Singapore Business Trip Side Travel Diary - Overview

2011.06 Singapore Business Trip Side Travel Diary - Overview

Singapore: a place that feels both familiar and unfamiliar.

For decades it has been grouped with Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea as one of the Four Asian Tigers. In recent years, it has become the fastest-growing economy among them.

A few years ago, when we flew Singapore Airlines to England, we transferred here on the way home. I had intentionally booked a flight back to Taiwan with a seven-hour layover in the evening,

planning to use the chance to visit Merlion Park and Chinatown. But after more than ten days of traveling, we were completely wiped out.

In the end, my wife and I slept for the full seven hours at Changi Airport @.@'"

Singapore River - Clarke Quay

Outdoor dining tables with white tablecloths along the river at Clarke Quay. — Clarke Quay along the Singapore River, with riverside tables set before the evening crowd arrives.

This time, thanks to a business trip, I managed to walk around a few sights,

and also listened to a classmate who had immigrated there describe the country from a relatively objective point of view. Behind the prosperity, there are actually some social issues hidden away.

For example, the government has brought in large numbers of foreign professionals and low-cost laborers, squeezing local citizens' job opportunities and wage levels, which has in turn created a huge wealth gap.

At the same time, it has also pushed housing prices upward, stretched infrastructure behind population growth, worsened traffic congestion, packed the MRT... and so on.

Still, none of these things take away from Singapore's glory as the Asian country with the highest economic growth rate. Apart from the ruling party's crushing defeat in this election, that is ~.~'"

Downtown high-rises reflected on the Singapore River. — Looking across the Singapore River toward the downtown towers.

Singapore's well-known restaurant IndoChine has six or seven branches, and each one has a different style.

The IndoChine restaurant entrance with Chinese-style decorations and red lanterns. — The distinctive entrance of IndoChine, one of Singapore's well-known restaurants.

Every evening, the bars and upscale restaurants along both sides of the river are always packed, drawing many tourists and multinational workers here to spend money.

The spending power of these highly paid foreigners is strong enough to count as one of the major forces supporting local consumption.

Riverside bar street at dusk with outdoor seating and warm lights. — Riverside bars and restaurants filling up as evening lights come on.

After walking this far, of course I had to follow the usual ritual: pick a riverside corner with a good view, sit down, and rest with a glass of Tiger Beer.

That counts as doing my small part for Singapore's economy too XD

A glass of Tiger Beer on a riverside table with buildings across the water. — Taking a break by the river with a glass of Tiger Beer and the opposite bank in view.

This was the view from the dinner gathering at the IndoChine by the river, across from the famous Fullerton Hotel, on the first night of the conference...

Nighttime buildings across the Singapore River. — Night view from IndoChine across from the Fullerton Hotel during the first conference dinner.

The Fullerton Hotel, looking incredibly luxurious.

The illuminated Fullerton Hotel at night. — The Fullerton Hotel glowing under the night lights.

Singapore's famous tourist attraction: Merlion Park.

The Merlion fountain with Singapore's downtown skyline at night. — Singapore's famous Merlion Park.

Across the water is the newly completed Marina Bay Sands, the casino built here by shareholders from Las Vegas in the United States.

Marina Bay Sands reflected on the water at night. — Marina Bay Sands and the night view across the bay.

See that white shape in the lower left corner? Americans have become very fascinated with Chinese feng shui in recent years too...

That is meant to symbolize the "palm of the Buddha." Once gamblers walk in, none of them should expect to escape from the palm @.@'"

The white lotus-shaped building near Marina Bay Sands at night. — The white lotus-shaped building near Marina Bay Sands, jokingly compared here to the palm of the Buddha.

When wandering around alone away from home, Google Map is really useful ^.^

A hand holding a phone showing Google Map. — Google Map was very useful while wandering around alone away from home.

The night view by the Esplanade waterfront...

Singapore downtown skyline across the water at night. — Singapore's night view from the Esplanade waterfront.

Singapore may be small, but if you really wanted to plan a family trip with kids, you could still arrange an itinerary of more than four days. For example:

Day 1: Take an 8 a.m. flight and arrive in Singapore at noon. After checking into the hotel at around 2 p.m., you could plan a visit to the Bird Park.

Day 2: In the morning, take the kids to walk around the Botanic Gardens. At noon, find a mall for lunch, enjoy the air conditioning, and do some shopping. In the evening, visit the Night Safari.

Day 3: Spend the daytime at Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa, then walk around Chinatown at night.

Day 4: In the morning, visit Little India. Take an afternoon flight and get back to Taiwan at a little after 7 p.m... not too late ^.^

This time it was a business trip, so the schedule was rushed and there was not much time to really enjoy the trip.

That is it for this brief itinerary overview. If you are interested, please keep reading:

2011 Singapore Business Trip Side Travel Diary Part 1 - Little India and Clarke Quay

2011 Singapore Business Trip Side Travel Diary Part 2 - Singapore Botanic Gardens