Stopover in Singapore
If you’ve noticed I’ve been a bit quiet on the blog for the past week, I’m sorry. Or, you’re welcome. I suppose it depends on whether you like getting constant notifications of my new adventures and discoveries around the world.
The main reason is because I’ve been shifting continents and, after about four months in Asia, have now arrived in Europe to do a bit more exploration in this part of the world.
On the way through, I stopped for a couple of days in Singapore to stay with some friends and see a bit of the city.
Even though I’ve been to the airport about a dozen times, I’d never really gone into town and seen it properly. That expression “Disneyland with the death penalty” shaped my view of Singapore more than anything else.
It was only a brief stop but it has given me enough of a tease to want to go back and see more. One of my friends there, Tim, runs a new travel blog called The Humidity, and his musings on life in that region may have to be enough to get me through until I get a chance to return.
In the meantime, I thought I would share a few of the photos I took in Singapore.
You’ll see that there’s a really interesting dichotomy between the old gritty local side of the city and the new polished international side.
Ultimately there’s probably more that links these two faces of Singapore than separates them, but it’s what I found so fascinating about the place and look forward to delving deeper into one day.
Awesome!
I’m super keen on learning more about Singapore. My friend Ismael and I have been keeping an eye on the place for the past couple of years from a business standpoint, and have been thinking about doing an exploratory trip just to see what it’s like and how we could benefit as bloggers/online entrepreneurs from being based there.
Thanks for sharing your friend’s blog as well; will have to follow him as well to get some more local info!
It’s a great place for international business. The whole city feels like one big global enterprise so there are a lot of very motivated people there from all over the world. It’s more expensive than other Asian bases, so that’s something to consider, but it’s very technologically advanced and would be excellent for bloggers I think.
Never been to “Disneyland with the death penalty” but the phrase has surely shaped my view of Singapore over the decades. That, and the image in my mind of Singapore Sling-slurping, panama-hatted spies and 1920s expats lurking in the palm-fronded shadows of the sultry bar at Raffles.
The reality lies somewhere in between.
Excellent photos, as usual!
I went past Raffles but didn’t go in. I had the same romantic notions as you but I was put off by the $30 Singapore Slings 🙂
Love the photos! Surprising, I’d never actually heard that specific phrase “Disneyland with the death penalty,” despite hailing from Singapore originally. From the looks of it, you got to experience some SG food- what was your favorite? My stomach is growling now just thinking about all the food there:)
The food was fantastic. I can’t wait to go back sometime and eat the whole market empty! I had some great Chinese dumplings one afternoon and a delicious chicken rice for a lunch.
Very awesome.. I like the second photos. Very fantastic. I love to travel SINGAPORE, very nice place.. Thanks for sharing this blog post. Keep good working,
Thanks, Doula. I’m glad you liked the photos.
Fab photos Mr Turtle! I think you’ve managed to capture some things I’ve never seen there – esp a couple of the food market bits.
I don’t believe there are parts of Singapore that you haven’t seen. You were an excellent local tour guide when I was there!
Fabulous photos. Never been to Singapore — it’s great to learn more about it.
I wish I could have spent a bit longer there and shown you some more. Hopefully soon.
Singapore is such a marvelous place..
Just yesterday I watched a TV program on Singapore. It was talking about the Singapore Flyer. Many people were so skeptical about the giant wheel when the construction was started because there’s not much to see of Singapore from above. Then the authority created the view instead. The Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Barrage, all of the remarkable man-made structures were built within the last five years. The last time I went was in 2010. I guess I’ll find myself surprised when I visit the Lion City again in the future.
That whole area around the marina is quite incredible. Although it’s new and man-made, it’s done very tastefully. I was expecting it to be tacky and touristy but I actually quite enjoyed myself there.
I haven’t spent much time in Asia and Singapore definitely interests me! I’ll have to follow your fiend’s blog for recommendations.
It doesn’t take long to see the highlights of Singapore (it’s a pretty small country/city) but I get the feeling it would take quite a while to really explore and understand it properly.
Great photos! It’s been 9 years since we last visited Singapore. I’m sure it’s changed quite a bit. It’s one of those cities we hope to return to one day… same with KL and HCMC.
I think parts of it have been changing really quickly recently…but I love that you can still find that old school Singapore from the days when it was grittier.
It looks like you explore many things in Singapore and enjoyed a lot. I like your photos of Singapore. Really this place is very good option for a traveler in terms of enjoyment and safety.
It’s definitely a safe country and there’s lots to do. Definitely worth the stop.
so… you were in Singapore while I was reading your blog about Myanmar in my office in Singapore… haha…. I don’t know why this thought somehow make me smile…
I think that’s really cute! 🙂 I hope it’s not too hazy for you still! 🙁
its a great place to live, easy to live, easy to do business. I am based out of here now, and there is ton to do with regards to consulting, speaking, training. I just moved back and now working on a book and its so easy to get connected with key players.
Let me know if are ever in singapore again
Thanks, Yasmine. Hopefully I’ll get back there someday. I’m so pleased to hear that you’re enjoying it there. I could see how it would be such a comfortable place to be based and do business from.
Such great pictures! You should definitely visit Singapore again when you have the time and eat as much local food as you can!
Your photos are really interesting and capturing much attentions to Singapore foods, it looks good and convincing to taste and to try them all one by one. Thanks I enjoyed reading this.
Wow! These are so many beautiful views in Singapore. The architecture are just very amazing to see and foods look tasty. Need to try them when I get there. Wait for me Singapore! See yah soon.
Yes – there’s lots to see and do in Singapore. I hope I get a chance to get back there one day too and see a bit more of it.
Hello, Greetings from Istanbul!
Singapore is always in one of my top tourist destination. Thank you for all great stopover photos and looking forward for my next trip to enjoy the city and delicious foods.
Loved the way you have written this piece and beautiful pictures alongside. Thanks for sharing this!
I love Singapore and all the beautiful places around it. I have seen photos of Singapore, I have never been there.
Thanks, for this blog.