Sunday, December 26, 2004
Singapore
I recently realized that the last 9 entries on our blog were posted by Katrina. A quick look at our photo album last week motivated me to become more involved as I saw the direction that Katrina's creativity was heading.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Katrina and I spent Christmas this year in the city/state/country of Singapore - right at the tip of the Malay peninsula. Many of you may remember Singapore as the country where Michael Fay vandalized some cars 10 years ago and was sentenced to 6 canings (later reduced to 3). Singapore is notoriously strict in the enforcement of their laws ($500 fine for littering as well as the death penalty for possession of drugs - purportedly carried out quite often). Katrina and I were not surprised to find a very clean, beautiful place, but were surprised to find such a relaxed people. We also never saw any police officers anywhere.
Singapore's population is 4.3 million - a quarter of which are foreigners. The city is therefore EXTREMELY diverse, although the exterior is very Western and modern-looking. Singapore was officially established in 1819 when a British explorer, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles landed on a shore in this old Malay town and declared it a new trading post for the East British Indies. While many might see this as a less-than-noble moment in the history of British colonialism, Singapore has become a living monument to the man Raffles. Everywhere you look you see signs that point to this colonial past: From the Raffles Hotel, Raffles Boulevard, Raffles Street, Raffles City Mall, Raffles Hospital, Stamford Street, etc. etc.
Modern-day Singapore is the busiest port in all the world (in terms of tonnage processed annually). The air is much thicker than Thailand's and smells so much more fresh. All the streets are lined with beautiful palm trees, banana trees and a whole variety of flora. As soon as we landed in Singapore, we realized that we were not in a typical Asian country: A) almost NO motor-scooters, B) motorists strictly adhere to traffic laws - including one car per lane and C) the first car we saw when leaving the airport was a bright yellow Lamborghini. We were pleasantly surprised to find that all the water is drinkable. In fact, when we first landed, a poor Thai girl was trying to figure out how the drinking fountain worked. Her dad, sensing her confusion, stepped over and explained to her that the machine was used for rich people's hands and then pushed the button so she could wash her hands.
We headed straight down to the waterfront where we enjoyed a fresh, warm, TexMex Christmas dinner while the sun set behind the Singapore skyline. Afterwards we walked around and saw the dancing, Christmas exhibits, and other lights set up for the holidays. It was very beautiful (see photo album).
Today we spent the day walking around the different ethnic quarters of the city. Arab Street boasts some beautiful, and quite old, mosques and little shops that reminded Katrina of her time in Jerusalem. Little India is home to several temples and delicious foods. And no town would be complete without cheap knock-off products in Chinatown. On the way home, we were very excited to see not one, but TWO Hooters restaurants - a perfect illustration of Singapore's diverse international cuisine.
When all is said and done, we have to admit that while Singapore is not a city full of tourist attractions and activities, the atmosphere was pleasant, the people were very friendly (and spoke some funny-sounding English), and we are looking forward to the chance to come and spend some more time here someday. For now, it's off to Malaysia...
P.S. We have been completely unaffected by the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunamis in Southern Thailand, Malaysia, and elsewhere. We are very saddened by the many deaths that have occured in so many countries. While our plans have been severely altered (we were planning to go to Krabi tomorrow) we are watching the news very carefully. Thank you all for your concern.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Katrina and I spent Christmas this year in the city/state/country of Singapore - right at the tip of the Malay peninsula. Many of you may remember Singapore as the country where Michael Fay vandalized some cars 10 years ago and was sentenced to 6 canings (later reduced to 3). Singapore is notoriously strict in the enforcement of their laws ($500 fine for littering as well as the death penalty for possession of drugs - purportedly carried out quite often). Katrina and I were not surprised to find a very clean, beautiful place, but were surprised to find such a relaxed people. We also never saw any police officers anywhere.
Singapore's population is 4.3 million - a quarter of which are foreigners. The city is therefore EXTREMELY diverse, although the exterior is very Western and modern-looking. Singapore was officially established in 1819 when a British explorer, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles landed on a shore in this old Malay town and declared it a new trading post for the East British Indies. While many might see this as a less-than-noble moment in the history of British colonialism, Singapore has become a living monument to the man Raffles. Everywhere you look you see signs that point to this colonial past: From the Raffles Hotel, Raffles Boulevard, Raffles Street, Raffles City Mall, Raffles Hospital, Stamford Street, etc. etc.
Modern-day Singapore is the busiest port in all the world (in terms of tonnage processed annually). The air is much thicker than Thailand's and smells so much more fresh. All the streets are lined with beautiful palm trees, banana trees and a whole variety of flora. As soon as we landed in Singapore, we realized that we were not in a typical Asian country: A) almost NO motor-scooters, B) motorists strictly adhere to traffic laws - including one car per lane and C) the first car we saw when leaving the airport was a bright yellow Lamborghini. We were pleasantly surprised to find that all the water is drinkable. In fact, when we first landed, a poor Thai girl was trying to figure out how the drinking fountain worked. Her dad, sensing her confusion, stepped over and explained to her that the machine was used for rich people's hands and then pushed the button so she could wash her hands.
We headed straight down to the waterfront where we enjoyed a fresh, warm, TexMex Christmas dinner while the sun set behind the Singapore skyline. Afterwards we walked around and saw the dancing, Christmas exhibits, and other lights set up for the holidays. It was very beautiful (see photo album).
Today we spent the day walking around the different ethnic quarters of the city. Arab Street boasts some beautiful, and quite old, mosques and little shops that reminded Katrina of her time in Jerusalem. Little India is home to several temples and delicious foods. And no town would be complete without cheap knock-off products in Chinatown. On the way home, we were very excited to see not one, but TWO Hooters restaurants - a perfect illustration of Singapore's diverse international cuisine.
When all is said and done, we have to admit that while Singapore is not a city full of tourist attractions and activities, the atmosphere was pleasant, the people were very friendly (and spoke some funny-sounding English), and we are looking forward to the chance to come and spend some more time here someday. For now, it's off to Malaysia...
P.S. We have been completely unaffected by the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunamis in Southern Thailand, Malaysia, and elsewhere. We are very saddened by the many deaths that have occured in so many countries. While our plans have been severely altered (we were planning to go to Krabi tomorrow) we are watching the news very carefully. Thank you all for your concern.
