Singapore from the River

After finally learning the MRT and buses I decided to try to take a river cruise on the Singapore River to see another view of the "same old, same old" and I am glad I did.Now I have an idea of what Singapore looks like from the "other side". Singapore Inc. is certainly alive and well as you can see in the pictures of the business district which rivals any city I would think. Actually, it reminds me a lot of Toronto. Where it is different is some of the spectacular buildings like the Esplanade and the Marina Sands hotel which I keep showing you in pictures which is quite distinct really ( especially the casino with it's $25 minimum!)

I guess what is really distinct about Singapore is the melange of people. One thing I found quite interesting today was an Indian shopkeeper in Chinatown of all places. I can't remember whether I told you before, but in the public housing, there is a quota on every floor of Indians, Eurasians, Chinese and Tamils. It makes for an interesting social experiment I would think. Most people in Singapore live in these public housing flats but today they buy them so it is not like what we think of public housing in North America. In fact, the market is super hot to buy the 99 year leases and the government is trying to cool the market.

In every flat, which might house thousands of people, there is veritable marketplace on the ground level. Today, for example, I had my choice of about three barbers to take a haircut, 5 or 6 clinics, bikeshops, every kind of good and service. I settled on a barbershop in the flats across the street. You are never far from food in Asia as there are dozens if not hundreds of little restaurants in these ground floors.

After getting out of the boat at the Esplanade, quite a different story than the ground floor of the public housing units, I had a brownie for $10 and saw quite an interesting children's performance. I then finished off the day in Chinatown which is still kind of fun, even though the mid-Autumn festival and the lights are no longer burning. It is still a hub of excitement. In the next couple of weeks I am looking forward to the Hindu festival of Deepavali which should be fun.

Every week-end I keep meaning to visit the bird sanctuary. Maybe next week-end???