I’m in Singapore right now on vacation. Well sort of… my wife’s family is having a family reunion here, and I’m tagging along. Our three children are also with us.
This is actually my second time here. The first time was 17 years ago to attend my wife’s sister’s wedding. We were there for a week, and didn’t really see a whole lot. We are here for two weeks for this vacation.
To be honest, I’m not having all that great of a time. I hate hot weather, I hate crowds & congestion, I don’t like to shop, and I don’t like eating at restaurants all the time. And shopping and eating are about the only things to do here. We are also staying in a somewhat lower-priced hotel. The rooms are very small, there’s no microwave or refrigerator, and the shower head is on the wall next to the toilet.
Anyway, here are some random observations I’ve made about Singapore:
People are everywhere. The traffic is incredible. The drivers are very aggressive.
Most things are quite a bit more expensive compared to the U.S.
The beer is frick’n expensive. $5 for a warm, 12 ounce can of beer at the store. At a restaurant it’s at least twice that.
Weird napkin policies at restaurants. Either the restaurant will not provide a napkin at all, or they will charge you for one.
When parking your car, you must back in. My sister-in-law says it’s the law.
Tea is usually served in glasses, not mugs.
It’s not uncommon to see two women walking with locked arms or while holding hands. Not sure what’s up with that.
People don’t make eye contact when they pass by each other.
Despite the fact that the vast majority of people here are either Chinese or Malaysian, almost all advertisements feature European/Caucasian models.
Very few fat people.
If you like cute, young, Asian women, this place is for you. There’s a seemingly endless supply of them.
That was almost like us. We were in Singapore this past May for the first time in 15 years.
Go find Brewerkz over on the river at Robertson Quay. They have a nice gimmick where the beer price is determined by what time it is. Cheaper in the afternoon, more expensive in the evening, but then it starts getting cheaper again late at night.
My brother was in Singapore, and went on a nature hike at a park. There were signs identifying plants, discussing local ecology, wildlife, etc. Out of nowhere one of the signs mentioned dragons as if they once walked the earth. He never figured out if it was tongue-in-cheek or serious.
Color me jealous. I lived in Singapore back in the 80s and loved it.
I was there in 83-84. The population nearly doubled between then and 1997, when China took over Hong Kong because of the HK exodus. I can only imagine that it is pretty much elbow to elbow now.
I was able to get some really good bargains on some really nice electronics, clothes, etc. Hunt around and stay out of the big stores - you can find them. I can’t address beer prices between then and now because I don’t drink.
You’ll see men doing it as well. It’s a cultural thing. It takes us a little getting used to because our personal space is a lot bigger than the Malaysian folks.
I would imagine that’s because of the population density.
Oh, my heavens, yes. A small, concentrated pool of beauty. I was in my 30s and single when I lived there. It was pure heaven for me back then.
I was fortunate to visit there about 8 years ago. I really enjoyed the Night Safari. They had a great bat house and the roar of the lions in the dark was quite chilling. I found that the night made it a completely different zoo experience.
My client took me to a food-court type of place. It was weird, though not exactly interesting. I remember not liking the food, but understanding that i really didn’t yet know what was good and what wasn’t.
I thought the trains were clean and easy to navigate, and I remember a lot of flowers everywhere that gave the place a lovely, tropical feel (maybe that was the cute, young women). I’ve twice found the airport was relatively easy to sleep in.
I also like to visit the Botanic Gardens when I travel, and thought the one in Sing was good.
It’s a good set of observations. If you don’t like sweating, scoffing and shopping, then yes, Singapore probably isn’t for you.
The paper napkin seems quite peculiar to Singapore. Either there’s nothing provided or you get a tiny, barely-absorbent piece of napkin paper. Most people seem to carry around a little package of tissues. Littering is taboo in Singapore, so perhaps an artificial shortage of napkins is introduced to avoid excess paper waste.
We’ve been here since July 1, and our 16 year old daughter hasn’t once left the hotel (with the exception of my wife bringing her to a clinic). She says she’s still dizzy from jet lag, and her stomach doesn’t feel well. Not sure what’s going on with her. So my wife and I are taking turns caring for her.
We put on a great storm for you this morning though, eh?
I can’t really argue with (m)any of your observations at all. The fat thing is definitely noticeable. Given that Asian women, on the whole, are also on the shorter side, it makes clothes shopping for those of us who are bigger in any direction a little challenging.
It isn’t actually that hot at the moment IMO, not that that helps you, I know. My recommendation would be to find somewhere with water - head out to Sentosa, Gardens by the Bay, down by the Marina. It will be more bearable even if you don’t get in the water. If you’re still around at the weekend, they are rehearsing for the National Day parade every Saturday evening down at Marina Bay Sands. The fireworks are supposed to be spectacular.
Sorry you’re not enjoying it - I’ve been here almost a year and actually, most of the time (apart from the heat and the expense) I really like it. But it’s definitely a city, albeit a green an pleasant city - lots of people in the centre, eating, shopping and tourist stuff.
You did not mention the Marina sands park. Two of the most spectacular architectural buildig designs are in the park - one building has mainly plants and the other trees. Every person I have know - including myself - who has been there has been knocked over by the scale and beauty of it all.
I suspect you are somewhat new at serious travel and too obsessed with lumpen proletariat concerns to realize the potential of international travel. Stay at the Fairmont and you will find larger rooms in a grand hotel.
If you do want to see fat people, come up to Bangkok. It’s amazing how hefty the Thais have become in the decades I’ve been here. I blame the increasing proliferation of Western fast food. (Yes, I often eat it too, but no one would ever mistake me for a skinny Asian anyway.)
