Flavours of Singapore Part 1

I have never really written about the attractions of my homeland, Singapore, so it came as a pleasant surprise that when I did so for two new friends who are about to pay a visit, I was so overwhelmed with the flavours of Singapore, I could almost taste it in the air.

Food is an integral part of the Singaporean experience and is the main thing that I miss most about it, next to the late night shopping and of course, my family and friends. Hence, all my best plans to "under-eat" when I first arrive in Singapore usually end up in a delicious disaster, because there is just too much temptation and too little time.

I found this site - Uniquely Singapore, which I thought would be a good starting point for them to navigate and find out information about "Calendar Of Events", "Accommodation" and some historical information about Singapore, which like most Australians if they were to take the Citizenship Test, will likely not be able to pin-point the correct information.

Being more interested in places of interest that excluded shopping, it made my work all the more interesting. The only Museum that I know of is the National Museum of Singapore and a small one in the Esplanade - Singapore's Performing Arts Centre.

The National Museum of Singapore has just been revamped and is in the heart of the city, so this is a must see. Like most residents, we have to be educated about visiting our own museums, so Singapore employed one of its most famous comedians on TV to launch an advertising blitz on TV, which apparently worked very well. It is one place that I will have to pay a visit again when I am back because it has been more than 15 years since I last visited it.

The other "museum" that they shouldn't miss is the "Fort Siloso" in Sentosa, the main Singaporean resort island that anyone can spend an entire day on. The "Fort Siloso" attraction chronicles the history of Singapore during the years of Japanese Occupation in World War II, and the wax museum which was my favourite spot to show tourists is now located in the "Images of Singapore". It is a "must-see" because they have recreated various traditions of multicultural Singapore. Tourists will get to see how a traditional Chinese wedding differs from a Muslim wedding as opposed to a Hindu wedding, and also many superstitions, arts and culture of the three main cultural background of Singaporeans. Many of these traditions and superstitions have flown away with the passage of time, so it is always good to show the younger generation what it was like, in the older days when we never had computers, iPods or Play Station.

They are constantly refurbishing and adding new attractions to this resort island and this is where you will find the most scenic beach in Singapore. The three modes of transport to this land are land, sea and air. Land is via transport (air-conditioned buses that they will take after they alight from the Harbourfront MRT Station (MRT = Mass Rapid Transit - like a light rail train, which is the main means of public transport). From the same station, you can also adjourn to the World Trade Centre and either go via ferry or take the cable car (air). You can easily spend a day there though I have to warn in advance that there aren't any food courts to be found on the island the last time I went. However, there are plenty of food courts in the HarbourFront shopping complex "Vivo City", which is a very popular new shopping destination for Singaporeans.

Siloso Beach

There is a really good food court on the top level of the shopping complex called "Food Republic". Decked out in old fashioned fanfare, it is such a refreshing change from the usual stereotypes, because you will actually feel that you are transported back in time to the 50s where stalls used to run side by side on the street. The decor is also very old fashioned Chinese and the food is delicious. Apparently, they are the new "in-thing", so if you miss it, don't worry too much, because there are a few others around.

There is also a huge Merlion (the head of a lion attached to a mermaid's tail) in Sentosa, where if you go up to the top, you will get a bird eyes view of the entire island. It's not entirely my cup of tea but it may be yours. When I was much younger, my parents used to bring us there for a holiday and as we grew older, we would go there with friends, and this would probably happen once a year. Every time we went, we would either stay for the 8.30 pm or 9.30 pm Musical Fountain, where there will be a fountain display and water dances accompanied by laser lights and music. It is still a sight to see, so you may want to stay for that, if you feel like it.