Explore Singapore, the Fascinating Mosaic of Cultural Diffusion!

Singapore History:

It would not be an exaggeration to say that millions of global tourists, flocking to Singapore in search of fashion, shopping, glitz and glamour hardly know the proper history of this island city-state located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It is a wonder, that being the smallest country in Southeast Asia, Singapore happens to be the site of several ancient port cities and a possession of several empires in its "not-so-well-known" history.

To start with, when Singapore was colonized by the United Kingdom in the 19th century, it was nothing but a small Malay fishing village, the first records of its existence being made in the Chinese texts as early as the 3rd century. The island which then bore the javanese name "Temasek" and which happened to be an outpost of the Sumatran Srivijaya (an ancient Malay kingdom on the island of Sumatra) empire, gradually rose to become a significant trading city. However, throughout history, it had to bear the brunt of several political conflicts, which altered its destiny in course of time.

For example, Singapore was a part of the Sultanate of Johore, untill it was set ablaze by portuguese troops in the Malay-Portugal wars in 1617. Again, in 1819, British East India Company made a treaty with the Sultan of Johore and established Singapore as a trading post and settlement. Later, seeing instant growth and immigration from various ethnic groups to Singapore, it was declared a crown colony by Britain in 1867. Its status was soon raised to that of an entrepot town by the ruling British empire due to its strategic location along the busy shipping routes connecting Europe to China.

Destiny had written a few more dramatic twists and turns for Singapore, "The Lion City", as it also called. Further occupied by the Japanese Empire in World War II, it finally became part of the merger which formed the "Federation of Malaysia. Finally, after much tussels with the Federal government in Kuala Lumpur, the nation ultimately acquired independence in 1965.

However, what we see today as a tousists' paradise was for many years, a fledgling nation struggling for self-sufficiency. Overburdened with mass unemployment, housing shortages and lack of land and natural resources such as petroleum, it was a sociopolitically volatile and economically undeveloped nation, relying massively on foreign investment and government-led industrialisation. The situation started changing after Lee Kuan Yew joined as prime minister in 1959. Within three decades, his administration curbed unemployment, raised the standard of living and developed Singapore's economic infrastructure, thus elevating Singapore into a developing nation and subsequently to developed status.

In the recent years, the country has tackled various disasters, the major ones being the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the SARS outbreak in 2003, and terrorist threats posed by the Jemaah Islamiah (JI).

Singapore Economy:

It is really heartening to know that with 63 surrounding islets and with a total land area of 682 square km, the main island of Singapore, with its market-based economy, has grown into a thriving centre of commerce and industry in just 150 years. Successfully increasing its manufacturing base after being a 'backward fishing village' for many years, Singapore today thrives on various industries including shipping (Singapore today is the busiest port in the world with over 600 shipping lines sending super tankers, container ships and passenger liners), electronic components manufacturing and above all its booming travel/tourism industry. The island city state located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula that has suffered various political and economic onslaughts is now home to four million people, also boasting of one of the highest per capita gross domestic products in the world. The economic progress of Singapore as a nation can be an enriching example of how a mere "fishing village" and a British naval base for decades can be reborn as an important financial, commercial and educational center for South East Asia.

The credit for this resurrection goes to the PAP Government, who, assisted by a far-sighted Dutch economic adviser, realized the need of maintaining its colonial inheritance by attracting foreign capital from the developed world to establish export-oriented industries, while at the same time building up a modern service sector in Singapore based on banking and financial services. Needless to say, this economic strategy proved a phenomenal success, producing real growth that averaged 8.0% from 1960 to 1999. Thus, relying on foreign investment and expertise, while at the same time building up strong state enterprises, the provision of infrastructure, housing, transport and other basic services for the local population began increasing notably, and the old Singapore consisting of overcrowded and unsanitary slums was demolished strategically.

In recent years, the trade policies of the Singapore government which included commitment to free trade, active export promotion strategy, the 'open arms' policy towards multinationals and the support of trade liberalization have made Singapore an economically stable nation. In due course of time, Singapore has also developed an export trade that thrives on medium and high-technology electronics components. Such trade undoubtedly focuses on the key-strengths of Singapore, including "hi-tech" sectors as information technology and bio-technology.

Singapore Culture/Religion:

A cosmopolitan society with harmonious interaction among various different races, the inherent cultural diversity of the island is a source of one of the prime attractions of the nation. To be precise, this cultural diversity is the ultimate result of the diversity of the population, the intermingling of various ethnic groups and the amalagamation of Chinese, Malay and Indian immigrants. It is not unnatural for one to witness a Malay wedding taking place beside a Chinese wedding at a void deck, on the ground floor of a HDB apartment block in the Singapore city. Infrequent intermarriage between the Chinese and Indians are not unusual occurences in Singapore. Besides indigenous Malay population, Singapore houses a majority of third generation Chinese as well as Indian and Arab immigrants. Thus, the diverse mix of races result in a significant degree of cultural diffusion with its unique combination of ethnic groups. Maybe that is one of the reasons why one would find very little culture that is specifically Singaporean. However, there exists a Eurasian community and a community of Peranakan or "Straits Chinese," (a community of mixed Chinese and Malay descent).

Such a significant degree of cultural diffusion has given Singapore a rich mixture of diversity for its young age. One of the prime examples is the Singapore's cuisine, a massive cultural attraction for tourists. Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian, Italian, Peranakan, Spanish, French, Thai and even Fusion tops the menu. To speak of art and culture, Singapore is identified globally an emerging cultural centre for arts and culture, including theatre and music. Often called the "gateway between the East and West", it has seen the emergence of several performing arts groups, especially in theatrical arts. A number of productions were staged successfully and several groups, including TheatreWorks, have performed overseas too.

As a cosmopolitian and multi-racial society, Singapore has also been the seat of major festivals from various ethnic groups associated with their respective religions. Those again, reflect the diversity of races residing there. While the Chinese are predominantly followers of Buddhism and Taoism, there are even Christians, Catholics and "free thinkers": ones who don't confirm to any religious faith. Thus, in today's Singapore, religions tend to cross racial boundaries and even merge in unusual ways, combining a little of the mysteries of the older generation with the realistic world of today.

Singapore Travel/Tourism:

Celebrated and renowned worldwide as a delightful haven for tourists, Singapore has been able to earn major revenues courtesy its booming tourism industry. With the rise of tourism in Singapore, there is a stiff competition among hotels to run for the best slot. There are cheap airline travels to Singapore today, including apex fare, discounted airfares to Singapore and the like. A seat for the world's most delectable seafood, awe-inspiring sea-beaches, impressive bird-parks and night safaris that account for wonderful wildlife adventure, Singapore today happens to be a little dynamo in Southeast Asia, embodying the finest of both East and West. Truly, the dynamic city rich in contrast and colour captures the hearts of millions of global tourists with its harmonious blend of culture, cuisine, arts and architecture and above all, its unbridled energy.

While on entering this cosmopolitan, multi-cultural city, one experiences the mélange of flavours from around the globe, the multicultural heritage of the nation is bound to sweep one off his feet as he discovers an ever-changing mosaic of fascinating contrasts. Thus, the amalgamation of ancient beliefs and contemporary culture, of rich legacies and sleek modern living makes Singapore an ever-youthful, ever-enchanting nation for tourists.

Tourist interests in Singapore: While tourism is continually infesting ChinaTown, a cultural section of Singapore, with shops and street vendors offering a glimpse into the days of old, the Asian Civilizations Museum (a diverse cultural museum) is there to exhibit antiques like a ninth-century Buddha and a Chinese snuff box. For lovers of art and architecture, the Thian Hock Keng Temple (Historic Taoist temple near Singapore's waterfront) happens to be a "must watch" religious site. Another wonder is the unforgettable Singapore Art Museum, which, since its opening in 1996, offers an immense rotating collection of Singaporean and Malay sculpture and art. If you are a connoisseur of shopping and fine dining, there is Orchard Road, the ritzy shopping and dining area, often referred to as the "Park Avenue" of Singapore. For the lovers of spectacular underwater beauty, there is the Underwater World of Sentosa, showcasing the awe-inspiring beauty of a whole different world beneath the seas.

All said and done, the strategic location of Singapore, its cultural contrasts and diverse tourist attractions contribute to its success as a leading destination for both business and pleasure.

Slices of Singapore Life

It was a spur of the moment urge to just get out of Bangkok for a few days.

I had never been to Singapore, but I have friends that were born there and moved to the states when they were young.

I guess I was just curious and looking for a backup to living in Bangkok, Thailand.

Visa laws can change quickly and they have in Thailand, so I used that excuse to check out Singapore.

They're country motto translates to; Onward, Singapore.

Singapore is an island that's only about 270 square miles, which qualifies it as being the smallest country in Southeast Asia and it only has existed as an independent republic since 1965.

I chose to fly Cathay Pacific airlines, which is a Hong Kong based airline, not that it matters, but I thought I'd just mention it.

It's a short flight, so no matter which air carrier you choose, you can put up with any inconvenience or discomfort for a couple of hours.

Including all the taxes and fees, my coach ticket cost 20,835 Thai baht, which translates to about $675.

The first thing I noticed once I stepped outside the airport terminal was how clean the city was, I mean, it's very clean. No litter, no gum, no cigarette butts. Clean, with a capital "C" and you get the sense that the people are proud of that fact.

If you need a phone card, Green is a big name there (it's a local prepaid SIM card company) and it's cheap and easy to slip into your phone.

Arriving in a city that has a mass transit system in place that can get you around quickly is always a plus. I boarded the green line (the other two are the red and purple lines) at the Singapore Changi Airport and it was just about 30 minutes or so (about 20 minutes by car) and I was checking into the Marina Mandarin hotel.

The Marina Mandarin hotel is a 5 star hotel that just underwent a major renovation. It has a great lobby with live entertainment that is quite eloquent.

The hotel is located across the street from the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre and the Esplanade. The Esplanade is the new Performing Arts Centre in Singapore.

It's difficult to imagine that this metropolis was once just a sleepy little fishing village that grew to be a seaport and what it is today; a great city to visit.

You get a clear view of the high-rise buildings that define Singapore's financial and business district. From the hotel, you could walk to the heart of the financial district in about 10 minutes.

I almost felt like I was on a movie set, because there was not a lot of activity on the streets. It was sort of an episode of the Twilight Zone, where the characters enter a city, but there's no activity.

Think of the city as having a relaxed elegance. You know there's money there, but it is low key. I came to call the city, Singa-rich, rather than Singapore because unlike Bangkok, it wasn't a cheap place to stay, eat, or shop.

Thirty-five dollars for a haircut trim seemed a little high for me, and I did go to 4 different salons. Common items were high-priced, but the norm for Singapore.

You can get a good grasp of the city and country, which both bare the same name, by picking up a copy of the English language newspaper; International Herald Tribune.

I passed on eating at the AquaMarine restaurant at the hotel and was disappointed at the Peach Blossoms (Chinese) restaurant, because I like great service and I felt like I was bothering the staff by being there, but I really enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service at the Italian restaurant on the 5th level of the hotel, called Ristorante Bologna.

If you're a jogger, the Marina Mandarin Singapore hotel is on Raffles Boulevard and a very short distance from the War Memorial Park. It's a very clean park and safe.

There are lots of hotels, but one thing that I have learned in my travels is to talk to as many locals as you can and get the scoop on the best places to go, eat, shop, and drink.

I took my own advice and found a fountain of knowledge from lots of friendly people.

I discovered from more than one person that the best sushi restaurant in the city was Tatsu. Tatsu is a simple and small sushi and Japanese restaurant, but it's a great place for lunch or dinner.

Maggie, the Managress (and I just love the word Managress for a woman) was so happy to answer my dozen questions and all the time wearing a smile.

Tatsu is at 30 Victoria Street and would not be considered to be a modest priced place to eat. You'll spend money, but the quality is worth it. Again, it's not a fancy place, but worth investigating.

If you're not the sushi type of patron, don't worry, there's a Morton's of Chicago Steakhouse at the Oriental hotel on Raffles Avenue.

If you favor Indian food, take the purple MRT line to Little India and do some shopping while you're there. There's a Sikh Temple and a very large central market with all kinds of interesting foods and spices. It will wake your nose up.

You have to try the Lassi. It's a yogurt-based drink that is flavored with fruit and very refreshing and I kinda had an addiction to the strawberry flavored Lassi.

The scents of Little India can be charming too, like the fragrance of jasmine and marigolds from Campbell lane. You can spend a whole day in Little India just walking around shopping, eating, and taking photos.

Across the canal from Little India, is an area called Kampong Glam and for the shopaholics, some of the bargain areas are open until 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning. It's best to go during the week.

The area is named after the trees that once dominated the area; the gelam trees.

What was really fascinating about Kampong Glam was what I would call, the ideal world.

All in the same neighborhood, there's a Christian church, a Chinese temple, a Hindu temple, and an Islamic mosque and all of them in harmony along with the people who worship there respectively.

It just made me think that we really can all get along on this planet, if we want to.

Many of the streets are named after Middle Eastern cities.

I met a couple of young ladies at an open air shopping center and after the usual chit-chat, I asked about working in Singapore and the reply was, "Good jobs not easy to find."

What she meant by that statement is that, you can find work, but it's difficult to find a high-paying job with a good company.

If you're making a visa run, there are dozens of hotels weaved around the many consulates in Singapore. The Thai consulate is almost directly across the street (Orchard Road) from the Hilton hotel.

There's definitely no shortage of hotels in Singapore, but like most major cities, the big names, get the big prices. My room at the Marina Mandarin was $300. per night all in and the mini-bar, which is really a cabinet, was very tempting.

Tax on most items is 7 percent and they round figures off, which a receipt will reflect as; ROUNDED AMT.

English is spoken all around the city, so it's easy to communicate your needs and your destinations.

Something that really caught my eye was the huge Ferris wheel in the Marina Bay area. It has been named the Singapore Flyer.

When I say the Singapore Flyer is huge, I mean it's really, really tall. It is 165 metres in height. It might be easier to imagine if I tell you it's about the height of a 45 story building.

It's already a landmark. There are 28 capsules that travel this circle of awe and each capsule is capable of holding 28 passengers.

The capsules are air conditioned and it takes 30 minutes to make the complete circle, giving the photo-buffs plenty of time to snap pictures of the landscape of not only Singapore, but of Malaysia and Indonesia in the distance.

This would be a great way to cap off a day with that special someone or a group of friends. Hire an in-capsule host and enjoy a glass of wine while taking in a sunset. It will give you a new perspective on the world.

There are group rates and corporate rates, along with special event rates. You could get married on the Singapore Flyer for a real memorable day.

Two other Ferris wheels are due to begin spinning soon. One will be in Dubai and the biggest one ever to be built, called the Beijing Great Wheel will take its turn in 2009.

On one of my MRT rides, I had a lengthy conversation with a middle-aged family man who painted a clear picture of what living in Singapore is like. He seemed a bit bitter about the government and after doing a little web surfing, I now fully understand his point of view.

He said that, "the government is like your father. He wants to do everything for you. He wants to make your decisions about what is right for you. He will give you enough so that you will not starve, but never enough so that you can save and breakaway someday."

After the man told me this, he asked if I understood what he meant and I acknowledged that I did. He wished that he could leave Singapore, but he said that just wasn't a possibility anytime soon.

I found it to be an interesting point of view.

My conclusion was that the country is made up of two parts; Singapore and Singa-rich.

Singapore has been scratched off my list of backups to Bangkok, Thailand, but it's a very nice country to visit and spend money.

If you haven't traveled outside of your native country, I would strongly suggest that you do. The rewards of culture, food, architecture, and people help to make you appreciate how complex this spinning rock in space really is.

Slices of Life Singapore

It 'was a spur of the moment just wanted to get out of Bangkok for a few days.

I've never been to Singapore, but I have friends who were born there and moved to the United States when they were young.

I think I was just curious and looking for a backup in Bangkok, Thailand to live.

Visa laws can change quickly, and have in Thailand, so I have to check this excuse, Singapore.

They have led the country motto, Onward, Singapore.

Singapore is an islandThis is only about 270 square kilometers, is considered the smallest country in Southeast Asia and has only been an independent republic since 1965.

I chose to fly Cathay Pacific Airlines low-cost, which is a relative of Hong Kong, which is not important, but I thought I'd mention it.

It's a short flight, so no matter which airline you choose, can not tolerate unpleasantness or pain for a few hours.

Including all taxes and duties, mybus ticket will cost 20 835 Thai Baht, that about $ 675.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped outside the airport terminal, was how clean the city, I mean, it was very clean. No waste, no gum, no cigarette butts. Clean, with a capital "C" and you have the feeling that people are proud of this fact.

If you need a calling card, the green is a great name (it is a local prepaid SIM card company) and is inexpensive and easy to slip into your phone.

Arrival at aCity, a mass transit system in place that you can get everything at once added, is always a plus. I climbed the green line (the other two are red and purple lines) to Singapore Changi Airport, and only about 30 minutes or so (about 20 minutes by car) and I was checked at the Marina Mandarin Hotel.

The Marina Mandarin Hotel is a 5 star hotel that was just a great renewal. It has a large hall with live music, which is quite eloquent.

The hotel is locatedon the opposite side of the road from Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre and the Esplanade. The Esplanade is the new Performing Arts Centre in Singapore.

It 'hard to imagine that this city was once just a sleepy fishing village that grew into a port and what it is today to visit a big city.

You can get a clear view of the skyscrapers that financial and commercial center in Singapore to be defined. From here you can walk to the heart of the financialDistrict in about 10 minutes.

I almost felt like a movie set was because there was not much activity on the streets. It was sort of an episode of the Twilight Zone, in which the characters enter a city, but there is no activity.

Thinking about the city as a relaxed elegance. You know that there is no money, but it's low key. I came to the city to call Singapore-rich, rather than Singapore because, unlike Bangkok, it was not a cheap place to stay, eat or shop.

Thirty-five dollarscut for a haircut seemed a bit 'up to me, and I have to go to 4 different salons. Common positions were very convenient, but the standard for Singapore.

You can have a good overview of the city and the country is bare the same name as a copy of the newspaper in English, International Herald Tribune.

I went to dinner at the Aqua Marina Restaurant at the hotel and it was a peach blossom (Chinese) Restaurant disappointed, because I like good service, and I felt like I wasinterfere with the employees there, but I really liked the atmosphere, food and service in the Italian restaurant, the hotel's fifth floor restaurant called Bologna.

If you're a jogger, the Marina Mandarin Hotel Singapore Raffles Boulevard and on a very short distance from the War Memorial Park is a park is very clean and safe.

There are many hotels, but one thing I learned in my travels is to talk about how many people there and how you can get the scoop on the bestPlaces to go, eat, shop and drink.

I took my own advice and found a source of knowledge by many friends.

I found more than one person, who was the best sushi restaurant in the city of Tatsu. Tatsu is a simple restaurant and a small sushi and Japanese, but it's a great place for lunch or dinner.

Maggie, who Managress (Managress and I like the word for a woman) was so happy, my questions and respond to tens of all time to bring a smile.

Tatsu is on30 Victoria Street, and would not be eaten as a site of modest price. They spend money, but the quality is worth it. Again, not a fancy place, but it is worth investigating.

If you're not the type of sushi patron, do not worry, there's a Morton's Steakhouse in Chicago at the Oriental Hotel Raffles Avenue.

Are you in favor of Indian cuisine, take the purple line in Little India MRT and shop while you're there. There is a Sikh temple and a large central marketwith all kinds of interesting foods and spices. He wakes up his nose.

You must try the lassi. It is a yogurt drink that had fruit and very refreshing and I am somehow addicted to the taste of strawberry flavored lassi.

The smells of Little India is fascinating, as the scent of jasmine and marigolds of Campbell Lane. You can spend a whole day in Little India, within walking around shopping, food, and photography.

Above the channel of LittleIndia is an area called Kampong Glam and the shoppers are some of the open trade, 3 or 4 clock in the morning. It 'better to go during the week.

gelam the trees, the area under the trees, which once called the area.

What was really fascinating, Kampong Glam was, what I would call the ideal world.

All in the same neighborhood, there is a Christian church, a Chinese temple, a Hindu temple and an Islamic mosque, and all in harmonytogether with the locals worship, respectively.

It 's just made me think that really move forward together on this planet, if you will.

Many of the streets are named after the cities of the Middle East.

I met a few young ladies in an outdoor mall, and after the usual chatter, I asked to work in Singapore and the answer was. "Good work is not easy to find"

What he meant, this statement is that finding a job, but it's hard to findwell-paid job with a good company.

If you make a travel visa, there are dozens of hotels all over the fabric several consulates in Singapore. The Thai consulate is almost directly across the street (Orchard Road) from 'Hotel Hilton.

There is certainly no shortage of hotels in Singapore, but like most big cities, get great names, great prices. My room at the Marina Mandarin was $ 300. per night in all the mini-bar, this is really a minister, was veryattractive.

Tax on most items is 7 percent, and complete the numbers reflect a receipt as it is, AMT rounded.

English is spoken everywhere in the city, making it easier to communicate your needs and your goals.

Something that was really my mind was the Ferris wheel at Marina Bay. E 'was named the Singapore Flyer.

When I say, the Singapore Flyer is huge, I mean, really, really great. It is 165 meters. It might be easier to imagine ifI tell you, it's about the height of a building of 45 floors.

It 'a milestone. There are 28 capsules to travel in this circle of fear and each capsule is capable of 28 passengers.

The capsules are equipped with air conditioning and it takes 30 minutes to form a full circle for the photo-lovers plenty of time to take snapshots of the landscape not only Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, but in the distance.

This would be a great way to cap a day in particular with thesomeone or a group of friends. Hire a host-capsule and a glass of wine while taking a sunset. It will give you a new perspective on the world.

There are special rates for group and corporate rates, rates for special events. You could get married on the Singapore Flyer for a day of truly memorable.

Two other wheels are due to start soon spinning Ferris. It will be in Dubai and the largest ever built, called the Beijing Great Wheel, in turn, in 2009.

Onone of my MRT ride, I had a long conversation with a middle-aged family man who painted a clear picture of what life was like in Singapore. It seemed a bit 'disappointed the government, and after a while' surfing the Internet, now fully understand his point of view.

He said: "The government is like your father. Will do anything for you. He wants your decisions about what is the right thing to do for you. He will give you enough to not starve, but never enough so thatsaves time and separately. "

After the man told me this, I asked if I knew what it meant and I realized that I did. He wanted to leave Singapore, but said that just is not possible anytime soon.

I found it to be an interesting spectacle.

My conclusion was that the country is in two parts, Singapore and Singapore-rich.

Singapore has been scratched from my list of backups in Bangkok, Thailand, but it is a very beautiful country,Visit and spend money.

If you have not traveled outside the home, advise me to do. Premiums for help, food culture, architecture and people to help you understand how complex this rock spinning in space really is.