Singapore wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. Given its image as a hyper-clean, hyper-lawful place, I expected a very regimented, orderly, clean, and police-heavy city. I found none of that.
In fact, in three days wandering the city, I never once saw anything that looked like a police officer or even a security guard. Maybe it is the fear of reprisal that keeps people in line. Laws in Singapore are harsh- very harsh, which is probably why there is no need to keep a large police presence on the street.
Despite not living up to my police state expectations, the city was a lot of fun. Singapore is often described as a three-day city, as most people hit the few main sites and think there isn’t anything else to see. While the city didn’t scream exciting, crazy, or action-packed to me, one could easily spend a week in Singapore and still find a lot to do .
Singapore can be walked in a solid day or a leisurely two. There’s a good mix of colonial-style buildings, low-rise houses, and high-rise modern office towers. The wide streets, clean air, and large buildings make for a very nice walk. You can walk from Little Arabia to Chinatown in about 45 minutes, and that stretch pretty much encompasses most of the central area of the city. If you want to get adventurous, you could walk out into the suburbs, but there’s no real reason to.
Singapore gets very hot but, luckily, there is a whole underground network of air conditioned malls and “streets” that connect the downtown area. You can stay cool, do a bit of shopping, do some eating, and just meander until you’re ready to hit the mean streets again.
Besides being known for strict rules, Singapore is also known for its food. Little India and Chinatown are two of the most famous foodie parts of the city. You’ll find great dim sum, noodles, beef, and other Chinese delicacies in Chinatown. Over in Little India, you’ll find a little slice of Asia. From what I’ve been told, it’s the closest you can get to India without actually being there. Try the places on the main street where everyone eats with their hands. It’s an enjoyable experience. Just make sure you know whether it is OK to eat with your hands. Otherwise, the proprietors will start to give you dirty looks if you dig in with your fingers instead of the silverware they provide. Not that I speak from experience or anything. For your final meal, head to what I dub “Little Arabia.” A section of town near the mosque that is filled with great Malay and Arab food. If you are looking for more high-end food, there are tons of restaurants all over the city. The city is a gastronomical dream.
The big attraction in Singapore is the zoo. The Singapore Zoo is famous for its breadth, as well as its natural habitats and good animal treatment. The Zoo is a bit outside the city center and takes about an hour to get to by public transport. But it is worth it. There are lions and tigers and bears from around the world, as well as elephants, zebras, monkeys, and much more. The animals aren’t kept behind bars, but are separated from visitors by large gulleys, making it a better environment for everyone. This, however, doesn’t keep the monkeys in one place, and you can see them swinging all over the zoo. This makes for a much more natural experience and allows you to really get up close to the animals. There’s also an excellent night safari, where you can see some of the creatures of the night – like annoying tourists who don’t listen and use their flash cameras. Both adventures will hit the wallet hard (expect a day, with food, to cost about 60 Singapore dollars), but, if you only do one thing in Singapore, this should be it.
For those wanting some “excitement,” Sentosa Island just south of the mainland (connected via the train) is a good place to see an underwater aquarium, party on the beach, live in luxury, and hang out with dolphins. I didn’t make it there for lack of time, but all the big clubs are located there, a few big hotels, a beach, and some parks. Every December they also host one of the biggest parties in Southeast Asia – ZoukOut. It’s an all night beach rave. Clearly, you can have some fun in Singapore.
