S.E. Asia 2004
Singapore (August 2004)
Singapore is a city, an island and a country of 4 million people. Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore on the Singapore River, which is still the heart of the city, encompassing the central business district and the popular entertainment and dining precinct along the quays. At first glance, Singapore appears shockingly modern and anonymous, but this is an undeniably Asian city with Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions from feng shui to ancestor worship creating part of the everyday landscape. It's these contrasts that bring the city to life. One day you're in a hawker stall melting over a bowl of Indian curry, the next you're enjoying high tea in whispered environs complete with air-con, starched linen table cloths and gliding waiters. Super-safe and mega-clean Singapore may be, but its sultry rhythms wash inexorably beneath the regimented beat of big-city life (Lonely Planet). If only North American cities were like this one- high tech subways, streets clean enough to eat off of and not a puff of smog in the sky.
Orchard Road- Singapore's premier shopping district, essentially a 5th Ave or Newbury Street.
Group shot by Ngee Ann City, a huge shopping mall (during this whole trip, I think the smallest we went to was 3 stories - Singaporeans love their shopping)
On Orchard looking towards Suntec City, another massive shopping complex
Suntec City- This complex of buildings resembles the human left hand, w/ the 18 story Suntec Tower representing the thumb, and the four 45 story office towers the fingers. Pictured here is the group next to an enormous fountain (apparently the world's largest) and two of the "fingers"
Chilling by the Suntec City hanging gardens eating durian fruit (one of the nastiest things I have ever had)
Island of Sentosa- This self proclaimed "pleasure island" of Singapore is located just off the southern coast. Apparently this is the southernmost tip of continental Asia (though if Singapore is a island, and Sentosa is another island, how is all this continental?)
Taking the sky tram over (apparently this is 1st EVER sky tram built overlooking a port)
Like I said ...
View of the port from the tram, the big cash money daddy for Singapore
Riding on tandem bikes ... that was an adventure
Casey and her snake scarf
Overlooking the harbor
Merlion Statue: The national symbol of Singapore. This particular Merlion also happens to be the world's tallest sculptural statue w/ a viewing platform (if you haven't caught on yet, Singapore loves superlatives)
Nightly hologram show
The Esplanade- These newly constructed concert theatres are located off Marina Bay, resembling, what some say, durian fruits. In the background you can see the 5 "fingers" of Suntec City outlined in red
View of skyline from a viewing platform on the Esplanade
Singapore Subway- Probably the world's best subway system, all cars are super clean, and all stations are lined in marble and granite.
Chinatown-
Sri Mariamman Temple- Singapore's oldest Hindu temple (1862) nestled in downtown
Little India- Since Tamil is a national language, it was no surprise to hear Tamil music blaring from these stores
Julia & lychee fruit
Sushi Bar- Lunch in "Julia's mall", coolest thing about this place was how you just grab whatever you like off the moving conveyor belt next to the table
A full and tasty lunch
The Original Merlion- Located by Marina Bay, it acts as a protector on the Singapore River
Botanical Gardens- Almost like a Central Park, but so much more tropical of course.
Admiring the Orchid Gardens
Changi International Airport- I know its kind of random to have pictures from the airport, but seriously this IS the BEST airport in the world. The airport has an entire brochure dedicated to transfer passenger activities, which include the free movie theatre, botanical gardens, free internet (wireless and wired), orchid gardens, cactus gardens, outdoor pool & bar, sunflower garden, and the list just keeps going. Absolutely awesome (especially during a 9 hour transfer between Jakarta and Tokyo)
Sunflower Garden
Mock olympics the airport held for transfer passengers; Casey and Matt medaled gold and silver, which included a total of $50 Singapore dollars of vouchers to be used at any store in the airport
National Day (Aug 9th)- Chilling with Julia's crew waiting for the fireworks
One last shot of skyline before we're off to Malaysia
