Much of my sparse knowledge of Singapore comes from the days when Harry Lee banned men with long hair and just about everything else. I have heard reports that suggest Singapore is sterile and authoritarian. Having been here now for a week, I admit I have had to adjust my perceptions.
Singapore is a very modern city / country. It is clean and green. It's prosperity is obvious. The traffic flows smoothly. Drivers are courteous. It is a very pleasant place to be. Largely it looks like a Western city populated by Asians. If you have never visited an Asian city before and are afraid of culture shock, this is the place to visit first.
Many of the bans are still in place but one does not feel a strong police presence. Rather, we are for example discouraged from jaywalking by a thickly planted garden on the wide footpaths of many city streets.
I am not sure if I should be referring to Singapore as a city or a country. It is both, though the total area is less than the area of the city of Brisbane. Even so there are over 3 million people here. Housing them and retaining a substantial proportion of greenery means that many live in high-rise. You can pick the apartment buildings by the washing hanging from the flag poles outside the windows.
Singapore is a very lively place with markets and many diverse cultures. I expect I will add one or two more pages to this site before I leave.
Photos left column
The Fountain of Wealth, walk three times around it with your hand in the water and you too could get a wet hand.
When Singaporeans eat out many choose to buy their food from a stall like this.
Raffles Hotel (No I am not staying here. I am in the little backpackers place just up the street.)
Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, Singapore's answer to the Sydney Opera House. Inspiration for the design is either a durian or a microphone.
Right column
Laneways of shop-houses have been retained and restored between major developments.
Fountain of Wealth is in the centre of the Suntec Centre. The complex is designed on Feng Shui principles. Five buildings represent fingers. They gather the wealth which pours into the palm of the hand - the fountain. Get your hand wet and share the bounty.
Meat stall in Chinatown market
Chinatown street scene
You can get a free reflexology treatment just by walking along this path in the Botanical Gardens with your shoes off.
If you feel like jaywalking in this street, first you have to find your way through the garden and there are no paths.
For more on Singapore, please also see
copyright © John Shield 2003 - 2004
