Singapore - Places to visit
The chances of your being robbed in Singapore are pretty close
to nil. And if you are, the local constabulary will move heaven
and earth to fang the wretched miscreant and return your goods.
The roads are spotlessly clean - drop a bus ticket and you will
very probably be fined. The road crossings are safe - go
jaywalking and once again your wallet will be lightened. The
roadside food stalls are the cleanest in the world. No one gets
gippy tummy in Singapore. The developers are something else
again. Sadly, like developers all over the world their motto is
‘nothing exceeds like excess’. Almost everything that was old
and worthwhile and interesting came under the wrecker’s ball.
Singapore eventually saw the folly of this and you can still
find parts of the old Singapore.
The Tourist Promotion Board maintains a flood, a deluge, an
inundation of brochures telling of the wonders of the city
state. But it bridles madly at the sign of any criticism.
Despite this nonsense Singapore is a most attractive place to
visit - for one reason. The people. Singaporeans are joyous,
intelligent, friendly. In the restaurants you are served with
pleasure.
Singapore need never run a politeness campaign. Its people are
the politest and the warmest in Asia. Partially this has
something to do with the racial mix. Within Singapore, Malays,
Chinese of several varieties, Tamils and Europeans get on in the
most amazing racial harmony.
This harmony spills over to the visitor.
In Singapore, I promise you, the people positively love having
you as an honored guest.
Pretty much all of the attractions in Singapore are man-made and
of relatively recent origin. It is astounding that on this flat
little island so much has been created to keep the visitor
entertained. What are the main attractions of Singapore? This is
my list. Yours will almost certainly be very different. Food.
You can eat yourself silly with 100 different cuisines and still
not have scratched the surface in Singapore. My own view, formed
after spending a lifetime in the area, is that the food in
Singapore – because of its wide range of styles - is arguably
the best in Asia.
You can eat very cheaply by sticking to the open air restaurants
that abound. They are all squeaky clean and serve ambrosia at
discount prices. The first place to try is the Satay Club on
Elizabeth Walk and then make your own discoveries.
The Jurong Bird Park
When I have business in Singapore I make it a point to keep half a day clear to go and sit on my own in the Jurong Bird Park. This has the largest aviary in the world.What they have done is net off a valley so that there is a waterfall inside the aviary. It brings balm to the soul.
Visit The Off-Shore Islands
It is easy to think that Singapore is just one diamond shaped island for that is the way that it appears on most maps. In fact there are several smaller islands that you can visit.
Boats can be hired from Clifford Pier which is just across the
road from Change Alley. On the islands you will find an older,
more peaceful Singapore. One where Stamford Raffles - the man
who founded the place - would feel very much at home.
Visit The Tiger Balm Gardens. This place is truly a nonsense -
but a most enjoyable nonsense. Full of statues and grottoes and
buildings all garishly painted. They are, as I understand it,
intended to give you an idea how heaven and hell look in the
Taoist religion. Incidentally, Tiger Balm ointment, which
provided the funds to build this place, does cure what ails you.
Wallow In The Luxury Of An Up-Market Hotel.
My theory is that the local towkays - the millionaires - have all tried to one-up each other in the construction of hotels. The result is that in
Singapore you can stay in a hotel with appointments and service
you could simply not afford anywhere else in the world.
Spend Time In One Of The Many Gardens.
My favorite is the Japanese Garden, again in Jurong. A well-designed Japanese garden always gives me a special sense of peace. This is almost
certainly the best Japanese garden outside Japan.
And so it goes. The average visitor spends 3.7 days in Singapore
which is enough time to get the feel of the place, to go
shopping, to eat yourself stupid and to make instant but lasting
friendships with the local Singaporeans.
Then you can nip across the causeway to Malaysia. This is where
the real Asia begins. Singapore is but a foretaste. For the
first time visitor it is difficult to think of a better
introduction.
This article is by Gareth Powell who runs
www.travelhopefully.com