Singapore is an easy city to live and get around in. The first impression you get when you land is the beautiful and efficient international airport. From the airport you have the option of taking a taxi or the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system to almost anywhere on the island. It is interesting to note that just less than a century ago, Singapore was mainly a fishing center with only a deep water trading port as its main asset. Today, the people of Singapore are definitely its main asset. Under the guidance of a graft free, progressive and enlightened government, the island has been transformed into a social, cultural, technological and economic hub that begs emulation.
Most Singaporeans own their own homes, thanks to the Central Provident Fund, a system of compulsory work savings (with a shared employer contribution) that allows every working individual to amass a sizable retirement savings that they can draw upon before retirement to finance a home purchase. The facilities around the island, from the cheap and efficient transport systems to the cultural parks, educational centers, gardens, and well designed and marked walking hiking trails are all designed for a people that has learned to value and maintain a healthy and satisfying standard of personal and community well being.
Singapore is a cosmopolitan city with an ethnic mix of Chinese, Indians, Malays and peoples of mixed ethnicity, the product of many interracial marriages. In planning housing for the city, the government was careful to ensure racial integration that has allowed younger generations to grow up in a truly multi-racial environment. It is very common to witness racially mixed groups enjoying a meal together at the many restaurants we visited. There is also an expatriate community of foreigners, some who have permanent residence and call Singapore home. There are other expatriates who work for the many multi-national organizations that choose to base their Asian operations in Singapore.
From our homestay base in Holland Village, we had ready MRT access to the city. We purchased MRT passes with a USD 10 credit and after four days of daily use still had a few dollars credit left over. There is really no need to rent a car in Singapore.
There are many well planned and safe walking trails across the island. The impression one gets is that everything planned and built in Singapore is done with the needs of the populace in mind.
The following photographs are just a personal sampling and do not do justice to the full appeal of the city.
Educhirp 