Travel to Singapore

Singapore became my 53rd country, though it was an accidental discovery. We'd planned to continue to Indonesia, but discovered during our Singapore layover that we needed a visa. Change of plans - we decided to properly explore Singapore for a couple of days, then head back to Malaysia to finish what we'd started there.

Singapore is a city-state of 5.5 million people packed into just 730 square kilometers - roughly the size of a medium US city. It's gone from a fishing village to one of the world's wealthiest nations in just two generations. The transformation is visible everywhere: gleaming skyscrapers, impeccable public transport, and a level of cleanliness that borders on obsessive.

What I Experienced

Two days turned out to be enough to hit the highlights, though certainly not to truly know the place. Marina Bay Sands is even more impressive in person - the rooftop infinity pool (guests only, unfortunately) overlooks a skyline that looks like the future. Gardens by the Bay, with its Supertree Grove and Cloud Forest dome, felt like walking into a science fiction movie.

The food was extraordinary. Singapore is basically a giant food court representing every Asian cuisine. Hawker centers (government-sponsored food halls) serve Michelin-quality meals for a few dollars. We tried everything - Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, char kway teow, chili crab - and left convinced that Singapore might have the best food scene in Asia.

What struck me most was the efficiency. The MRT is spotless and runs like clockwork. Everything works. The tradeoff is a certain sterility and famously strict rules (no chewing gum, harsh drug penalties), but the quality of life is undeniable.

Practical Notes

• Singapore Dollar is the currency
• MRT covers the entire city - buy an EZ-Link card
• Hawker centers are the best value for food
• English is widely spoken (it's an official language)
• The heat and humidity are intense - dress accordingly

Singapore is what happens when urban planning works. It's not the most characterful place, but as a showcase of what a city can be, it's remarkable.

Aerial photography from Singapore is available for purchase with commercial license - perfect for Southeast Asian travel marketing, modern cityscape content, or futuristic urban wall art.