SINGAPORE –

THE LION CITY

Saturday, March 1, 2025, 6 AM, Temperature 79 Degrees, Humidity 87%, W – N 5-7 mph

John remembers sitting on the porch of the Raffles Hotel in 1979, drinking a Gin & Tonic. At that time, it was still waterfront property. By tradition, there is always a Sikh doorman at the Raffles Hotel (our guide said it’s the only job in Singapore where you can “discriminate” and require a specific religion). John says there was a Sikh doorman when he was there. Supposedly, in1909, a wild boar got loose in the Raffles on the way to market. The Sikh doorman wrestled the pig to the ground and held it down until it could be removed. Now, the Raffles is dwarfed by a forest of high-rises on reclaimed land. Singapore is the smallest country in Asia by size but has grown from 224 sq. miles when it gained independence in 1965 to 290 sq miles in 2023. Fill and sand are brought in from Malaysia and Indonesia to “create” land on the shore. The land is allowed to settle and age for 20 -25 years (some are planted with trees; others serve as plant nurseries or open grassy areas. When the land is deemed stable, the construction begins – and they have built an amazing city of gleaming high-rises in a city that has become the 4th largest finance center in the world (only after NY’s Wall Street, London, and Hong Kong).

Singapore (Officially the Republic of Singapore) is an island country and city-state on the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, only 1 degree north of the Equator. It is a multiethnic community of 6 million. Our tour guide stressed several times that people of all religions live together peacefully, respecting each other. He pointed out one block with a Buddhist temple, a Mosque, a Methodist Church, and a Hindu Temple in the same block. 74.3% of the population is Chinese, 13.5 % Malay, and 9% Indian.

Although Singapore has been an important trading port since the 1400s, the contemporary era started in 1819 when Stamford Raffles established a trading post for the British Empire. In 1867, it came under the direct control of Britain. It was occupied by the Japanese in WW II but returned as a British Colony in 1945. It gained self-governance in 1959 and 1963 became part of a new federation with Malaysia, North Borneo, and Sarawak. Singapore became an independent sovereign country in 1965.

Singapore is an amazing, modern, clean, crime-free city. I thought we were staying 2 days in Singapore. Unfortunately, I was wrong; it was only one day (a week would probably not be enough to see everything). We toured the city, including an active Hindu Temple in Chinatown. The Temple was on Beach Road because the street was originally on the beachfront where Chinese immigrants initially came ashore. There is no beach anymore; the city surrounds it. We took a boat ride on the Singapore River and cruised by the iconic Merlion fountain. Then a drive by the Marina Bay Sands Hotel (built by the Sands Hotel Las Vegas)! The Marina Bay Sands Hotel has three towers connected by a top shaped like a “cruise ship” with an infinity pool. Since a double room can cost $1200 a night and up, I don’t think we’ll stay there. There are 2600 rooms in the 57-story towers, but that isn’t enough – a fourth tower is under construction. The last stop was the NCO Club for a Singapore Sling. Originally known as the Britannia when the British Commission General opened it for Southeast Asia. Later named the NCO (Non-Commission Officers Club) and set up in 1974 to strengthen the bonds of the Singapore Armed Services. The NCO Club contains 5 different dining and bar facilities and is now part of the JW Marriott Hotel.

Miscellaneous Facts Learned from our Guide:

Mandatory Service for Males: All men at 18 years of age need to serve for two years. It can be in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Service (Firemen or Police), and other Public Service. They’re assigned to a service; they don’t get to choose. After the two years of active duty, they serve in Reserves 2 weeks a year and are eligible to be called once during the ten years after they complete mandatory service. Those serving in the military must meet military physical standards yearly (timed sprint, long run, chin-ups, sit-ups, and broad jump).

Purchasing and Automobile: We didn’t see a lot of cars on the street; here’s why! Singapore wants to limit the number of cars on the road. A small car costs approximately $100,000 S$ ($74,000 American), but that’s only half of it! You must have a Certificate of Entitlement before you can purchase a car. Each year, the government sets a quota for Certificates (say 6,000 a year), and then people bid on the Certificates. The cost could easily be equal to the cost of the car - $90,000 to $100,000. There is an additional annual charge. The certificate lasts ten years, so you must bid on a new one. Our guide said you don’t see many old cars in Singapore because people sell them in Malaysia or Indonesia rather than purchase a new certificate for an old car. The vehicles are in high demand because they are usually low mileage since Singapore is a small country and people don’t drive far.

NOT RELATED TO ANYTHING: TIME

We haven’t moved our clocks back in a week! Today, Sunrise and Sunset were both at approximately 7:25 AM and PM. I usually go to the indoor pool at 7 AM, and although the pool was lighted, it was still dark outside. I haven’t been swimming in the dark since January!