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Welcome to Singapore
Population : 3.1 million |
Historical
According to Malay legend, a Sumatran prince encountered a lion on Temasek and decided to name the place Singapura, or Lion City. He must have seen a tiger, because noone else has ever seen a lion on the island. In the mid-13th century the Sumatran Srivijaya empire established a trading post there. Singapore remained a quiet island until 1819 when Sir Stamford Raffles decided to implement British trading point there. This trading point (in conjuction with Malacca) was to reinforce the British presence in Southeast Asia and quell the possible resurgence of other European nations, such as the Netherlands. Attracted by a tariff-free port, numerous migrants arrived, making Singapore a porsperous colony with a strong military base. This development continued until the defeat of the British by the Japanese army in 1941. After Japan's surrender in 1945, the colony came back to Britain. However, several political parties had been formed, creating a nationalist movement. Then Singapore moved porgressively toward independence. In 1959 the leader of the People Action Party, Lee Kuan Yew, was elected Prime Minister. He would keep that position for the next 31 years. From 1963 to 1965 Singapore was integrated with Malaysia (then Malaya), but in 1965 it once again became independant. In 1990 Lee resigned as Prime Minister and Goh Chok Tong, a leader more inclined toward liberalism, took over.
What to see, what to do in Singapore???
We're not going to write another Lonely Planet... However if you have a couple of days to spend in Singapore it is worth seeing the following
Orchard road. The heart of Singapore. By far the most animated road. Full of hotels, restaurants and Shopping centers full of electronics and the latest fashion products.
Surroundings of the colonial district. Raffles place, Boat quay, Chimes and City
hall. It's lovely, clean, and numerous restaurants, bars and shopping centers are found there; and also the last monuments of colonialism in Singapore.
Chinatown. The district gives a glimpse of what Singapore used to look like a few years ago. However, it is modernising quickly and towers take over from the traditional chinese houses.
What to do in Chinatown:
-walking around New Bridge road, Temple street and Pagoda
street
-shopping in People's Park and Chinatown Point, the two main shopping centers of the area
-tasting the chinese dishes
-having a tea in a traditional way
-visiting the numerous places of worship in the district such as: Fuk Tak Chi Temple, home of the god of the wealth; the Temple of Heavenly Happiness; the Sri Mariamman Temple; or the oldest Indouist temple of Singapore.
Little India. This district testifies to the ethnical and cultural diversity of Singapore. It is worth strolling along Serangoon road and the perpendicular streets.
What to do:
-the small shops full of saris, species, music and furnitures dealers.
-The Mustafa Shopping Center
-Temples of 1000 lights and of Sri Srinivasa Perumal dedicated to di
to Vishnu
-Dexter road... Isn't prostituion forbidden in Singapore???
Shopping. Frankly speaking, it's really diffcult to escape from shopping in Singapore, even for the verile guys that we are. The town centre looks like an huge shopping centre where everything can be found and often cheaper than in Europe. Electronics or cameras are about 30% cheaper... Be careful, in the cheap places you may need to bargain... a lot... most of the time the price is not set...
Good stuff...
At noon . At night...
-the High tea at Stamford hotel, you can eat like a pig for S$23 with a great view of Singapore
-The brunch at Raffles hotel, about S$50... Drinks not included.
-The tea old fashion in Chinatown
-Little
India on Sunday. How to have a glimpse of the indian frenzy.
- Mount Faber with your gilfriend
