Singapore, the geek of Southeast Asia

Traveling from Manila to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, one clearly sees the latter is wealthier and more developed. Then again, going from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore there is also a distinct difference in the develpment level of the two cities. In fact, Singapore is the most developed city in all of Southeast Asia, and among all the shopkeepers, taxi drivers, and restaurant workers you will also see multitudes of well-heeled young yuppies, with their designer clothes and high-end cell phones, hurrying to and from work in the city's gleaming high-rises.


Unfortunately our visit to Singapore coincided with F1, which meant crowded hotels with peak rates, portions of the city blocked off for F1 ticket holders only, and the frequent roar of the F1 cars throughout the downtown area.


In many ways Singapore reminds me of Japan, for example, eyebrow "resurrections" for hundreds of dollars.



Also like Japan, in Singapore it's not unusual to see exorbitantly priced fruit, for example $10 pears.


Though one would expect to find Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, the Sri Mariamman Temple, in Little India, it's actually located in the heart of Chinatown.







This is Singapore's colorful and bustling Little India, up in the northern part of the city. It's an area full of males who are on short-term contracts working jobs like construction that Singaporeans don't want.


I snapped this photo minutes before checking out of Hotel 1929 in Chinatown and heading back to Malaysia.


More unusual hotel art. This oversized print of opium smokers in Chinatown is hanging in the lobby of Hotel 1929.


For sale at shops in Chinatown. Even if I weren't a vegan, I'm not sure how I'd go about preparing these critters. Reconstitute in water and then broil?


Every Saturday evening on Pagoda Street in Chinatown there is a free lion dance performance. This one was the drunken lion dance. Just above its head you can see the Sri Mariamman Temple tower.


Also on Saturday evening was a Chinese opera performance. Only four people were in attendance, but I found it to be a wonderful experience and very much worth the $20 admission price (lychee tea and Chinese mango pudding included in the price).


I took this Marina Bay shot during a 40-minute evening boat ride on the Singapore River.