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 Conveniently linked by a kilometre-long causeway to
the southern tip of Malaysia, the tiny city-state of Singapore (just
580 square kilometres) makes a gentle gateway for many first-time
travellers to Asia, providing Western standards of comfort and hygiene
alongside traditional Chinese, Malay and Indian enclaves. Its downtown
areas are dense with towering skyscrapers and gleaming shopping malls,
yet the island retains an abundance of nature reserves and lush,
tropical greenery.
Singapore is a wealthy nation compared to the rest of Southeast
Asia, with an average per capita income of over US$15,000. At the
core of this success story is an unwritten bargain between Singapore's
paternalistic government and acquiescent population, which stipulates
the loss of a certain amount of personal freedom, in return for
levels of affluence and comfort that would have seemed unimaginable
thirty years ago. Outsiders often bridle at this, and it's true
that some of the regulations can seem extreme: neglecting to flush
a public toilet, jaywalking, chewing gum and eating on the subway
all carry sizeable fines. Yet the upshot is that Singapore is a
clean, safe place to visit, its amenities are second to none and
its public places are smoke-free and hygienic. |
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