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History, culture, sandy beaches, exotic food and irresistible shopping malls – Singapore has them all! It’s an island where East really does meet West, thanks to its former status as a British Colony. This really helped my husband John and I to find our way round – as all the signs were written in English as well as Chinese and most people spoke English too. It’s an island of contrasts – old colonial meets modern skyscrapers, traditional markets meet modern malls, old Chinese music meets karaoke bars. In short – there is something for everyone of every age.
Our hotel, the 3* Orchard Grand Court was situated on the fringe of the shopping belt and offered virtually all that we wanted - sauna, swimming pool, garden terrace, air-conditioning and a wonderful choice of international and Asian cuisine. The staff were warm and friendly and couldn't do enough to ensure that we were well looked after.
Our first activity on arrival was to cruise down the Singapore River in an authentic bumboat with eyes painted on the bows to symbolize good luck. This guided tour provided a perfect introduction to the history of the island and its many sites and we relaxed and enjoyed the gentle breeze that drifted over the river – glad of the brief respite from the intense Equatorial heat that would take a couple of days to get used to.
After disembarking we made our way to the Raffles Hotel for a ‘Singapore Sling,’ a refreshing pink-coloured cocktail that used to be a favourite of Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of the colony in 1819 as a trading post.
The next day we wandered through Chinatown with its fascinating market stalls selling strange looking roots, fresh and dried vegetables and herbal remedies. The scent of spices and aromatic oils mingled with the smell of fresh fish and ripe fruit and customers haggled in every language! We saw trinkets, antiques and knick-knacks that spoke of a time long past and beautiful hand-embroidered clothes that you would never find back home. I bought a red and gold silk dressing gown and some wooden hand made wind chimes – converting from Singapore Dollars to £15 in total! What a bargain!
We ended our tour of this wonderful ethnic quarter with a visit to the elaborately painted Sri Mariamman Temple – the oldest temple on the island. Our guide informed us that we should ring the bell on entering to inform the gods of our arrival! The quiet interior of the temple contrasted vividly with the noise and bustle of Chinatown – a stone’s throw away.
That evening we ate a delicious meal of fresh shrimps, lightly spiced and served with soft noodles, peppers and mushrooms in a traditional restaurant on the Clarke Quay, a bustling waterfront area with nightspots and restaurants that cater for every whim and fancy. We were spoiled for choice – and even the most expensive restaurant was cheap by comparison to English eateries.
The following day we took a bus to the Singapore Zoo on the western side of the island. There we spent the whole day, mesmerized by the beautiful animals that lived without cages – though thankfully at a safe distance behind deep trenches! White tigers, lemurs, elephants, deer, bears, apes….and so many others. A ‘Rainforest Trail’ reconstructed the atmosphere of a genuine rainforest where exotic birds and butterflies flew around us. When one beautiful butterfly landed on my arm I was delighted. A night safari in the vast wildlife park revealed a host of different animals – many endangered species – engaging in their night time activities, hunting, prowling and playing. This was a magical experience.
The next day we took a cable car from the World Trade Centre to Sentosa Island, where we strolled through herb-scented gardens to the statue of the mighty Merlion, the symbol of Singapore. As its name implies, it takes the form of a lion’s head with the tail of a fish and its role is the guard the island. From the top of the Merlion Tower we enjoyed panoramic views of the island, its lagoons and sandy beaches with palm trees, its lush greenery and tiny beach bars. This truly felt like an island paradise. A special rock seat at the southern tip of the island enjoys fame as being situated at the southernmost point of the Asian Continent. From the island we took a cable car over to Mount Faber, crossing unspoiled rainforest. The views from this height were fantastic and we enjoyed a cold beer on the terrace of the café at the top of the mountain.
The following day we explored modern Singapore, with is skyscrapers and malls. In the centre we found all the British big-name stores – M&S, Top Shop, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridges and many more. As I spent more and more money I decided to label these cool, air-conditioned malls ‘Danger Zones!’ Honestly – they were impossible to resist. I bought four skirts, six tops, a dress and two pairs of shorts. John bought quite a lot too! When we discovered the Hard Rock Café we were in seventh heaven!
The next day we visited the ‘Escape Theme Park,’ with adventure rides, games and fun-filled carnivals that were heaven for both adults and children. Flume rides, Go-Karting, roller-coasters… everything for the white-knuckle rides enthusiast! This was nail-biting fun.
For museum enthusiasts Singapore boasts the Ming Museum with its priceless collection of fine porcelain, numerous art galleries and the National Museum that traces the history of the island. The residents of Singapore are proud of their multi-cultural island – and the array of museums is awesome. For theatre fans there are numerous dramatic arts centers, classical and modern music concerts and just about anything else you could ever wish for.
What impressed me most was the multi-cultural aspect of the island. East and West united in perfect harmony within a spotlessly clean city that wasn’t like any city I have seen before. No litter, no dog pooh, no chewing gum (illegal to buy) no alcohol in the streets, no graffiti, no foul language, no drunkenness and little or no crime. It makes me wonder how the people of Singapore have managed to defy the louts and vandals to create this wonderful haven in which the elderly and the young can wander safely through the teeming streets.
Maybe we in Britain can learn something from them?
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