Singapore #1

The cleanest city in the world, the tax haven, the financial center, the city of the future… City where smoking or chewing gum is strictly forbidden and for the litter dropped outside the trash bin, you might have your hand cut!

At least, I’ve heard on the board during the flight. Singapore is the country that has a world-famous name. It is spread over one of the main islands and a few other small islands, adjacent to Malaysia and the islands of Indonesia. The city has long been one of the British colonies; later, as part of Malaysia, it has gained independence from Britain, but for religious differences it finally separated from the country in 1965. Separated sovereign city state has been formed and now belongs to the most developed countries in the world. Singapore also belongs to Asian tigers, it is the third largest financial center in the world and the city with the highest living standard. There are several languages ​​spoken here – Malay, Mandarin, and especially English. It is a multicultural center, but the distinctive Chinese influence is reflected in the predominant Buddhist religion. Although the official Republic of Singapore is in hands of elected parliament, for a strong leader’s hand the country is considered as a semi-authoritarian regime. Singapore is one of the Asian tigers, but many call it Lion’s land. Why? No one knows, lions were never seen in this area… At least as much as I read about Singapore on the Internet. But what kind of impression I will really have, let me find out soon…

 

The city of future

We arrive to the city of the future right before lunch. The hotel is ecological and strictly non-smoking, just like most of the city. Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas. The waste is strictly recycled. After short rest, I go downstairs for an early dinner, and with the metro map I head to downtown. Even though I’ve had very nice crew on the board, this time I want to enjoy Singapore by myself. I head to Marina Bay, famous Gardens by the Bay. As soon as I get off of the subway, I feel like I’ve just travelled by time machine and find myself in next future. Everywhere around me there are magnificent giant trees (artificially built but with living plants). Entrance to the park is for free, but you must pay a fee for the Botanical garden and the Rainforest. I’m in. I walk through the park and feel like Alice in Wonderland. From the bridge, overlooking the canal, I have a view of the most iconic Singapore building with a ship-shaped roof and a Singaporean eye. 

When I enter the Botanical Garden, it’s getting dark slowly. In Flower Dome, plants from all over the world, even baobabs, are all under one roof! In the another Rainforest Dome, there is real rainforest growing in the middle with a huge waterfall. As it is dark outside, everything is beautifully enlightened and the park moves into another dimension. On the way back, I still catch up a fantastic laser show on the the gigantic trees with all the colors of the world while music says: “Singapore, my city of future…” Before I get back to the hotel, I go check the futuristic bridge over Marina Bay Sands with a gorgeous panorama view of the Marina Bay Sands Art Science Museum, which floats directly on the water like a lotus bloom. Later in my bed I have to think how our planet will look like a few centuries later. Perhaps it will be full of magnificent, advanced technologies and newly built gardens, forests and parks. In the future we will not need strict rules and prohibitions, but in our own interest will be to treat our nature more responsibly, because we will still remember the desperation when we have almost lost it…

Lotus bloom on the water

The next morning I want to see the beauty of Marina Bays Sands one more time, but this time in the daylight. Again, with the feeling of Alice in Wonderland, I walk through the park. This time there are less people in the gardens; finally, I have the chance to get on the bridge in the crowns of gigantic trees without queuing. For safety reasons, only a certain number of people are allowed to go up at one time. You have exactly 15 minutes to enjoy the view from the bridge. Visitors usually keep the limit responsibly. I feel a bit dizzy coz of the height, but the view is worth it. Again, I want to go back to Art Science museum and the futuristic bridge. In the daylight everything looks different. In the fountain beneath the museum there are thousands of real lotus blooms floating. On the other side of the shore, there is a statue of the Merlion, the symbol of Singapore, but nowadays he takes a shower as is stays on posters covering the reconstruction work around it. Since I still have time, I also take the metro to the popular China Town. Before our flight back to Abu Dhabi, we meet with colleagues in hotel lobby and exchange our experiences. While I was walking around the gardens, my colleague was swimming with dolphins. I immediately got an idea of ​​what I will do in Singapore if I get the another chance to fly here again.

Santosa Island and swimming with dolphins

And I didn’t have to wait for too long. Here we go, after a month I’m in futuristic Singapore again! Because I have made plans for next day, the first day after arrival I just spend resting and having good Asian dinner. In the small restaurant right opposite our hotel, I have Malaysian Nasi Lemak, a chicken with coconut rice and an egg and some Indonesian pudding made from black rice and coconut milk as a dessert. Excellent choice! The next morning, I’m going to choose Singapore’s entertainment island, Santosa. There are plenty of fun and water parks, even Universal Studios. People are here to feed rays or observe sharks. And I have a date with dolphins today! I’m really looking forward to it. As an animal lover I have a little reproach that I’m going to support the business with captured animals but I can’t resist to see dolphins for the first time in my life. I also strongly believe that in a country where people care about environment so much, dolphins must be well looked after, too. I’ve just booked a date with dolphins online. To Santosa Island I have to take metro, then change for special Santosa train. Part of my ticket is free access to the water park, but I don’t feel like go for slides on my own, so I just relax in the sun. 

Ten minutes before the 12 o’clock, they will let us enter the Dolphin Complex. We are very small group. All dressed in neoprenes watching the dolphins playing in the pools. As soon as these cute animals see people watching them, they literally start performing. Even though there are no trainers around, the dolphins leap out of the water. Without the trainers’ approval, however, we have the respect to touch them. After a while the trainers show up on the scene and divide us into two smaller groups. Gradually we all jump into the pool and get acquainted with the dolphins. We can touch them, take pictures with them (own photos are not allowed, but there is an official photographer at the pool all the time, from which you can later buy framed photos or photos on CDs or USB), and trainers even teach us some tricks how to dance with them. I am fascinated by these intelligent, friendly and playful creatures. The trainer tells us that every dolphin has its own personality, some are more charming, others keep a distance. Many of them were born among people and therefore they are used to life in captivity. And who would not love dolphins? It can be seen that the all the trainers adore their work with them. From now on I will have a beautiful memories framed in pictures forever…