I <3 SG
31.05 – 03.06
My very first impression when we arrived in Singapore was: Wow! It is so clean and QUIET! The airport seemed to me like a big living room. The waiting room was appointed with carpet and some plants. And the people didn’t talk so loud which was also good for my bad headache since I was sick. The train system is easy and logical and brings you very fast from A to B. In the average we waited for 3 minutes for the next train to arrive. One of the best things of Singapore is that the supermarkets have JELLY BABIES! Yeah! I really miss them here in Indonesia. On the Singapore Flyer (which we regret to have spent the money on as you have an even more amazing view on other skyscrapers) we realized even more how huge this metropolis was. The port seemed –compared to this relatively tiny country – exaggeratedly big. While reaching Singapore with the plane we already saw the numerous ships approaching the harbor.
What I really like about this city is that you can meet so many nationalities. In Little India, the streets were full of Indians. Like in almost every city, there was a Chinatown, where you can find shabby and low-budget shopping malls. And of course you will see many business people staying there for a couple of years as expatriates or just to make their money there. Actually it is hard to define “the Singaporean”. It seems to me that Singapore doesn’t have its own identity but defines itself through all the different cultures who found their homes there. This is so different to all the other cities I have seen and I like different! You have all the conveniences a modern metropolis can offer you but though you are in the middle of Asia having the most exciting nature around you with Indonesia and Malaysia – still in their developing process – just a couple of hours by plane away and you feel when you are talking English, one of the official languages, as if you are in Europe or the States – a futuristic city.
The second night we spent on a sky-bar (try the Singapore Sling! – a girl’s drink but tasty though) where we got to know some Global MBA students, all expatriates from 19 countries around the world as they told me. It was really interesting to get a little insight into the lifes of those so-called “frequent flyers”, those who are already on their way to the next location when they just arrived. We went on to the Marina Bay Sands, this well-known hotel with the sky-platform in the shape of a huge ship. We stayed there an hour dancing to (too) mainstream, all-taste music before having a last wake-up drink with those crazy expats. I hope we can stay in touch despite their busy business life!
On Monday morning we flew to Jakarta – another culture shock! Really: either start with your sight-seeing tour in Jakarta or don’t visit Jakarta right after Singapore. You will wish to go back to Singapore!
My résumé of Singapore: I WILL COME BACK!
Indonesia study trip 