David's Big Adventure in China

I arrived in Singapore on Thursday afternoon (7-10) and spent the next few days seeing the sights such as the National Museum, Asian Civilizations Museum, Chinatown Heritage Museum, Singapore Zoo, Riverwalk area and some of the ethnic neighborhoods (Chinatown and Little India). Singapore is very clean, orderly and tightly controlled. Opposition to the government is not allowed. It has a bit of a science fiction movie “big brother is watching” kind of feel to it. Punishments for crimes are severe, chewing gum is outlawed and it seems it would be easier if they put up signs in the subway saying what’s allowed rather than what’s not allowed because so many things are prohibited. If you’re a rule follower it seems a very livable place; modern and very westernized. Many western food chains can be found here including Hooters. English is the official language but most people also speak the language of their heritage. Singapore is a city/state of only 228 square miles and has a population of 4.4 million people of which Chinese make up the largest group followed by Indians and Malay. It became part of the British empire early in the 1800’s and became an independent state in the mid 1960’s. Pushed by a strong leader the country became somewhat of an economic miracle.

It’s pretty expensive here (I’m paying more than $40 U.S. a night for a very small room in a hostel without a private bath) with prices for many things being about the same as in the U.S. My first night here I sat at an outdoor cafe overlooking the Singapore River sipping on a Singapore Sling. The zoo here is very nice and they have a “Night Safari” which highlights some of the nocturnal animals and brings in a lot of revenue for them. It was a bit creepy walking through the exhibit with the large fruit bats close enough to reach out and touch while they were hanging upside down eating their fruit. The taxi’s here are all very clean and well maintained and the subway system is a great way to get around. The people here are very friendly, polite and helpful……sometimes when you ask for directions or information it seems they respond like they know big brother is watching…. .lol. I haven’t taken many pictures here so I’ll wait to post pictures until later. On Monday morning I will be taking a bus north for about 6 hours to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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