Merlion Park
I went to Singapore last August 09 with my college friends. We’ve been planning this trip for months and we’re super excited. The wait is worth it because the country is really amazing. I took a lot of pictures, and used up all my 16GB memory.
Here are 7 reasons why you should visit Singapore
1. Efficient Transportation System
The Singapore MRT
It was my first time to ride on a train. Yes, I’m so lame. What I love about riding on a train is that there’s no hassle or worry about getting late because there’s no traffic. There’s always an MRT or bus stations at every corner of Singapore, so there’s no problem on getting to places. There’s also the EZ-Link card that works on all transportation vehicles, so you don’t need to bring money to pay, just top-up your card and swipe it when getting in the bus/mrt station. I hope Cebu will have this system soon (I heard buses like these will be implemented here in the city)
2. Singapore is CLEAN
Going to Esplanade Theatre
I don’t see any litter around the city. That’s because there is actually a No Littering law imposed that will fine you a thousand SGD if you’re caught throwing stuff around. There’s also a “No Spitting” law so don’t you dare throw your mouth liquids on Singapore streets.
3. FOOD FOOD FOOD!
Chinatown Hawker Center
This is mostly why I’m excited to go to Singapore: the FOOD! I always see it on TV and Chef SeeToh’s TV show The Food Surprise, roaming around SG for best local food 🙂 And I was not disappointed, the food is great and really really good!
The famous SG favorite, Chicken Rice 🙂 I’ve eaten 3 consecutive meals with this and it’s really delicious!
And how can you miss the yummy spicy Chili Crab!
Finally tried Kway-Teow. It’s also really good!
Brewerkz Signature Wheat Beer. It’s a bit expensive but it’s the best beer I’ve ever tasted!
Esplanade’s Hawker Centre
4. Shopping
I think you can find all the famous international brands there in Singapore, from fashion lines, gadget brands, hotels, and restaurants/fast food centres. I was even surprised to see boutiques even in underpasses across Singapore. There is not a place where you can’t stop and shop some stuff!
Premier fashion boutiques at Orchard
Funan Plaza (where you can find cheap gadgets and appliances). You can also go to Sim Lim Square in Little India for much cheaper prices.
My first time at an adult shop. Lots of fun and kinky stuff!
T-shirt stalls everywhere!
Far East Plaza in Orchard
5. Fun places and activities to do in Singapore
When you’re in Singapore, there’s a lot of things to do, and so many places to visit! In our case, we went to Universal Studios Singapore, Underwater World, Cable Cars, Luge and Skyride in Sentosa Island (coz you can’t miss Sentosa on your itinerary when you’re in Singapore), Singapore Zoo, Gardens by the Bay, Harry Potter Exhibit, Merlion Park, and the Marina Bay. If we had enough time and money, we could’ve gone to Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, Snow City and the Singapore Flyer. But still we had so much fun!
Skyscrapers in Promenade
Cable Cars to Sentosa Island
Merlion Park at Sentosa (I think the biggest Merlion statue in SG too)
Singapore Fire Station
Colorful MICA (Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts) Building near Clark Quay
Underwater World
Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Gardens by the Bay
Helix Bridge in Marina Bay
Clark Quay
Harry Potter Exhibit in ArtScience Museum in Marina Bay
ArtScience Museum
Singapore Views
Universal Studios Singapore
Singapore Zoo
Luge & Skyride in Sentosa Island Resort
.. and our lifetime dream of playing Laser Tag in Sentosa Island Resort
6. Internet is fast!
Internet plans there range from at least 7 to 21mbps. And even with 3G connection, internet is still ultra fast!
7. Discipline in every corner of the city.
This is why I’m amazed with Singapore. You can really see discipline practiced everywhere! This is the reason why the city is clean, that it’s safe to walk even late at night, that you have no reason to worry holding up your iPhone or DSLR camera anywhere in the city, and that drivers of both public and private vehicles respect the traffic lights and the pedestrians.
This is why I love Singapore, and it’s basically the main reason why the city is super successful. It’s as if the people from all walks of life were raised up to become disciplined individuals. It’s not a controlling, “martial-law” kind of discipline, but its more like of a “thinking-of-others” discipline. If people here in the Philippines practice more of this trait, we may have a chance to become as successful as Singapore.
I miss Singapore, and I even want to live there if I could. It’s a nice city to settle down.
I will definitely visit the city again in the future, and do a lot of photowalk, eating and shopping (I wish I have lots of money to do it all)..
But I’m excited for next year, another awesome city to visit. I can’t wait to go to Disneyland!
Hong Kong October 2013 🙂