Singapore - the Lion City

My first taste of south east Asia was the extremely culturally diverse city state of Singapore. It's population of 4.6 million is relative to that of New Zealand's 4.2 million and yet Singapore is only 0.003% of the size. Madness!

This is a city of cleanliness, efficiency, technology and tons of good food. They have a subway system here named after me, I was delighted to find. The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is fast, reliable and thoroughly air-conditioned which is greatly appreciated; it certainly kicks the arse of the Underground and even (I hate to say it) the mighty Metro.

Downtown skyline.

Oh yeah, it's BOILING here. Really humid and hot. The kind of heat where as soon as you step out of the shower and you think you're clean you automatically start sweating regardless. Apparently it is actually warmer than usual for this time of year, but to come from the start of spring in New Zealand to this is quite the climate shock. It has taken a few days to get used to it, as well as billions of pints of water, but I'm getting there.

The Merlion is the national symbol of Singapore.

As you travel about the different parts of the city and through the difference quarters, you come across lots of different types of architecture, as well as different races with their associated cultures. From modern day sky scrapers in the downtown/banking area to the original British Colonial buildings. There's a Chinatown, Little India and Arab Quarter amoungst others, all with something new to discover.

So, I've landed on a new continent (taking the running total to 4) and so far it looks pretty good, plus my new life skill of mastering chopsticks is well under way. You get some tasty grub here! I get the feeling I'm really going to get on well with Asia....

Colonial, modern and even futuristic space-age architecture, all thrown in.

One perculiar place, called the Esplanade, reminded me a lot the Sage back home, but only a bit more spikey and wierd. Kind of looked like an armadillo!