I’m Singaporean Chinese (3rd generation) who lives in the Housing Development Board flat (HDB), a public housing with my family. I just want to share my beloved country with the rest of the world, though sometimes we Singaporeans complain about the high cost of living here. (But then, it is really expensive).
Can you imagine paying S$90,000 for a piece of paper also known as the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) before you have the right to purchase a 1600cc car here? Yes, its true but it also depends on your luck, a few years back, car owners just had to pay $3000 for COE. The hike is because our government is tightening the number of cars allowed on the road to control road congestion. HDB flats cost about $200k to $1 million dollars, depending on the size, location and whether it is resale flat or not.
Singapore is a multi-racial country with a demographic of about 75% Chinese, 13% Malays, 9% Indians and the other groups like Eurasians form 3% Singaporeans.
Esplanade theatre by the bay
Singapore is a garden and cosmopolitan city that attracts talents from all over the world. In this small island of about 700 km sq (about 40km by 20km), there are about 5 millions people residing here, of which 64% are Singaporeans and the rest are foreigners and permanent residents.
There is no natural resource, only people. All Singaporeans have to go through 10 years of compulsory education. Can’t afford? The government will pay for the education via the Financial Assistance Scheme.
It is a very safe city as there is strict enforcement and law. Anyone caught smuggling drug will face capital punishment and there is the caning which make us world famous. Litterbugs caught littering need to pay fine of up to $1000. Repeat offenders need to do Corrective Work Order (CWO). They have to clean up the public places while donning bright neon vest. In the past, our national newspaper took photos of them and published it to shame them. We rarely hear of CWO now though.
Of course, do not take safety for granted. Lately, there was news of some of our troubled youths who got themselves and others into trouble. Perhaps, we are victims of our success. Parents have no time to monitor their kids. Do not stare at the youths unnecessary. Don't worry, it is only the minority. Most of our youths are rather studious and law-abiding citizens.
Most Singaporeans are not concern with the chewing gum ban. In the past, people just threw the used gum on the lifts buttons and wall. Moreover, there is an abundant of other great sweets and food.
It is a very safe place especially for solo female traveller. As a female Singaporean, even when I stay out late at 1 am, I still feel safe. Of course, don’t venture to geylang, a red-light district and the forest, and you will be fine.
It is important to be mindful especially at crowded place, as there could be pick pockets.
We live in harmony and are respectful of each other religions and races. Don’t be surprise if you see Chinese temple located besides the Hindu temple at the waterloo street.
As a nation, we have public holidays for the major festivals like the Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya and Christmas Day. I still remember about ten years ago, my Malay muslim neighbors would share with us cookies and chicken curry they prepared and placed all the dishes on a big tray. We would reciprocate by sharing with them cookies and cake we baked and mindful of sharing only Halal food with our Muslim neighbors only. Sadly they have moved out and there is no more delicious malay dishes from my neighbors.
Central Business District
Our ‘first language’ is English language. All subjects except for Mother Tongue are taught in English. For me, I converse in Mandarin and Teochew dialect at home with my family. Though, it is a cosmopolitan country and westernize, we also value our cultures and traditions. Most Singaporeans are still traditional and conservative. Almost all shops except for fast-food restaurants are closed during Chinese New Year for about 2 days as most Chinese will rest and visit relatives during this festival.
Night Scene
In this small island, there are many activities that you can engage in. The night scene here is more vibrant. If you love the nightlife, you can party at St James power station, drink and watch soccer match at the many pubs located along the Clark Quay, or perhaps have a late night supper along the Geylang where there is an abundant of great food, though at certain Geylang street, it is a red-light districts. We also have the world first night safari.
Food Paradise
Singapore is a food paradise where the very best Asian food like fried carrot cake and fried flat noodles, which are first invented by the Teochew Chinese. There is also the delicious fried Hokkian mee (noodles) and chili crab, Hainanese chicken rice. You get to enjoy Malay delicious nasi lemak (coconut rice with fried egg, chicken wings, peanuts and the chilli), satay and laksa, the Indian have the roti prata, fish head curry and last but not least, the western cuisine, be it Italian, British, Spanish or France. Yes, even though Singapore is a hot and humid country, we Singaporeans love our chilies. Visit these sites to see the food!
Lau Pa Sat: http://www.laupasat.biz/home.html
I eat I shoot I post: http://ieatishootipost.
Singaporeans commonly like to greet each other on whether they have eaten. Food is always on our mind.
Museums
There are also many museums in Singapore, from the following links; there are about 33 museums and increasing. The more popular and well-known are the National Museum of Singapore and Ancient Civilization Museum near the Raffles place MRT.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museums_in_Singapore
Adventure
If you love adventure or theme park, visit the Sentosa park where there are many activities like beaches and Universal studio. You can visit this link to find out more at http://www.sentosa.com.
Shopping
Shopping? Visit orchard road where there are rows and rows of shopping centres like the Ion, Ngee Ann city, Paragon , Orchard Central and many more.
Nature
Do go to MacRitchie reservoir park and enjoy the nature. Try the tree top walk where you get to see the vast forest at the top of the free-standing suspension bridge. There are also the famous Botanic garden and Henderson bridge. Visit this site to find out more http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=naturereserves&id=49&Itemid=75
Free Activities
In this blog, I’m going to share with you the some free activities you get to enjoy in this expensive city.
You can alight at the Cityhall MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) train, walk along the citylink mall, which is an underground shopping mall to the Esplanade theatre.
In the Esplanade theatres on the bay, you can rest your legs with many chairs inside the concourse area and admire the visual arts exhibition. Or you can go to the Esplanade library at level 3 and just browse the books or magazines relating to music. There are many restaurants and retail shops. After a short rest, you can walk out of the Esplanade and just sit outside along the many benches and just relax in the cool weather and admire the beautiful city skyline. There are free indoor and outdoor performances from Friday eveing to Sunday evening.
The free laser and water performance, known as the Wonder Full show at the Marina Bay Sand start at 8pm and 9.30pm daily. I strolled along the tree-lined path to the helix bridge, which looks like DNA structure to the Marina Bay Sand. On the way, I also saw Singapore flyer, the world largest observation wheel.
With an hour to go before the show, I just walked into the Marina Bay shopping centre where you find many branded stores like Chanel, Hermes and many more. I saw many people dressed to the nine what with the beautiful gowns. At 7.30pm, I sat at the Event plaza to get the best view for the show.
You can view the Wonder Full show at
http://www.marinabaysands.com/Singapore-Attractions/WonderFull/
However, if you want to watch the laser show and the Marina Bay building, you should wait outside the Esplanade theatre. The show is about 13 minutes.
Also it depends on the weather too
Interesting Facts about Singapore
1) Singapore is the only country which requires car owners to have the Certificate of Entitlement ( COE, a piece of paper) first before they can own a new car. COE for a medium-sized car can costs $100,000. Singapore is the most expensive place to own a car.
2) Our leaders are the highest paid leader in the world. Our Prime Minister’s salary is much more higher than Obama, USA President.
3) Singaporeans speak Singlish which is a combination of English, Hokkian (Chinese dialect), Malay and Indian. It actually break the barrier and bond the citizens better.
4) Do not take Singapore efficiency reputation for granted. Lately events like Orchard Road flooding, over budget of youth olympic, high housing and transport costs, breakdown of MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) woke us up. Try to take bus and not MRT.
General Tips
From November to January, it is monsoon season. Do bring your umbrella as it rain frequently. The only consolation is the weather is much cooler. Normally it is about 34 degree Celsius and cool down to 24 degrees Celsius at night.
Do not seat on the reserved seat meant for the elderly, pregnant women and others who need it in the public SBS bus and MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) train.
Sun set in the city.
There are some kapo (nosey) people who will take picture of you seating on the reserved seat and post it in citizens news website like the Stomp site.
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/ugly_commuters/
Singaporeans speak Singlish which is a combination of English, Chinese dialect and Malay. Eg wau lau ( exclamation when you are angry), kiasu (scare to lose).
If you are going to eat seafood at Newton food centre, always check the price first. Newton food centre has received many complains for overcharging tourists.
Although Singapore is safe, do be mindful of pickpockets and general safety. Also don't stare at youth who gathered in group.
There are many places that have no-smoke zones. It is against the law to smoke indoor.
For delicious and cheap food, go to residential area like Tampines circle hawker centre, old airport hawker centre.
For S$3.00 you can get a plate of delicious fried hokkian noodle, fried carrot cake, laksa and many more.
You don't have to tip service staff as there is compulsory service charge at 10% and 7% GST (Goods Service tax), which makes it a total of 17% in restaurants. You don't have to pay 7% GST and 10% service charge at hawker center. Of course if you really want to express your thanks to the servers and want to tip, you can go ahead.
