An exotic and enjoyable tropical destination

Singapore: a vibrant multi-cultural sophisticated model city:

by Rosanne Koelmeyer Anderson

Ideally located in the heart of South Asia, Singapore is one of the best urban planned and cleanest metropolitan cities in the world in my opinion. Enjoying every moment of my short stay in Singapore recently, Singapore looks like an architectural model city come to life.

It's vibrant multi-cultural, sophisticated city-state intermingled with a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Enriched by her old world charms and new world appeals, New Asia - Singapore is an exotic and enjoyable tropical destination for any traveller.

Be it the City tour which connects the hotels, major shopping malls along Orchard, the Botanical Garden, the Esplanade, Merlion Park and more, you simply enjoy the sightseeing tour of the model city amidst the fresh aura of its unpolluted metropolis.

The Suntec City which stands majestically at the palm of the hand symbolising the Chinese saying 'to hold the wealth of the world in one's hand', is Singapore's largest integrated commercial development centre as well as the biggest monument to Feng Shui (the Fountain of Wealth) in Singapore.

It is 13.8 metres in height and its four bronze legs symbolise the four races and religions in Singapore which is supported by a huge bronze ring measuring 21 metres in diameter which is said to be based on a Hindu Mandala which represents peace and unity.

The Duck The Singapore River

The bronze material is incidently significant of the Chinese who believe that when metal and water are balanced correctly, success will follow.

Here, visitors to Suntec City walk around the central base of the fountain three times, touching the water at all times for good luck.'

Starting from Suntec is the best of Singapore's night scene where there is ample wine and dine. Amazing to see the locals display perfect and professional Latin American dance skills, which was a treat to watch, I must say.

And an unforgettable experience I had was on Singapore's Duck Tour. It is a bus, a boat, a duck, an amphibious theme tour attraction in Asia.

The 'Duck' offered a combined City and Harbour tour without the hassle of switching craft. It was indeed more than a tour, a wonderful sixty minutes of land and sea adventure on a genuine Vietnam War machine with monstrous wheels.

Hold onto your self as it waddles away and be prepared for a splashing and good time we were informed by our tour guide as the passengers boarded the 'duck.' I certainly didn't want to miss out on this ride.

It was marvellous, the climax from land to water as we toured the Singapore River with a bird's eye view of the skyscrapers and historical landmarks of Singapore. It was a memorable experience indeed.

Last but not least, were the endless shopping sprees enjoyed by locals as well as visitors especially along Orchard Road, known for its world famous shopping stretch that grew from the 1840's. Singapore's multicultural population is also reflected in the wide variety of excellent gourmet restaurants which offers a diversity of cuisine from around the world, something worthwhile talking about.

The amazing thing about this beautiful city is that although it looks like an architectural model city come to life with marvellous skyscrapers and all modern conveniences. Despite the fact of air traffic control restrictions which specifies that buildings cannot be higher than 280 metres, but the consistent building height and space pattern makes its skyline unique.

Singapore's skyline boasts of the distinctive minarets of mosques, spires of gothic cathedrals, intricate figurines of Hindu temple God's and distinctive roof architecture of Chinese temples.

Singapore's heritage sights are interesting too as Singapore has always been a place where cultures meet; a tradition started by the early traders which is carried on to date.

In the days of yore, the local inhabitants were largely Malay and because of its early beginnings before British rule as a small trading post, the island drew people from all over South East Asia which brought Singapoure its own indigenous culture when Chinese men started settling down with Malay women, which bore the Peranakan race. With them were the Malays, the Chinese, Europeans and Indians with the institution of Sir Stamford Raffles' British rule.

Ruffles seeing the importance of cultures working together put into place policies in order to prevent trouble between the different races, assigning different parts of the town to each of the cultures to live in, and this plan is evident to date. Malays with their Islamic culture were placed in the area called Beach Road and the Arabs and the Indians near Serangoon Road which is today the centre of Little India.

Interestingly, Chinatown is said to be the only cultural area of Singapore that wasn't originally set aside for the Chinese by Raffles. They were originally placed at the mouth of the Singapore River but today Chinatown resides further down the river between Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.

Visiting Singapore, one of the cleanest metropolitan cities in the world and city that never sleeps in my opinion is a wonderful experience any traveller should never miss out on.

The writer was in Singapore recently

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