Travel Photoblog: Singapore, the Lion City

Yet another post from outside Japan, but I had the great opportunity to participate to an international academic conference in Singapore, the world's 4th leading financial center and 5th busiest port in the world! Even though this was supposed to be a 6 day "Study" trip, I had a little time to go around and shoot the city from all its angles. In fact, Singapore is not that big and 3 full days is enough to visit all the essentials.

~ Cavenagh Bridge and the CBD ~

Singapore has a long history of immigration and has become today a real cosmopolitan world city where 5 millions of Chineses, Malays, Indians, other Asians descents and Caucasians coexiste, making this city the second most densely populated in the world, after Monaco.

~ Talking about melting-pot... ~

~ The infamous Merlion statue, symbol of the Lion City ~

~ The very green Fort Canning park, in the middle of the city ~

~ Arab St, in Little India, kingdom of orient spices and crafts ~

~ Chinatowm, great place for bargains and souvenirs ~

~ Sri Mariamman Indian Temple, in Chinatown ~

~ walking around Chinatown ~

~ Clarke Quay, along the Singapore River ~

~ Marina Bay Sands and its Skypark, offering a great view on all Singapore ~

~ The city seems to perpetually expand, gaining land over the sea ~

~ The port ~

~ Singapore Flyer, the world largest observation wheel ~

~ The Esplanade ~

~ Orchard Road, Singapore"s "Champs Elysees", offering great lightning for Christmass ~

Singapore's laws are very strict, and work a lot on fines which are usually very very dissuasive. For instance, chewing or bringing gum to Singapore will cost you one year in Jail and/or 10 000 SG$ (~US$). Eating on the train? 500 SG$. Littering in the streets? Sweeping public road or cleaning up the litters as a form of community service, wearing a Corrective Work Order jacket. From what I could see, this system is very effective since though I almost see no cops during the trip, the City is very clean !

Singapore is also a great place for happy eaters. Indeed, thanks to the melting-polt, there is no where in the world where the food can be that diverse! And it is usually quite cheap! Check out the number of plates this guy has eaten...

Food centers are presents all around the city, housing hundreds of small shops serving all kind of food! Around 6Pm these centers are crowded, it is hard to find a table, and even harder to choose what to eat!

I had also the time to visit Singapore's Zoo, home of more than 315 animal species, and do a night safari.

Finally, I had the time to squeeze in a trip to Sentosa Island, a popular (artificial) island resort close to Singapore. The island offers 5 stars hotels, beach night clubs, classy shopping mall, a Universal Studio and some other attractions. Sadly, the view on industrial factories and cargos all around the island is quite a disappointment.