Welcome to Singapore!
By Jonathan Lee
Singapore! A small island nation situated south of Thailand and Malaysia, smack dab between Malaysia and Indonesia. Aside from being one of the richest Asian nations thanks to its wide net of trade and its knack for innovation (a necessity in advancing a country so small), it is also a jewel of tourism and mixing cultures that make it accessible to visitors of all sorts.
FOOD CULTURE
Food is what some may call a second religion here in Singapore. There are many countries that celebrate their own unique food cultures, but rarely does a country’s food culture become something more than just a unique set of recipes. Food is a means of welcoming a visitor to one’s house. When a guest comes to your house, you ask them if they’ve eaten yet. And even when you’re out of the house, there is seldom a hangout that doesn’t revolve around a table with food here. The kinds of food you can expect are everything from things I’d see around Cleveland like fried chicken and cheeseburgers, to things more exotic like the Singaporean dishes of Laksa and Chicken Rice. Or how about a trip to Little India for Indian food? Looking for seafood? Try the barbecue sting ray, or the famous chili crab. Thirsty? Have a refreshing cup of sugar cane juice, rose-essence drink, or bubble tea. When you’re in Singapore, you’ll never run out of things to try. I’m serious! Over twelve visits, and I’m still trying new things. And the selection keeps growing.
GETTING AROUND (And Maybe More Food)
Public transportation in Singapore is something of a modern marvel. One might think cities like New York may have its public transportation (somewhat) down with its chaotic plethora of subway tunnels, taxi fleets, and the rise of app-based services such as Uber, but seeing is believing, my friends. The small nation of Singapore has a talent for great organization, and public transportation is a great example of that. Because of its nation-wide subway system (called the MRT), its fleet of buses and taxis, and its safe streets, it’s easy to get to any part of the island with little to no fuss. Thanks to the general safety and organization of the public transport system, most people walk to their destinations while hopping from transport station to station. During my stay, it was easy to work up an appetite! And thank goodness there was food, quite literally, at the end of every MRT station. At one station, I was greeted by the food court of a huge shopping mall. At another station, a long string of food stalls leading to another MRT platform. Singapore LOVES food. And it’ll be there to tempt you almost every step of the way.
Thankfully, local food in Singapore is affordable, and well-portioned! (Maybe too generous for the likes of me as I came to eat way too much.)
SINGAPORE LOVES RULES
Just make sure you follow the rules! Singapore is incredibly safe, the food is plentiful, and the city is gosh-darn gorgeous. But they’re very particular about having their laws followed, and they’ve a big fine for about anything they think you should not be doing. So, when you visit Singapore, just be on your best behavior, and enjoy!
SINGAPORE ALSO LOVES FUN
One of the most fun attractions in Singapore is Sentosa, a tourist resort area that was once sprawling with green. But now, it’s the fun capital of Singapore with big attractions such as the massive SEA Aquarium, and Universal Studios Singapore, both of which are amazing! (How could I NOT ride the 3D Transformers ride five times?)
But if you’re looking for something more intellectual and surreal, why not check out the Supertree Grove? A place where advanced, sustainable technology meets beautiful engineering and architecture. Or the Garden Domes, where botanical preservation meets aesthetic presentation. Personally, you can’t go to Singapore without checking out all of the above! A bit of an action nut? There’s also rock climbing, luge board riding, and ziplining when you check out Sentosa.
Looking for a good drink? C’mon, you’re looking at the home of the Singapore Sling! This island nation is no stranger to good drinks, and thinking up of new ones! But if you’re looking for a real good place to go for a drink, why not check out the Tippling Club, or No. 5 Emerald Hill?
Final Thoughts
I can’t get enough of this place. Aside from the various cultures that one can experience in one city, there’s an authenticity to each that just isn’t there when you go to New York or San Diego. The difference can be seen in the way the food is made, the people you see around you, and the kinds of markets in each area that provide the means for each culture to thrive on this sophisticated island. Food aside, the architectural and botanical beauty of the city is also something to truly behold and admire. Once, Singapore had developed a reputation of not having enough green. The nation took it to heart and now it’s a garden city with streets all lined with trees, roofs carpeted with gardens, and a great focus on sustainable technology. And of course, Singapore is unbelievably clean. Fun, food, too many things to see—Singapore is a vacation destination that I would recommend to anyone.
