"Singapore, The Big Apple of Asia"

Singapore is just a different world. First thing I thought when I arrived was; "Am I in Asia?" Everything is just 200 percent around. To illustrate, there is no garbish on the streets, even kewing gum is forbidden! Trains and subways are perfectly scheduled and arrives in time. The skyline consist of huge skyscrapers, with all big multinational (most of it investment banks) included. Expensive cars on the streets, BMW's, Mercedes, Audi's everywhere. Even there are few motorbikes and scooters in the traffic. Compared with Vietnam, a total different approach! This is just the beginning...

The residents of Singapore consist of four major groups, which are the Chinese, Malays, Indians and Expats (from Europe). Singapore is "the rich part" of Malay, and just 50 years ago independent. In line with this argument, the major parts of the city are Chinatown, Litle India and the Marina Bay, where are big companies are esthablised. The Singaporians are all busy (same as in Europe), for example everyone is playing their smartphone in the subway. I started to ask myself the question; " where is al this wealth comming from?", especially compared with other countries in Asia (which are in general less wealthy". The explanation has to be seached in the history, Singapore was a British colony before, and they built the land. How expensive the country is, you can see at the prices, for example a beer cost 7.5 SGD (no place to get drunk). Another reason is because there are a lot of expats, who are working for these big investment banks. They earn a lot of money with trading on the stock markets.
  
Almost everything in Singapore is fake or created by people theirselves. Temples, gardens and buildings are very modern and not very audenthic. However, the sights in the city are great, especially the Botanic Gardens and the Gardens by the Bay are beautiful. The (free) light show at the Gardens are impressive, it is just walking in the real world of Avatar. In front of the Gardens at the Bay is Marnina Bay Sands, a enormous hotel with a skydeck bar on the roof. This impressive building (entering for free), which has 57 floors, gives a wide and nice view over the city. There is even a swimming pool on the top. A room costs over the 800 SGD a night, fully booked... Furthermore, I have visited the Botanic Gardens. These gardens are unique, with a lot of different flowers (orchids) with magnificent colors.

The second day I walked in the area of Chinatown and Little India. Only few blocks away from the big skycrapers are the neighbourhoods of the Chinese and Indians. The vibe is very nice and reminds me of my visit in India, nearly five years ago. Music everywhere, Indian (spicy) food and several impressive temples. I visited one of these temples during the praying, interesting to see their offerings to their gods!

All together, I was surprised about my visit in Singapore, which has a lot of diversity due to all the different nationalities living there. All the richdom and wealth was very striking with the rest of Asia so far. Back to "the real Asia" again, my next destination will be Cambodia.