Mini Series - Singapore

By Ieuan Dolby

Singapore is a classy place designed for the hyperactive tourist who has a good pair of walking shoes (plus spares) and money to spend. The ideal time frame for a prospective holiday would be three days, maybe as part of larger tour of Asia or simply a weekend extravaganza of wallet emptying proportions.

This is an Island of concrete jungles of spaghetti highways and of a fast paced society. Life does not stop and there is minimal time to spend relaxing in parks or taking days off for those that live here. And for those visiting a few days is enough if total exhaustion is to be missed and to have some money left over for the duty free.

Hidden away in the interiors of Singapore are some lovely touristy attractions. The Night Safari or Sentosa (the Island Resort), to name but a few but right on the doorstep of any hotel are larger attractions that appeal in far greater proportions than the view from a tour bus might give.

The Shops

Mall after Mall of glittering glass shines brightly, walkways of stalls piled high with offerings, department stores delightfully attracting customers in with promises of sales of the century and streets reek with items to buy and prospective purchases to browse through. From Indian carvings, Indonesian batik to Chinese carpets, from modern apparel, classic furnishings to the latest Rolex watch, it is all available and right under the nose.

Should a shopper pause when exiting from yet another dazzling spending experience and whilst eyeing up the next glittering air-conditioned superstore they will find another side to life that will immediately have the taste buds hopping.

The Food

At every mall basement and level, at every street corner and crossing a food stall or restaurant will entice shoppers away from the shops. Smells of India, Malaysia and China intermingle with those from Italy and Europe; cooks from all corners of the globe strive to outdo each other by producing mounds of enticing and delicious food for the weary shopper at any price they may wish to pay.

And after having worn through the shoes and the spares, after having bought bargains at every shop and mall in Singapore and after having tasted some of the most amazing foods in the world why would anybody want to visit a bird park or swim in the sea?.

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