Back in the States – Oh wait, it’s just Singapore!

So, we took yet again another fantastic VIP bus from KL to Singapore through one of the easiest and most efficient border crossings ever. We got dropped off at a metro station and were totally blown away by how clean, modern, and efficient the whole system is here (I’d actually use those same words to describe the entire country). We were only in Singapore for four days, but we managed to see quite a bit of the county both on foot and with the help of the metro – size-wise it is really just a dot of a country on a world map.
On the metro

Most people associate Singapore with a strict police state, but I didn’t feel that presence very much. There are signs in places that threaten hefty fines for things like littering, spitting, or bringing bombs onto the metro, but really, who needs those things, anyway? And again, even if English is not the official language, it is the defacto first language here. For example, if someone bumps you on the metro, there first reaction is to say “I’m sorry” in English.
Sends a pretty clear message

Singaporeans love their electronics, shopping, movies, and eating – these are my kind of people. Jeff described Singapore as “one big mall”, which I would definitely say has some truth behind it. You could spend days here walking from high-end mall to high-end mall and shop until you drop in air-conditioned bliss. So, when in Rome… we took in a few movies (all in English) and spent time on Orchard Road, which has been rated the #1 shopping street in the world – did I mention I love it here? It was rough
Of all places we found a Hershey's store in the mall

We stopped by the obligatory tourist sites as well including the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (say that three times fast), 12 beautiful temples with both Chinese and Hindu influence. We checked out the old Colonial Town which still has some well preserved British colonial buildings and great walking streets. We also stopped by Little India to peruse the markets and people watch. On our last day, we went out to the MacRitchie Reservoir for some trail walking – Singapore’s version of New York’s Central Park. It is really hot here, the temperature hovers around 90 degrees and the humidity pushes 100% most days, so we stuck to shaded paths and trails. Given the weather, locals seek refuge in the air-conditioned malls and you can walk between most buildings in the downtown either underground or through sky bridges – you could literally spend days here and never walk outside.
At the market in Little India
Little India
A building at the monestary
A Buddha garden at the monestary
A walking trail at the Resevoir
At the Resevoir
On an old cricket field- with the Singapore skyline in the back
This is how they do ice cream on the street here- a block of ice cream in between a slice of bread- wasn't that bad actually
Snazzy architecture here- it's supposed to be a boat on top

All in all, I would have to say that most people I know would love Singapore. It’s so modern and above all else, clean, which is hard to come by in Southeast Asia. It is also a great jumping off point in Asia and easy to get to – check it out! We fly to the Philippines next and we’ll post soon!