Who Told Them I Was Coming?

Somebody let the cat out of the bag. I wanted to slip into Singapore unobtrusively, walk its city streets, ride its river and soak in its atmosphere as just another face in the crowd. I walked the few blocks from my hotel to the Singapore River and was contentedly watching the bum boats ply the waters when suddenly there was a deafening roar. Directly overhead, five helicopters flew in formation, the lead one towing an enormous Singaporean flag to welcome me. As I enjoyed dinner at an outdoor table along the banks of the river, fighter jets thundered in the sky above my head. Really, no need to go to so much trouble! As dusk fell I joined the crowds strolling along the river – families with ice cream cones, young lovers on benches with their arms twirled around one another, corporate types enjoying after-hours cocktails. Spontaneously I jumped aboard one of the canopied bum boats for a half hour cruise down the river.

Helicopters fly in formation over Singapore, carrying the Singaporean flag
Helicopters fly in formation over Singapore, carrying the Singaporean flag
Fireworks from the top of a highrise in Singapore
Fireworks from the top of a highrise

No sooner had we left the dock than the fireworks began, with stunning bursts showering down from skyscrapers in my honor. The boat reversed direction and motored into a sky full of giant illuminated jellyfish kites, their tentacles bobbing up and down between adjacent fountains and bridges. Really, this is just too much – the extent of your welcome is almost embarrassing!

Seriously, I have no idea what the festivities were all about. It didn’t seem to be a holiday of any kind. I also determined that it was not an everyday event. It felt as if it was being done specifically on my behalf, and perhaps the Universe did arrange it that way. It certainly provided me with a spectacular introduction to Singapore.

I love Asia. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly enjoyed New Zealand and Australia, but there is just something about Asia – each time I return I feel more and more at home and this city is no exception. It is an extremely modern, clean city with a design that makes it fairly easy to get around. Unlike Bangkok, Vietnam, or India, the traffic in Singapore is sedate and civilized. Prices are higher than in other parts of Asia but still affordable. The people are outgoing and friendly and it is so safe here that you can walk around in any part of town in the middle of the night without worry.

City Center
City Center
Police headquarters in Central Singapore sports multi-clored windows
Police headquarters in Central Singapore sports multi-clored windows
Downtown Singapore
Downtown Singapore

Parks abound, including the lovely Fort Canning Park that occupies the highest hill in the city and provides exceptional views of the downtown. The original gates of the fort that was erected here to guard the harbour still stand, their pink concrete and giant iron doors testament to early British influence.

Fort Canning Park Singapore
Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park Singapore
Fort Canning Park

The city seems devoted to art, with outdoor sculptures dotting the landscape throughout the park, along the river quay and in hidden corners of downtown Singapore.

Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture along the waterfront
Outdoor sculpture along the waterfront
Sculpture in a church yard
Sculpture in a church yard
Sculpture in front of a Singapore shopping center
This sculpture, in front of a shopping center, seems to be functional art
Outdoor sculpture along the waterfront
Outdoor sculpture along the waterfront
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park
Outdoor sculpture in Fort Canning Park

The Singapore River is the heart of the city and where everyone gathers in the evening.

Along the shores of the Singapore River in the city's center
Along the shores of the Singapore River in the city’s center
Cafe along the shores of the Singapore River in the city's center
Cafe along the shores of the Singapore River in the city’s center
Restaurants along the River walk
Restaurants along the River walk

Along the water’s edge are hundreds of restaurants of every possible ethnic variety. Hawkers stand in the lane next to the open-air tables, gently enticing passersby with their menus. On the other side of the promenade, skyscrapers filled with retail stores glitter with late night offerings. People are everywhere, strolling the promenade, shopping, visiting with friends, or just sitting peacefully along banks on the steps leading down to the water.

Bum boats ply the Singapore River
Bum boats ply the Singapore River
Along the shores of the Singapore River in the city's center
Along the shores of the Singapore River in the city’s center
Along the shores of the Singapore River in the city's center
Along the shores of the Singapore River in the city’s center

One of the more popular riverfront areas is Clarke Quay (pronounced Key), where lovingly maintained old buildings have been painted in a palette of bright colors, their shutters thrown open to the tropical air. Overhead, a series of giant fabric ‘umbrellas’ have been erected to provide shade for patrons in the midday heat. Beneath this canopy, children frolic in fountains and customers sink into outdoor sofas or cushy chairs to sip a Cappuccino and watch the world go by. Where Clarke Quay meets the river, space-age restaurant pods overhang the water, giving patrons a bird’s eye view of the bum boats plying the waters below.

Clarke Quay Singapore
Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay Singapore
Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay Singapore
Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay Singapore
Clarke Quay
Along the shores of the Singapore River in the city's center
Along the shores of the Singapore River in the city’s center

But evening is when Singapore truly glitters, its glass towers, illuminated bridges and neon-lit restaurants casting their colors down onto the river and up into the sky, where the clouds reflect a brick red hue back onto the city.

Nighttime along the shores of the Singapore River
Nighttime along the shores of the Singapore River
Lights of Singapore at night reflect on the river
Lights of Singapore at night reflect on the river
Singapore by night, full of light
Singapore by night, full of light

Sigh! I wish I had more than three days here. But then, I say that wherever I go. So many places, so little time.

9 thoughts on “Who Told Them I Was Coming?”

  1. OK, I’ll admit — I told them you were coming. 🙂 Love what I’m reading here about Singapore. Never been there (or anywhere in Asia) and maybe this should be the first place in Asia I visit. Beautiful, clean, safe, artsy — wonderful!

    Reply
    • LOL Cathy. If you’ve never been to Asia, Singapore is a good place to start. It’s gentler than most of the rest of that part of the world. Of course, that also means you’ll have a less exciting first exposure to Asia, but I do recommend Singapore.

      Reply
    • Hi Suzanne: Thanks so much – I aim to please! I do encourage people to include Singapore on their Asian itinerary, especially if they’ve never been to Asia, as it is a more orderly, very safe option. I was told, and found it to be true, that I could wander around all alone, all hours of the night with all my camera equipment hanging around my neck, and not have to worry one bit. Certainly can’t say that about most of Asia. I think you’ll like it.

      Reply
  2. Hi Irda: Thanks for your comment. I did really like Singapore and am sure I
    will come back that way someday.

    Reply
  3. Hi there, I came across your blog while looking for travel info to Hoi An, Vietnam. I started reading and was instantly hooked. I loved your pictures & reading about your adventures during your travels.
     
    Anyway, I’m glad you got such a warm & grand welcome in Singapore and I’m happy you loved it here. You came at the perfect timing to celebrate Singapore’s independence. From your description, I gather that it’s our National Day.
     
    You should come visit again you know, because the constuction across Marina Bay is finally completed. It’s known as Marina Bay Sands. A huge complex comprising of hotel, shopping centre, art & science museum, theatre, casino… And the universal studios singapore in Sentosa is up & running. 🙂

    Reply
  4. What a grand welcome!! From your wonderful description, one could feel the roar of the jets and the beautiful colors!! Thanks for sharing with all of us. karen

    Reply

Leave a Comment