SINGAPORE. The Lion City (part 1 of 3)

[Pansori]

It was 3rd time I made it to SG (2006, 2007 and now 2009). I lost my memory card with all the pictures in 2007 so I had to come back this year ... it's probably not the last time I'm back though. Each time I come over, Singapore fascinates me more and more. If some cities are building the future, then it's fair to say that Singapore has already built it some time ago because it's hard to imagine a city that is more convenient, better ordered and more advanced than anything else on this planet.

Anyway, here's a selection of pics I took during the 5 days of my stay


I wanted to stay off the central area so a friend who was studying in Singapore recommended me Geylang... I wasn't quite sure what was special about it but I found out soon (it looks very different in the night)
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Geylang is one of few places in Singapore that is relatively untouched by modern developments. The shophouses are protected as heritage and cannot be demolished


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About 8:30 in the morning. Pretty much everything is still closed


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One of many KTV (aka brothel) bars in Geylang


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Sims Way. I wonder if this is a coinsidence because in many ways Singapore is indeed like a rel-life version of Sim City game


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'Electronic Road Pricing' (ERP) operates all around the city deducting road tax from passing cars. The amount of money paid depends on the location and time of day. Seems like a very clever and hi-tech way of collecting cash from drivers.


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Traffic jams during the morning rush hour
Singapore's car ownership is something around 120 cars per 1000 of inhabitants (compared with 400-500 in many European countries and even more than that in US). This is because of high taxation on cars which makes it unaffordable to many. But nothing to worry about because Singapore has got one of the best (if not the best... and very affordable) public transport systems in the world which works like a Swiss-made watch. Taxis are also extremely reliable and affordable and roads are wide and never congested. Despite low number of cars all Singapore is crisscrossed by motorways which make it possible to get from such locations as airport to any other part of the city in no more than 30 minutes.


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Mosque


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Why are the sidewalks empty?


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Because of a simple reason, it's too hot. Heat can really kill you on a sunny day which is why shade becomes one of the most wanted things during the day. It's not a problem in Singapore though, there are lots of trees and other things that can provide a hideout from direct sun


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Statue of Stamford Raffles, a guy who once established Singapore. He'd probably be very proud if saw it today


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Raffles Place, the main square in the CBD


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The Singapore MRT (metro) is hidden underground in central areas while outside the downtown it's using such concrete bridges, similar to those of Bangkok Skytrain


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All kinds of public transport


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You CAN see rubbish on the streets... occasionally... sometimes... ok, very rarely


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Afternoon traffic


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Geylang Road is normally more busy than surrounding streets


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Toyota Camry happens to be one of the most popular cars in its class in Singapore.


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Geylang Road


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BNE Was here. We don't know who or what is BNE though


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BNE was in Lor 8 as well...



If anyone liked that, there will be two more parts including nightshots and views from Singapore Flyer which at the moment is world's largest observation wheel. Stay tuned!

[bOrN2BwILd]

great pics..i really love it all..keep it comin

[peacedot]

Great shots!

[LS Kim]

Very modern and nice city!!

Congratulations!

[RafflesCity]

Originally Posted by Pansori

It was 3rd time I made it to SG (2006, 2007 and now 2009). I lost my memory card with all the pictures in 2007 so I had to come back this year ... it's probably not the last time I'm back though. Each time I come over, Singapore fascinates me more and more. If some cities are building the future, then it's fair to say that Singapore has already built it some time ago because it's hard to imagine a city that is more convenient, better ordered and more advanced than anything else on this planet.

You would most certainly need to come back Pansori! As you would have noticed, there are many new projects that would be completing next year onwards.

I await more pics from you.

[RafflesCity]

Originally Posted by Pansori

6.
About 8:30 in the morning. Pretty much everything is still closed

I find this quite unusual, because if this was a coffeeshop that is meant to serve breakfast, they usually open way earlier than that to catch the working crowd. Otherwise, quite surprised that they would just leave the chairs in the open like that. Most of the areas around Geylang have similar streetside coffeeshops that are usually open at that time.

[christos-greece]

After Bangkok, this thread "Singapore" will be great; the city is (looks) really very nice; i think it's time to know a different view of Singapore

[JPBrazil]

I'm amazed

[teddybear]

Singapore seems to get cleaner, it is really neat and spotless! Great city!