A walk through Singapore...some pics
Discussion
swerni said:
Fun game for you on your travels Ronan.
Using letters or object, spell the name of the city you’re in.
Only rule is, you can’t use something that actually has the name of where you are.
Makes for some interesting pictures when you’re wandering around
Great idea! I'm going to start doing this.Using letters or object, spell the name of the city you’re in.
Only rule is, you can’t use something that actually has the name of where you are.
Makes for some interesting pictures when you’re wandering around
Great write up!
We lived in Robertson Quay (5 min walk from Clarke) for 2 years. Had a fabulous time initially, 3 bed serviced apartment, gym, pool, and even a 2l Nissan to get around the island (was working up in Woodlands). Wife and kids loved it - but after 12 months we started escaping to sanity every weekend to Bintan, Batam, etc, and after 2 years we left.
It's a very superficial place, so much of the 'model society' b
ks is just that - bks. PR is highly controlled by the state, so not much gets publicised, but there is as much going on there as there is anywhere else in Asia. Loads of gay bars (homosexuality is illegal), the hookers all carry state-issued ID (prostitution is illegal), drugs are easy to come by (punishable by death), murder is quite common (they still hang in Singapore), so a somewhat hypocritical place.
That said, architecture, food (especially the food), weather, the great Singaporean friends I made, and the nightlife made it a great place to spend a couple of years.
We lived in Robertson Quay (5 min walk from Clarke) for 2 years. Had a fabulous time initially, 3 bed serviced apartment, gym, pool, and even a 2l Nissan to get around the island (was working up in Woodlands). Wife and kids loved it - but after 12 months we started escaping to sanity every weekend to Bintan, Batam, etc, and after 2 years we left.
It's a very superficial place, so much of the 'model society' b
ks is just that - bks. PR is highly controlled by the state, so not much gets publicised, but there is as much going on there as there is anywhere else in Asia. Loads of gay bars (homosexuality is illegal), the hookers all carry state-issued ID (prostitution is illegal), drugs are easy to come by (punishable by death), murder is quite common (they still hang in Singapore), so a somewhat hypocritical place.That said, architecture, food (especially the food), weather, the great Singaporean friends I made, and the nightlife made it a great place to spend a couple of years.
swerni said:
I need to head further out on the next trip, great write up
Fun game for you on your travels Ronan.
Using letters or object, spell the name of the city you’re in.
Only rule is, you can’t use something that actually has the name of where you are.
Makes for some interesting pictures when you’re wandering around
Great idea..but to save effort I will choose Oslo over Reykjavik and Ohio over Zanzibar, though I could probably go to the Zebra enclosure at the zoo...........Fun game for you on your travels Ronan.
Using letters or object, spell the name of the city you’re in.
Only rule is, you can’t use something that actually has the name of where you are.
Makes for some interesting pictures when you’re wandering around
had ham said:
Great write up!
We lived in Robertson Quay (5 min walk from Clarke) for 2 years. Had a fabulous time initially, 3 bed serviced apartment, gym, pool, and even a 2l Nissan to get around the island (was working up in Woodlands). Wife and kids loved it - but after 12 months we started escaping to sanity every weekend to Bintan, Batam, etc, and after 2 years we left.
It's a very superficial place, so much of the 'model society' bks is just that - bks. PR is highly controlled by the state, so not much gets publicised, but there is as much going on there as there is anywhere else in Asia. Loads of gay bars (homosexuality is illegal), the hookers all carry state-issued ID (prostitution is illegal), drugs are easy to come by (punishable by death), murder is quite common (they still hang in Singapore), so a somewhat hypocritical place.
That said, architecture, food (especially the food), weather, the great Singaporean friends I made, and the nightlife made it a great place to spend a couple of years.
I am sure you are very correct on this. I was aware of the rules and how there is a swirly selective application. A taxi driver amusedly pointed out the Red Light district where it ends one one side of the street, and all is well, but they cannot ply their trade on the other side. I was aware that homosexuality was illegal but I saw no evidence of any kind of rule application and noticed quite a few people and couples who were evidently gay.We lived in Robertson Quay (5 min walk from Clarke) for 2 years. Had a fabulous time initially, 3 bed serviced apartment, gym, pool, and even a 2l Nissan to get around the island (was working up in Woodlands). Wife and kids loved it - but after 12 months we started escaping to sanity every weekend to Bintan, Batam, etc, and after 2 years we left.
It's a very superficial place, so much of the 'model society' b
ks is just that - bks. PR is highly controlled by the state, so not much gets publicised, but there is as much going on there as there is anywhere else in Asia. Loads of gay bars (homosexuality is illegal), the hookers all carry state-issued ID (prostitution is illegal), drugs are easy to come by (punishable by death), murder is quite common (they still hang in Singapore), so a somewhat hypocritical place.That said, architecture, food (especially the food), weather, the great Singaporean friends I made, and the nightlife made it a great place to spend a couple of years.
I think the more rigorous application seems to be property damage and graffiti. I did come across what looked like a flagrant breach of the rules...
real graffiti..Yess......freedom of expression:
Wondered why it was only. one building
Turned out it was licensed graffiti
...an alternative art gallery was inside,sully permitted.Even the local Banksy is by permit:
Edited by RDMcG on Sunday 29th October 13:53
had ham said:
Sums up Singapore - a lot of things that are illegal are actually OK if you have a permit or licence!Great place to visit, if not live, though - Asia lite, if you will.
Or Disneyland run by Nazis (as it is known by many expats).
I do enjoy your photo threads!
RDMcG said:
Accommodation:
Mandarin Oriental has superb service and very good food. Great room views over Marina Bay , and a first class breakfast buffet.
On the other hand, the Fullerton Bay hotel and been misbooked by my travel agent ( should have been the Fullerton which is the senior hotel), and the room overlooked a construction site and was pounded by loud disco music, The place is mainly an event site with constant weddings, engagement parties, graduation events and so on and has the frenetic air of a package tour site. Got the room changed for something a lot better, and the facilities were fine with a nice rooftop bar.
View from room
I stayed mandarin at Xmas as I posted earlier , not a great entrance but nice once in. Did you really eat at the Michelin street place ? Looking at your other pics of plates I know where I would rather. I did it but did not eat after the first bite.Mandarin Oriental has superb service and very good food. Great room views over Marina Bay , and a first class breakfast buffet.
On the other hand, the Fullerton Bay hotel and been misbooked by my travel agent ( should have been the Fullerton which is the senior hotel), and the room overlooked a construction site and was pounded by loud disco music, The place is mainly an event site with constant weddings, engagement parties, graduation events and so on and has the frenetic air of a package tour site. Got the room changed for something a lot better, and the facilities were fine with a nice rooftop bar.
View from room
I forget the food street opposite the mandarin, that was good but it was not street prices.
Look forward to more pics.
David Beer said:
I stayed mandarin at Xmas as I posted earlier , not a great entrance but nice once in. Did you really eat at the Michelin street place ? Looking at your other pics of plates I know where I would rather. I did it but did not eat after the first bite.
I forget the food street opposite the mandarin, that was good but it was not street prices.
Look forward to more pics.
Yes..food was actually very good there and had no problem with it at all. Best place was definitely the Corner House. It is a bit of a nightmare to book, used Centurion to do it, and they gave me confirmation a month before after some trouble including the name of the person who accepted it, When I arrived they had no record although they clearly had accepted the booking so they accommodated me. Stunning food all the way.I forget the food street opposite the mandarin, that was good but it was not street prices.
Look forward to more pics.
RDMcG said:
Yes..food was actually very good there and had no problem with it at all. Best place was definitely the Corner House. It is a bit of a nightmare to book, used Centurion to do it, and they gave me confirmation a month before after some trouble including the name of the person who accepted it, When I arrived they had no record although they clearly had accepted the booking so they accommodated me. Stunning food all the way.
Centurion is hugely expensive if you don’t take advantage of their services, I certainly do. You have to keep an eye on some deals though. Back to Singapore, before I went for the three nights, the weather showed three days of rain, in fact had a huge storm that lasted two hours and was actually rather fun sat in the oyster bar in the mall, the rest of the time a mix of sun and cloud. After the storm went ,up to the ‘ship bar’ for cocktails
Sentosa island was a good day out, the thought of going down the hill on a wheeled louge seemed childish but was actually quite competitive, if it wasn’t for the long line would of done it again.
David Beer said:
Centurion is hugely expensive if you don’t take advantage of their services, I certainly do. You have to keep an eye on some deals though.
Back to Singapore, before I went for the three nights, the weather showed three days of rain, in fact had a huge storm that lasted two hours and was actually rather fun sat in the oyster bar in the mall, the rest of the time a mix of sun and cloud. After the storm went ,up to the ‘ship bar’ for cocktails
Sentosa island was a good day out, the thought of going down the hill on a wheeled louge seemed childish but was actually quite competitive, if it wasn’t for the long line would of done it again.
I have had the rain issue on a previous visit, but thats just part of the climate and nothing is guaranteed. I travel a fair amount and they do seem to be able to get reservations in difficult places, so they do have value for me. The third night free and so on have some real value.Back to Singapore, before I went for the three nights, the weather showed three days of rain, in fact had a huge storm that lasted two hours and was actually rather fun sat in the oyster bar in the mall, the rest of the time a mix of sun and cloud. After the storm went ,up to the ‘ship bar’ for cocktails
Sentosa island was a good day out, the thought of going down the hill on a wheeled louge seemed childish but was actually quite competitive, if it wasn’t for the long line would of done it again.
Agree about the third night free but I like the completely free ones. el encanto Santa Barbara was fab, upgrade at booking and then upgrade at check in, ended up with a bungalow and should of been 1500 a night !
However the restaurant bill was not exactly cheap, but could of gone down town for a third of the price .
However the restaurant bill was not exactly cheap, but could of gone down town for a third of the price .
had ham said:
Great write up!
We lived in Robertson Quay (5 min walk from Clarke) for 2 years. Had a fabulous time initially, 3 bed serviced apartment, gym, pool, and even a 2l Nissan to get around the island (was working up in Woodlands). Wife and kids loved it - but after 12 months we started escaping to sanity every weekend to Bintan, Batam, etc, and after 2 years we left.
It's a very superficial place, so much of the 'model society' bks is just that - bks. PR is highly controlled by the state, so not much gets publicised, but there is as much going on there as there is anywhere else in Asia. Loads of gay bars (homosexuality is illegal), the hookers all carry state-issued ID (prostitution is illegal), drugs are easy to come by (punishable by death), murder is quite common (they still hang in Singapore), so a somewhat hypocritical place.
That said, architecture, food (especially the food), weather, the great Singaporean friends I made, and the nightlife made it a great place to spend a couple of years.
I first lived there ‘67 to ‘70, dad was in the RAF. I then went back in ‘90 for a visit backpacking, and was amazed how much had changed, gob smacked. We lived in Robertson Quay (5 min walk from Clarke) for 2 years. Had a fabulous time initially, 3 bed serviced apartment, gym, pool, and even a 2l Nissan to get around the island (was working up in Woodlands). Wife and kids loved it - but after 12 months we started escaping to sanity every weekend to Bintan, Batam, etc, and after 2 years we left.
It's a very superficial place, so much of the 'model society' b
ks is just that - bks. PR is highly controlled by the state, so not much gets publicised, but there is as much going on there as there is anywhere else in Asia. Loads of gay bars (homosexuality is illegal), the hookers all carry state-issued ID (prostitution is illegal), drugs are easy to come by (punishable by death), murder is quite common (they still hang in Singapore), so a somewhat hypocritical place.That said, architecture, food (especially the food), weather, the great Singaporean friends I made, and the nightlife made it a great place to spend a couple of years.
Two years later I returned again and worked there for two years.... and discovered that it is just like you say, beneath that shiny fake exterior it is still very much backward and third world. Many of the people bitterly resent the dictatorship government, but then they have never lived in a truly third world country.
As for being free to leave, as the OP mentioned, for Singaporeans with specific trades or skills, they need to seek government permission to emigrate. Guy I used to work with went through hell to get him and his wife to Australia, and some of the tales of politics, police state and oppression he had to tell were horrible.
A young me, on the right, '67. our first house on Bedok Road.
My dad on the right, at Chang pool around '68, he was swimming coach and captain for the RAF water polo team.
Fire in the jungle, I'm the one about to climb the balcony and escape...
Me in a fast food restaurant.
This is the sort of houses we lived in at the time. Our is still there today, but has extensions and air cons and walls and all added.
44 Jalan Limau Bali in1990
My sister, aged 3. She is 55 now, with grandchildren.....how the years have flown since those heady days in Singapore.
My dad on the right, at Chang pool around '68, he was swimming coach and captain for the RAF water polo team.
Fire in the jungle, I'm the one about to climb the balcony and escape...
Me in a fast food restaurant.
This is the sort of houses we lived in at the time. Our is still there today, but has extensions and air cons and walls and all added.
44 Jalan Limau Bali in1990
My sister, aged 3. She is 55 now, with grandchildren.....how the years have flown since those heady days in Singapore.
It's changed immensely even in the last decade, a lot of things to admire about how the country is run.
But that also includes very good control of PR - most Singaporeans are not wealthy and Changi prison is an absolutely huge complex. There is plenty of crime, including drugs, but it's kept very well under wraps.
And whilst Orchard has the luxury stores, most of the clientele are Indonesian, Malaysian and other Asians - often with dubious sources for their money.
But that also includes very good control of PR - most Singaporeans are not wealthy and Changi prison is an absolutely huge complex. There is plenty of crime, including drugs, but it's kept very well under wraps.
And whilst Orchard has the luxury stores, most of the clientele are Indonesian, Malaysian and other Asians - often with dubious sources for their money.
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