Singapore: An Addiction

                Many people ask why I keep coming back to Singapore year after year.  They ask things like “isn’t there nothing much to see there?”  It is a very curious question.  If there was nothing much there, why does it welcome over 10 million visitors each year?  It turns out that for many Indonesians, Singapore means a section of Orchard Road from Ion to 313@Somerset.  If that’s the Singapore they see, then I agree, there’s nothing much to see there.  But open up a map of Singapore, paper or Google, and realize that there is more to Singapore than just one road.  Beyond Orchard, there is a world of adventure packed inside the little red dot on the world map.

                So what is it about Singapore that keeps drawing me back?  For starters, it’s close.  Ninety minutes of flying takes me from my hometown of Jakarta to Changi Airport.  It’s the ideal distance for a short holiday or a long weekend and more practical than vacationing to London or New York City.  Once you’re there, it’s a joy getting around the city.  Having lived in a city without decent public transportation, the Singapore MRT is like Disneyland for public transport enthusiast.  Not only it’s a fast and efficient way to travel, but also the most fun and exciting.  With the EZ Link card, you’ll zip through the stations with ease.

                For a small, dense and technologically advanced city, Singapore offers world class nature tourism.  They provide escapes from the hustle bustle of modern lifestyle and, for young ones, educational recreation.  The new Gardens by the Bay is magnificently eye catching, dancing in contrast with the concrete Marina Bay Sands hotel next to it.  But it’s the Botanic Garden that’s the real star.  With its central location and non-existent entrance fee, it feels like the garden for the people.  Since 1859, it has been an oasis, healing and soothing weary travelers with its many flowers.

For animal lovers, the Wildlife Reserves Singapore operates four world class wildlife attractions.  The Singapore Zoo is one of the best zoos in the world with its cleanliness and massive collections.  It is the ideal attraction for children to escape the shops of Orchard Road and learn something during their holiday.  Nearby is the popular Night Safari, although I find it less interesting than the Zoo because you’re stuck inside a vehicle following a set route.  The newly opened River Safari confirms Singapore’s plan to diversify their tourism.  Instead of building temples of consumerism (i.e. malls and shopping centers), they provide options for non-shoppers to explore other areas of the island.  By the way, the fourth wildlife attraction is the Jurong Bird Park, located on the west side of Singapore.

The story of modern Singapore began with the landing of Sir Stamford Raffles at the present Boat Quay.  Hence, the riverside area is worthy to be explored as it contains much of the island nation’s history.  Behind the statue of Raffles is the Asian Civilization Museum, which exhibits displays of various cultures of Asia.  A short walk from there, you can see the preparation for the 2015 opening of the National Art Gallery.  They could’ve built another shopping mall, but they realized that the people cannot find happiness through shopping alone.  By maintaining and opening new museums and art galleries, they remind the world that they do not forget about their culture and history.  Speaking of art, Singapore is home to two world class theatres: Esplanade and Sands Theatre at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.  They have hosted top shows from Broadway and West End.  No other cities in Asia can boast that.

With the glitter of Orchard Road, tourists sometimes forget that Singapore is a multi-ethnic community.  The Chinese, Malays and Indians have called Singapore home for generations and they all have their areas in the city.  Visiting the Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India will make you feel like you’re visiting three different countries (four if you count modern Singapore).  They all have their distinct community, shops and restaurants that are always captivating.  Singapore has the best Indian cuisine outside of India and no visit to Singapore is complete without tasting a sample in one of Little India’s eatery.  Speaking of food, Singapore’s food is legendary and in my opinion, the second best cuisine in the world after Indonesian.  The reason is due to those three ethnicities contributing to the variety and richness of Singaporean cuisine.  While Hong Kong and Japan have some good food, their cuisines don’t compare to Singapore’s due to the single ethnic nature of their community, which make their food monotonous.  Singapore’s chicken rice is probably analogous to France’s pastries.  It doesn’t matter where you eat it, they’re all good.  There is no bad chicken rice in Singapore, only good and very good.

Despite those reasons, there is no particular one that keeps drawing me back.  Sometimes you can’t give a reason why you like something so much and you never have to.  It’s the combination of everything.  It’s just Singapore being Singapore, a progressive nation with a healthy balance of good living.  It should be an example on how to develop a nation’s tourism industry.  After all, the best way to get repeat customers is to get them addicted.

Europe: More than Sightseeing

                As far as historical treasures go, Europe is the place to visit.  With hundreds of art, architecture and historical wonders spread across the continent, it is tempting to whirlwind your way from London to Istanbul trying to see everything in a short amount of time.  Taking pictures of famous monuments and decorating your fridge with magnets may be fun but Europe (or anywhere else for that matter) is more than just a collection of pretty buildings and souvenir shops.  Behind those monuments, there are stories.  Behind the stories, there are people.  How those people live and interact in their daily lives form the culture of their cities or nations.  Experiencing the culture of Europe is the most memorable part of any Euro trip.

London: Theatre

                No trip to London is complete without watching a performance in a West End theatre.  With about 40 theatres, West End shows have become an attraction in itself, drawing in tourists from all over the world.  Together with New York City’s Broadway, they represent the highest level of theatre in the English speaking world.  Theatre has been a part of the English culture since the days of William Shakespeare.  Although his plays are no longer the hottest shows, his spirit lives on through the various musicals, dramas and comedies.  Long running shows like Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera still draw large crowds despite having been performed over ten thousand times.  The number of old and new shows available will ensure your return to London again and again.

Theatre is an essential part of the London experience.

The Netherlands: Cycling

                The Netherlands are one of the best cycling nations in the world.  There are more bicycles than people in the country and most children can confidently ride on the roads by the time they are twelve.  The Dutch love cycling so much that motorists need to learn how to interact with cyclists as part of their driver’s license requirement.  While most of Amsterdam’s streets have dedicated cycling lanes, and you can definitely make your way around the city on a bicycle, it is the countryside that offers the most charm.  You can always travel to Volendam or Zaanse Schans by bus or private car, but arriving there on two wheels is an unforgettable experience and something to brag about.

The Swiss Alps: Outdoor Activities

                The Alps is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world and makes Switzerland an automatic inclusion in any European itinerary.  It would be a shame if your Alps experience consists only of taking the cable car up Mount Titlis.  There are so many outdoors activities, summer or winter up there that would enhance your Swiss experience considerably.  Even if you’re not a skier, you can like snow-shoe walking, sledding or tobogganing.  Summer brings you the opportunity to enjoy a hike at one of the many hiking trails throughout the country.  One option is to take a cable car up a mountain and hike down.  Those cows you see in many Swiss postcards?  You can only find them if you move away from the touristy areas onto the hiking trails.

Cows grazing near a hiking trail in Switzerland.

Rome: Piazzas and La Passegiata

                Rome is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for good reasons.  It was the capital of the Roman Empire and there are marvelous amounts of Roman treasures to keep a history buff busy for days.  In addition to that, Vatican City lies within Rome’s boundary.  While those are two good reasons why you want to visit the Italy’s capital, don’t miss out on the romantic side of Rome: the piazzas.  Piazzas are public squares where Romans hang out, especially in the evening.  Local artists show off their skills and spontaneous markets may appear.  Most piazzas in Rome are graced by fountains, complete with potable water.  A famous example is Piazza Navona, where Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers stands proudly in the middle.  When the sun goes down, many Romans engage in la passegiata or evening stroll.  Join them for a walk to nowhere in particular.  See bankers and merchants on the streets enjoying their amazing city.  A good route would be to start at Piazza Navona, pass the Pantheon and finish at the Trevi Fountain, where a coin toss would ensure your return to the Eternal City.

Bavaria: Christmas Markets

                It’s seasonal but well worth a visit during the Christmas Market season, usually running from the end of November to Christmas Eve.  Many of Germany’s town squares are transformed into beautiful markets where stalls decorated in Christmas themes.  Their merchandise varies from Christmas artwork to pretzels.  Don’t miss the stalls selling Glühwein (mulled wine).  Its sweet and warm property will keep you heated during the cold German winter.  Nonalcoholic version is usually available at every stall.  While most cities in Germany hold their own Christmas Markets, the Bavarian towns seem to put the best ones.  Combine your trip with a dinner at one of many Bavarian beer halls to complete an unforgettable German experience.

 

The legendary Christmas Market in Nuremberg.

                Europe is expensive and, for Asians, far.  That is why you have to make every Euro trip counts.   Don’t just tick off your check list of things to see.  Spending one or two days in each city doing nothing but taking pictures of monuments will leave you exhausted with very little to show for.  Slow down and soak in the atmosphere.  Be temporary Europeans and live like a local.  The next time your friend brags about how he just came back from one of those lame one-day-per-city tours, ask them “you may have seen Europe, but have you experienced it?”

Make Public Transport Part of Your Vacation

                Vacation.  It’s something that everyone looks forward to.  Whether you’re heading for the beach or hitting the museums, it’s just nice leaving your routine behind.  However, there is still some homework to do before going to the airport.  How to get around a place is just as important as how to get there.  How will you get to the hotel to your favorite museum?  How to get from this new skyscraper to that restaurant?  You can always hail a taxi every time you’re on the move but you will be missing an important part of your vacation: the public transport experience.

                Public transportation means everything that’s not a taxi.  It can be buses, subways, trams or regular trains.  Buses are the most common, available in virtually every city in the world.  It is usually the cheapest, making it a great way to get in touch with local life.  Their biggest drawback is they share the road with regular traffic, often caught in a jam.  The most efficient way to get from one place to another in a big city is the subway and the railway.  Being underground, they avoid the chaotic and crowded traffic above.  This is especially true in major business cities like London, Tokyo and New York City.  When you have limited vacation time, it is smart to maximize your sightseeing opportunity by taking the rail-based transports.

                For a newbie, taking the subway may be intimidating.  The map for a huge subway network looks like jumbled up colored lines drawn by a toddler.  It is prudent to start small.  Singapore MRT had only two lines for 16 years.  Although it is being extended to add four more lines, it remains easy to use.  The city is so small that you can’t really get lost.  At worst, you can get a taxi back to your hotel.  Start small, take a ride for 3 or 4 stops.  For example, ride the MRT from Orchard to City Hall and back.  Once you get the hang of it, you can travel anywhere on the network with confidence.  Eventually, you'll learn how to read the map of a subway network and be able to use it in any city.

Singapore MRT is a simple subway network that everyone can learn to use.

                Public transportation is more than just a way to travel around a city.  It is a chance to observe the culture and habits of the locals.  Taking the train in Tokyo late at night, you can observe how Japanese salarymen interact with each other in various level of sobriety.  You can also see their politeness and manners as they leave each other’s company once they have reached their destination.   Taking the escalators down to the platform, you can see their discipline in standing on one side of the escalator to let people in a hurry past through.

                Several subways, especially in Europe, are full of history.  The world’s oldest subway network is The London Underground, dated back to 1863.  When taking the tube, as it is affectionately known to Londoners, you can marvel at the 150 year old system that still faithfully serves commuters and travelers to this date.  You are not just riding the subway.  You’re riding history.  Arriving at world’s famous monuments by public transport increases the wow factor twofold.  Walking up the stairs of the Westminster tube station out of Exit 3, you will see the House of Parliament right in front of your eyes as soon as you emerge from the underground.  It is a sight you will never see if you take a taxi.

You're not riding the subway.  You're riding history.

                The horror stories of pickpockets and robbers in many European cities’ subways are generally overblown.  They do exist, but as long as you use common sense and don’t wear your bling, you should be safe.  Paris, Milan and New York City all have very safe subways and it would be ashamed to miss out on the experience because of misleading reports on crime rates.  Wear money belts and don’t put your wallet on your back pocket.  Leave your expensive jewelries at home and watch your surroundings for suspicious individuals.

                Vacation is not about seeing sights and taking pictures.  It’s not about buying souvenirs.  It’s about experiencing the history and culture of the people foreign to us.  It’s about being temporary locals and engaging in their day to day activities.  A ride on a city’s subway system is one of the best ways to take in the local atmosphere.  It is not just a mode of transport.  It is a cultural experience.