Singapore; The City of Do’s and Do Not’s

If you like modern cities you will love Singapore. The city is tastefully modern, ultra clean, and extremely organized and easy to get around. Of course this cleanliness and orderliness comes at a price; the do’s and do not’s. You can’t walk down a block without noticing the many signs that inform you of what you are to do, “Walk within the yellow lines,” and are not to do, “No Durians (a type of fruit) allowed.” These restrictions come with a very high fine which I would think explains why people abide. In the end it does make it a more enjoyable, cleaner city to be in.

Their public transportation (the metro system and buses) made it so easy for us to get around and see the city without confusion and getting lost. The first afternoon and evening was spent walking along their riverfront watching boats and crossing from either side of the river by the many pedestrian bridges they have built. One area of this riverfront, Clarke Quay, is known for its Dr. Seuss meets the Jetsons vibe because of its architecture and colors; it’s an exciting site to see. Further down the river we indulged in a 1.2 kilo crab for the two of us. It was delicious!

In addition to the crab we had a lot of other good meals in Singapore and have now become regulars at the “Hawker Stalls,” where you find good, cheap, local food. The unique thing about Singapore is that they do not allow food to be sold on the street; instead all food selling entities must be registered and located in these large food court-like places or restaurants. We first made the mistake of going to the food venue where Anthony Bourdain (and all other tourists) went. The food was only so-so. Luckily our last night we stumbled upon a local food market with authentic meals which were so flavorful and delicious.

Of course we did more than just eat in Singapore; we toured the botanical gardens, wandered through streets, took a ride up to a viewing tower to see a 360 degree view of Singapore, its massive port, and the surrounding islands. We may not have seen all the typical attractions, but I left feeling satisfied.