river that leads to a pleasant walk. Because of the hot weather here by the Singapore well enough on the equator, the city feels like a huge sauna. Be extendedWalks are offered in the early morning, late afternoon or evening, when things get a bit 'more comfortable, instead of listening in the heat of midday.

Singapore, with its mixed population, including Chinese (77%), Malays (14%) and India (7%) is a case study in multiculturalism. Everyone here lives and works together in harmony. Only in Italy can be seen, a Buddhist temple, a Hindu temple and a Muslim mosque all in close proximity to one another. The country has four official languagesEnglish, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. One big advantage of such a tender scene is that there are different ethnic neighborhoods to see how Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street. Everyone has their different tastes in small shops, markets and cuisine. In addition to the restaurants there are outdoor food vendors serving meals very good, so good you can eat at any level of budget.

For garden lovers, Singapore is a gold mine, where there is worldwideclass gardens, between the Botanical Gardens of Singapore and China and Japanese gardens. For nature lovers there are some interesting attractions such as the Jurong Bird Park, Jurong Reptile Park, Crocidilarium Singapore, Singapore Zoo and Night Safari singular, which is open only during the evening. Sentosa is an island in a small town south of the city with a scenic cable car, an aquarium and some nice beaches.

In addition to the modern skyline andmixed ethnic temples that there are still some wonderful colonial architecture, including the famous Raffles Hotel where it was originally invented the Singapore Sling. If you want to stay at home during the hot midday sun, there are several museums, including considering the National Museum of Singapore in some theme parks in Asia, as the Tang Dynasty City, which is a recreation of life during the seventh century in China and Haw Tiger Balm Gardens Parville, statues coloredChinese mythology. end boutiques and electronics Orchard Street will be focused on or near.

It's a good idea to make a quick tour of the city organized to get an overview of what has to offer in Singapore. Visitors can then use the very efficient bus and metro system as a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) are known well enough throughout the island for selected sites. One nice thing about Singapore is that it is very compact and iseasy to circumvent. Will not take long to see all the sights and attractions would be interested in a couple of days is all that is needed. Singapore would be a much needed change within a longer tour occupied Southeast Asia.