Singapore Redux

Singapore is an incredibly successful country on the southern tip of Malaysia.

Over 5 million people are packed into this compact area. It is a veritable smorgasbord of ethnicities, languages and religions. For instance, Singapore recognizes four languages: English, Malay, Tamil, and Mandarin. Singapore is the model of a successful free market economy, rated in 2013 as the second freest economy. It has a per capita income that ranks 3^rd in the world. To put that in perspective, one out of six citizens has a net worth of over a million dollars even while excluding property!

This is a monument to civilians from WWII. Interesting to note all four official languages are displayed.

Marina Bay Sands an iconic new addition to the Singapore skyline is the most expensive building in the world at close to $5 billion. It was premiered in 2010 and three towers that comprise the complex stand at 55 floors with a platform known as the Sands SkyPark on top that connects the three towers. The Sands SkyPark includes an observation deck, restaurant, and an infinity pool (guests only!). The complex which sits on reclaimed land has over 2500 rooms and a casino. Remember to double down!

Adjacent to the Marina Bay Sands is Gardens By the Bay which was created in 2012. Over 200 acres of green space are packed in the middle of the dense city-state of Singapore. Two giant greenhouses rise into the sky. The first is the Flower Dome, which is a giant, enclosed 3 acre space containing 7 unique gardens. The second is the Cloud Forest which showcases a 115 foot tropical waterfall. As I strolled though the greenhouses I spied the Sands SkyPark in the distance. I felt like I was in the flotilla in Battlestar Galactica, looking at a passing spaceship the SS SkyPark. The highlight of the garden is the Supertree Grove, a series of “trees” that rise to heights of 160 feet. At night these trees are lit up and twice during the evening there is a light and music show.

A very dark period in Singapore history is the Japanese occupation during WW2. The British were quickly routed by the Japanese, which at that time was a British colony. Upon occupation, three thousand civilians were marched directly from the city to Changi Prison. The prison was meant to hold 600 criminals, but the Japanese managed to squeeze in five times more including children. Nearby the prison, 50,000 POWS, mostly British and Australian were held. Today, a museum memorializes these victims and survivors. The museum includes a replica of a chapel that was built by the POWS in 1944 using rudimentary tools. Join the Original Singapore Walks. I did and was a valuable and rewarding experience.

Singapore is a great city to walk and explore. And if need be, simply jump on the MRT the unbelievably efficient and expansive subway system. One fun neighborhood to get lost in is Chinatown. A new addition to the skyline is the 2007 Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. The four-story temple is said to host a tooth of Buddha Shakyamuni. This vibrant and colorful temple is well worth the visit. And here are some other ideas for one day in Singapore.

Another interesting place to visit is the oldest, remaining church in Singapore. This modest, white church was consecrated in 1836 for the benefit of the small but influential Armenian community of Singapore. The Armenians numbered at its peak in the 1880s just 100 families but punched above its weight as businessmen and merchants. Catchick Movessian, was the co-founder of the Straits Times, which became the national English newspaper in 1845. The Sarkies brothers founded the famous Raffles Hotel and several other hotels including the E&O in Penang, Malaysia and Strand Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar. The Vanda Miss Joaquim was designated Singapore’s national flower after an Armenian woman.