What it Means to be Singaporean

After our liveaboard in Raja Ampat we spent the night in Sorong before catching our return flights, all three of them, to Singapore. We arrived at our hotel shortly after midnight and were ready for some serious sleep. We had 5 days to explore and absorb Singapore's many attractions and vibrant multiculturalism. The public transit system took us some time to learn its intricacies, but it proved to be a cheap, easy, and efficient way of getting just about anywhere in the city.

Staggering architecture, both religious and commercial

outside a Chinatown fitness center

One of the major highlights was our trip to the Singapore National Museum (pictured below)

We learned the history of Singapore from their formal founding as "Singapura", or Lion City, in the 1400's, to their independence from England only about 50 years ago. The most interesting thing was how the citizens of Singapore throughout its history had much stronger ties to their ethnic background, rather than their current location. Predominantly Chinese, Indian, and Malay, the population didn't start to self recognize as "Singaporean" until after it's independence, when strong nationalism was endorsed by the new government. Even in their version of the "Pledge of Allegiance", which the school children repeat every morning, there is verbiage about being multicultural and accepting people regardless of their race, religion, culture or otherwise. It is a very interesting and unique history which has produced a wholly unique vibe to the entire city. Learning about what made Singapore, Singapore proved to be a major highlight so far. 

The "Supertrees" at Singapores Garden by the Bay

The Gardens by the Bay were another starkly Singaporean sight. Throughout the city there are trees, parks, lush greenery and no shortage of the smell of nature around you. However, there is a very specific style which all the plant life falls into. Singapore certainly appreciates nature and strive to have it be a part of their lives, but it is always tamed. Groomed, trimmed, manicured and otherwise shown in its best and most humanized way. The Gardens by the Bay were an intense microcosm of this ideal. Many different plants from all over the world, in almost an outdoor museum style, everything carefully in its place and labeled. And don't forget, everything lights up at night even the creepiest statue of this falling baby inches from impact.

Gardens by the Bay on the Right

East side of Downtown on the Left

The appreciation of nature didn't just stop with plants. The "Night Safari" came highly recommended, and it did not disappoint. It was an incredible to see a variety of nocturnal animals during their hours of activity.

Mousedeer

What Laura referred to as "Demon Deer"

Civet

Red Tail Flying Squirrel

Flying Fox (Basically a giant bat)

Long Spine Porcupine

Singapore really blew my expectations away. I typically loath big cities, congestion, and crowding, but Singapore delivered an authentically ethnic and consistently mind-blowing cuisine, constant cultural education, and the best smelling city I have ever experienced. Seriously, the worst smell in Singapore is "neutral". We left feeling like we could have spent another week and still had plenty of this city left to experience. From there it was on to Thailand...