Singapore – The Garden City of Tomorrow

General Thoughts

Since its independence (and subsequent breakup from Malaysia) half a century ago, the rise of Singapore on the world stage has been nothing short of miraculous. The late Lee Kuan Yew, a highly revered figure in the country and around the world, was famously known for transforming Singapore from economic backwater after independence from Britain to the modern financial and economic powerhouse that it is today (and to a large extent tomorrow as well). There is no place in the world quite like Singapore. 

Impeccably clean and orderly, the result of perhaps some of the strictest and harshest laws in the world (for example sale of gum is illegal, and a substantial import duty means that a Toyota in Singapore can cost as much as a Porsche in other countries), Singapore provides an interesting example in the administration and functioning of a modern nation state. While the political scene is dominated by the ethnic Chinese, Singapore’s true essence can be distilled from its multiracial, multicultural society. The rich culinary heritage of Singapore is a concoction of the Indian, Malay and Chinese people that have made this small city state their home. It is a place where the word “fusion” can be appreciated in every facet of Singapore life, society and culture. Markets and street food vendors appear like a scene from the past century, yet are framed by the futuristic skyline of high-rises and technological wonders such as the otherworldly Gardens by the Bay. 

Singaporeans take great pride in their many achievements on a social and economic level, and deservedly so. In my many conversations with local Singaporeans, I can feel that while they face many of the malaises of the modern world, including skyrocketing house prices (although it is interesting to note that the government subsidizes housing for married couples and families) and a challenging job market, there is a strong sense of conviction to carry on the work of their forefathers. That is the kind of fiery passion and dedication that built Singapore in the 20th century, and will continue to write Singapore’s glorious next chapter in the 21st century.

My Journey in Singapore

For many travellers, Singapore is a stopover on the way to other, more “exotic” destinations in Southeast Asia. Yet look deeper and one will find Singapore to be a country with its own unique brand and cultural identity, a melting pot of expats and locals whose families have lived here for generations. Singapore is a place where stuff happens, yet its sidewalks are impeccably clean and a lush garden or park is never too far away when one takes a walking tour of this city state. Our journey here began where our stomachs told us to go, the Maxwell Hawker Center. This place is filled with food stalls serving a variety of local cuisine at a bargain price. What struck me about the Maxwell Hawker Center is how clean and orderly it was, attributes that one doesn’t normally associate with street food centers. We headed straight towards the Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice stall, where the signature chicken dish is world famous for its simple deliciousness.

• 

• 

• 

• 

After fulfilling our heart’s (and stomach’s) desire for authentic Singaporean food, we headed to the nearby Buddha Tooth Relic temple in Singapore’s Chinatown, an exquisitely designed building that reputedly houses a tooth of the Buddha. Venturing deeper into Chinatown we arrived at the Chinatown food street, featuring every dish imaginable for the Asian food connoisseur. A stone’s throw away is the Sri Mariamman Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in the country, built in 1827. We went inside for a visit, observing the large family gatherings and religious ceremonies that take place frequently at this temple.

On our second day, we spent almost the entire day at Singapore’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site to date, the urban park to dwarf all urban parks: the Botanic Gardens. The Botanic Gardens covers a large area so be prepared to walk a lot if one wants to visit its attractions. Founded more than 150 years ago, the Botanic Gardens feature every species of plant imaginable, with a special collection known as the VIP Orchid Garden featuring orchids named after visiting heads of state. The Gardens are a quiet oasis in the middle of a dense, urban landscape.

Exiting through the Gardens’ southern gate after a very long stroll, we took a bus to the Merlion Park, where the titular Merlion statue (a mascot of Singapore) spouts water into the Singapore River amidst throngs of tourists jostling for the perfect perspective picture (I was amazed by the creativity of some poses). The Merlion Park features a picturesque view of the Singaporean skyline, most notably in the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel.

After stocking our cameras with photos, we walked towards the Lau Pa Sat to taste the market’s signature satay. The air is filled with the smoky flavor of raw tender meat sizzling in mouth-watering sauce and spices. This is a food lover’s (particularly a meat lover’s) paradise. A snack here coupled with a mug of cold beer is what we came to Singapore for.

• 

• 

Our last destination of the day was a visit to the Gardens by the Bay, a futuristic man-made garden which epitomizes Singapore’s renowned status as the garden city. The vertigo-inducing walkways inside these gardens are perched high atop artificial mountains of plants, enveloped every few minutes by a cool mist exuding from above. At the end of our visit around 8 pm, we enjoyed an awe-inspiring performance of light, music and sound effects underneath the signature Supertree Grove. Our long day ended with a succulent dish of chili crab together with an old friend who lives in Singapore.

• 

• 

• 

• 

On our last day in Singapore, we visited the Singapore Zoo, which features a wide variety of exotic animals some of which I have never seen before. After a day at the zoo, we toured Singapore’s Little India, where families gather in picnics on the grass and small shops tout their electronic products to lines of eager buyers. We had dinner at Muthu’s Curry, a well known restaurant serving Indian dishes with a distinctly Singaporean twist. Restaurants like these embody the spirit of Singapore’s multiculturalism and the fusion of culinary arts from various cultural backgrounds. After a delightful dinner, we took the subway to Kampong Glam, Singapore’s Malay quarter. Here, we enjoyed a relaxing evening walk, gazing at the majestic golden domed Masjid Sultan and appreciating the amazing handicrafts of the many shops that flank the boulevards.

• 

• 

• 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites visited in Singapore:

• Singapore Botanic Gardens

See more pictures from my adventures in Singapore at:
https://storiesofnoah.com/gallery-view/singapore/