Singapore

For a long time I was trying to figure out how I was going to write an intro for Singapore, my new home, that would make it justice and the inspiration suddenly came on Singapore Airlines flight SQ016 to San Francisco. We were travelling in the new business class on the Boeing 777-300ER. The experience was nothing less than perfect!  

The business class product was like nothing I’ve seen up to date. Very spacious, supple leather seats, lie-flat beds (being 190 cm I was able to stretch out completely), the cabin interior was beautifully appointed, the service impeccable, the food delicious, the fragrance in the bathroom scent-full but not repugnant, dare I say it – the flight attendants young and beautiful … and even their make-up and nail colours were perfectly matched. Basically, the whole flight felt like I spent it on my couch at home, in front of the TV! 

No detail was left untouched, everything worked, all the components of the whole trip from stepping out of the taxi at Changi airport to disembarking in San Francisco were seamlessly put together. Each component fed into the overall ‘Singapore Airlines experience’. 

And that is exactly how Singapore (the country) is. Like a perfectly run corporation … Singapore Inc. as it is often called.

Of course, Singapore has a reputation preceding it, for it has been called many things over the last few decades: a nanny state, conservative, lacking freedom of speech and controlling. Who doesn’t recall that you cannot chew gum in Singapore, or that caning is a form of punishment, or that your immigration card that you receive on your flight to Singapore states ‘Death for drug traffickers under Singapore law’.

You may call this hard-fisted approach whatever you wish, however, when you come to Singapore don’t be shocked if you find out that everything works efficiently, the economy is dynamic, the city is spotless, let alone very safe and people are very polite and offer you a level of service that no European or North American country can match. If you want to call this a repressive society, so be it. My view is different: the rules are clear, the repercussions too, so follow the rules and you will partake in an experience that is like no other. This is the Singapore that I know ☺ 

Now that you know my view on Singapore, let me also tell you the things that you absolutely have to do while visiting. Any Singaporean will proudly tell you that they have two national pastimes: shopping and eating. You will be amazed at how many world-class shopping malls you will find, offering you a grand selection of clothes, electronics, furniture, you name it. And the food selection and quality is just as varied and superb. May it be from stylish restaurants at Rochester Place to hawker centres all around the island, the simple delight in having a delicious meal is a true Singapore experience.

While visiting, also make sure you carefully listen to the local English, otherwise referred to as Singlish. I will give you just one example. Marketing is not a course you take during your MBA studies but is simply the act of going to the market ☺ And there are many more similar examples! 

The other interesting observation that I found is that Singaporeans love their acronyms. From experience I can honestly say that sometimes it’s hard to follow a conversation for you have no clue what HDB (Housing & Development Board), ERP (Electronic Road Pricing), MRT (Metropolitan Regional Transport), PIE (Pan-Island Expressway) and countless other acronyms actually mean. So if you’re like me, you will find yourself asking for clarification continuously.

To conclude, a Canadian friend that has lived in Singapore for many, many years summarized the whole Singapore experience in this way: they under-promise and over-perform. It’s a welcome reprise from experiences in most other countries, where you will find the exact opposite to be the truth.

To learn more facts on Singapore, check out my blog entries on a Study Trip that I did, visiting various governmental and non-governmental agencies:

DAY 2  -  DAY 3

GETTING HERE

Singapore is a big hub for South-East Asia so you will not have trouble getting here. However, don't forget to check into discount airlines, either for flying into Singapore or to discover the rest of South-East Asia from here. The main discount airlines are Silk Air, Tiger Airways, JetStar, Lion Air and Air Asia. For more information on which airlines serve Singapore go to the Changi Airport website, which includes information on the brand new Terminal 3 which opened in January 2008.

HOTELS

GETTING AROUND TOWN

> Public transport in Singapore is incredibly cheap, very efficient and spotless. You could easily eat a pancake off of the MRT (metro) floor. However, if you’re feeling slightly lazy, a taxi ride will in no way set-you back substantial amounts of money. Actually, you will be shocked how cheap a taxi ride really is. So go ahead and call Comfort Cab (+65 6552 1111), or simply flag a cab down on the road to take you to the next shopping mall.

> YourSingapore: for more information on Singapore, make sure you go to the website of the Singapore Tourism Board. They have a wealth of information on their portal. 

INTERESTING THINGS TO DO 

RESTAURANTS / BRUNCHES / BARS

SNAPSHOTS OF SINGAPORE

SHOPPING

> shopping malls anyone? These are my favourite ... the centre of it all Orchard Road, Vivo City, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Suntec City, Paragon, Plaza Singapura, Ngee Ann City. If you're looking for electronics, the place to go is Funan Digital Life Mall and Sim Lim Square Mall on 1 Rochor Canal Road. Just remember, never buy anything on the ground floor ... the saying is that only tourists shop on the ground floor, meaning, the prices are the highest there. 

> Need plates? 

> 24 hour shopping extravaganza at Mustafa Centre 

> Tailored suits for men anyone? 

> John Erdos Gallery - furniture that's edgy and raw

Bojan Tercon

Comments

[Serene]

Hi Bo~! wow thanks for your great comments on singapore~! glad dat your experience in singapore was so great~! ^^ im a singaporean studying in seoul now & frankly speaking after being here in seoul for some time, i realised that i still love singapore the most, like u've said singapore is a great place to be in..! ^^

[Kylie]

Hi Bo!!!I think its cool that u enjoy singapore so much.I'm a singaporean and don't even know some of the places you have written about.It also gives me a great feeling that foreigners like singapore and are praising the country for its efficiency.

[Nazirah]

Wow, im glad u love S'pore. I'm a Singaporean and i've ran out of ideas where to go here. Maybe i shld try where u have gone to. ;)

[Kate]

Yes Bo,

You have done it all (travells) thank you for sharing.

I love Malaysia for the wildlife but never been.

[Sylvia]

Wow Bo,
Thank you so much, I plan to visit Singapore mid August and I am looking forward to visiting many of your recommendations. I was told that there was very little to do in Singapore but it looks like my days will be jam packed - Thank for your great advice.
Sylvia - Ireland.

[Theresa Tan]

I love what you've written about our sunny little island, especially the bit about how we "underpromise and overperform". Growing up in Singapore has made me take its efficiency for granted till I had to pack my bags & live elsewhere. I must say you do know my island more than me & I definitely have to check out some of the places you have described the next time I go home!