Sunday 19th October
2003
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  Singapore doesn't
have a lot of sights for the tourist. I've been here two days and have a pretty
good feel for Central Singapore. Thi island has transformed itself in the last
30 years into a consumer mecca with the highest per capita GDP in South East
Asia.
Here's Singapore's answer to the Sydney Opera House - the new bayside theatre
and exhibition hall. |
  There are still a few traditional sights and customs.
From the Sunday afternoon game of cricket at the Singapore Cricket club with St
Andrews Cathedral in the background to junks ferrying tourists up and down the
river with the low rise Boat Quay behind.
And below the splendid statues and paintings in the Thian Hok Keng temple in
Telok Ayar Street is much visited by the Buddhists in the population.
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 There is not much left of Chinatown itself. Much of it
has been knocked down as the Financial District has encroached. Many of the
remaining old wooden shuttered buildings have become very smart having been
turned into designer offices or trendy bars and restaurants.
Put your mouse over the picture to see what China town would have looked like
30 years ago. |
  Another new
development along the river is Clark Quay, now full of bars and restaurants.
You can find everything from traditional Malay food to Pizzas and Irish Pubs.
Just the place to find a bar to watch the England v South Africa game in the
Rugby world cup on Saturday night. Crammed into a bar with beer flowing things
were getting pretty steamy by the time England won 25-6.
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You can't avoid Stamford Raffles in Singapore. The man who
purchased the island from the local chieftain in 1818 is commemorated
everywhere. From hotels to streets, bars, shopping malls, buildings and no
doubt the local chip shop it's an amazing achievement for a man who only spent
4 weeks in total on the island.
It's true what they say about Singapore (gum chewing illegal etc). I love these
crossings where a counter appears to tell you that there are only 30 seconds to
go before the lights change.
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