Singapore... Clean Freaks!

---

After only a brief 24 hours trip to Singapore, here are a couple of things we saw/did/thought about Singapore:



1) The first thing to hit you is the cleanliness. The city is absolutely spotless but doesnt seem to be militantly enforced, just respected. Karen a.k.a. Mummy Pearson would be in her element here. You can actually be fined $500 dollars for being in possession of chewing gum!



2) Singapore is a very wealthy and affluent city and distinctly un-Asian in comparison to other large South East Asian cities:
- People ride on the metro rather than scooters; there are very few motorbikes and scooters and no tuk-tuks.
- There is not really any street food on sale anywhere
- The public transport is efficient and runs on time
- It is actually illegal to be homeless; homeless people are taken to jail.



3) Singapore is home to a large number of skinny fat guys. The only evidence of any sport at all was a couple of table tennis tables.



4) Year round the weather is low to mid 30's, very humid with sudden heavy downpours of rain. In other words, you will get wet, its just a matter of whether its sweat or rain storm that gets you.



5) The metro system is incredible:
- the trains are immaculate and no graffiti to be seen
- well air-conditioned
- Marble stonework in the stations...now they are just showing off



6) The water show in Marina Bay is a must see, telling a tale through images and colours in the water. We were beside a little boy who was leaping in the air with excitement, waving at the images of children... It was brilliant to experience his excitement.





7) The Merlion - half lion, half sea creature spurting water into the Marina, a symbol of the City.



8) The Marina bay has one of the most up-market and impressive shopping centres you will ever see. Some of the main features include:
- many expensive restaurants
- a huge theatre
- a huge water feature leading into a river which runs the length of the ground floor
- an ice rink

- Cusine of your choice (Japanese, Portugese, Malaysian, Italian, Indian... You name it they've got it in the Food Court)

-Numerous fancy shops... Girl's heaven!!!

---