The Lion City: Singapore

            Singapore is a stunning city. Many people are under the impression that all of Asia is underdeveloped and not as prosperous as the western world. Singapore is an absolute exception.

            When I first applied for Semester at Sea and realized that we would be visiting Singapore I was extremely excited. Being a business student, I often read about Singapore in case studies because it is a story of economic and social success.

            The government of Singapore centrally controls the City. While the government and its leader  are praised for their leadership in transforming Singapore from a British colony, to an Independent Nation, you can tell the people are held to extremely high standards. As one taxi driver said, “the government control everything, housing, business, even the taxi meter.” I noticed that as we past through the city streets there were checkpoints that looked like traffic lights, but instead they were fee checkpoints that automatically take away money off of a prepaid monitoring control system in the taxi/car. My taxi driver explained that you have to pay a $1 for every checkpoint, but if you don’t have any money left on your prepaid care you get fined $9. A hefty return on investment for the government of Singapore!

Some fun facts that make Singapore the “FINE” city are:

- $500 for not flushing a public toilet

- $1000 for urinating in an elevator (I didn’t know anybody did that?)

- $500 for chewing gum or spitting

- $500 for eating on the metro system

- $1000 for littering

Additionally:

- It is Illegal to Sell Gum

- Drug Trafficking is punishable by death

Singapore. The "Fine" City

            While the government maintains tight control over it’s people, you can see where some of the money has gone. The buildings are extremely modern, the streets of the city are the cleanest I have ever see, the transportation system is efficient, sterile, and extremely high-tech, and the shopping is high class. A friend described it as, “Rodeo Drive on Steroids.” One of the building I visited called the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, is a three towered building, with a 57^th floor stretched across all three of the building, containing a bar (which I enjoyed a local “Tiger,” beer at), three Olympic sized infinity swimming pool, and restaurants. It’s an absolutely incredible building and the best view of the amazing Island of Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel, 57th Floor

             I wish that we would have been able to stay in Singapore for longer than 12 hours, but we made the most of it. Four of my friends happened to be on a United Nations Conference there, so I was able to meet up with some familiar faces, which was nice too. It made me a little homesick, but I am already in the final stretch so I think I know to enjoy it while it lasts. Some of the day’s events included touring along the river and harbor, visiting the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel, Segqwaying in Sentosa Amusement Park, visiting the China Town Market, having a tiger beer at the bar. We also attempted to go see the Malion- the symbol of Singapore (Nicknamed the Lion City), but it was unfortunately under renovation.

Segwaying in Singapore with the Canadians

It is a very posh and modern city, and I hope to go back one day and visit for longer than 12 hours!

Next Stop: Vietnam and Cambodia. We have also changed our itinerary and are now going to Taiwan instead of Japan (April 4-7^th), due to the recent events.