It has been a great couple of days catching up with Rich and Grainne and then with Gale today. It's just plain cool to have friends in foreign countries and meet up with people you know in a-typical locations. Although Singapore for me is hardly a-typical since I think this is my eighth visit to this fine city. Still, it changes rapidly and an enormous amount of construction has been completed since my last visit. A highlight of this latest wave of change is the Marina Sands which was only just under construction when I last visited in 09. To say it is an impressive building is like saying that an Aston Martin is a car: technically true, but missing the point so much as to be pitiable.
The building boats a range of 'firsts' and 'largests' as well as a very impressive range of luxury stores, restaurants (including Ku De Ta in the Sky Park - cheers to Rich for giving me the tip that you can avoid the cost of entry to the Sky Park if you just visit the restaurant/bar) and frankly stunning views of the city and sea. The appearance of the building itself is striking and quite marvellous while the engineering (given the entire area is on reclaimed land) is mind boggling.
Singapore gets a lot of stick for being sanitised, overly rules-based and a nanny state. That may all be true but look at the outcomes:
- clean buildings and streets (no graffiti, no rubbish littering the streets or river)
- effective, efficient, cheap public transport
- excellent public amenities including walking paths, public art, bins on every corner (contrast Bali for anyone who doesn't think public bins rate a mention)
- respectful citizens being courteous to each other
- development, nightlife, general activity and a sense of progress
- safety for citizens and tourists (contrast the stories I'm getting from everyone about Rio)
It may not be the done thing as an adventurer to admit to liking Singapore - it's neither off the beaten track, nor does it require an intrepid spirit but I'm putting my flag in the sand and declaring that I do like it. There is still plenty of cultural contrast, a plethora of exotic food choices, a climate unlike my own, scenery (including people) unlike that which I'm used to, parts of the city where English is not the norm and plenty of Asian-style capitalist growth (ie, shopping) opportunities. And its all clean and safe. What's not to like? I like feeling safe. I like not being surrounded by rubbish. I like seeing public art. I like travelling on trains that are not defaced with sprayed or etched tags from over-stimulated, under-active teenagers. I like seeing interesting architecture. I like shopping. I like not being harassed. I like not having to be on my guard lest someone take advantage. I like trying new food without having to worry about whether the lettuce will give me hepatitis. I like seeing people who look different than me without having to worry about what weapons they are packing. I like brushing my teeth without having to worry about whether the water will kill me. Call me boring if you will, but I defy you to live happily in the opposite of what I have described liking.
And, what's more, I have to say thank you to Singapore's government amusing me with their attempts at more people-friendly signage. It's lame, it's everywhere but it's kind of fun. And if you're going to be a government making rules and giving people instructions on how to do really basic stuff, then why not be friendly about it? It may be patronising but it gives visitors a reason to smirk.
As always, attached are a few photos. There are a lot more stories I'd like to tell and a huge number of photos but I fear the interweb will explode if I try to load them all, so here is just a small selection.
ADDENDUM TO LAST POST: You'll have to wait for the photos. The wifi speed in the QC is akin to a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter and frankly my butt is getting sore from sitting here waiting for the photos to upload. Will try again in the coming days when I find better speed. Love to all.
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