Singapore Tries Fun

I visited Singapore a few years ago, and while I found the city to be lovely and clean… fun wasn’t a word I would use to describe the vibe of the city.  A recent article in Conde Nast Traveler caught my eye since it said that Singapore has been trying to change its image into a fun, vibrant city.

After years of threats not to chew gum and the government mandating the length of your hair – the city is loosening up.

According to the article, the old British army barracks of Rochester Park has now become a high tech district called One North.  The Convent of the Holy Jesus (a colonial era all-girls school) is now a complex of chic restaurants where the trendy love to dine.  A few years ago, Cosmopolitan magazine and the iconic television show Sex and the City were banned, and today tabletop dancing and bungee jumping are legal in the city.  In a matter of blocks you’ll find Starbucks, karaoke bars, fusion restaurants, corporate empowerment services and of course, Buddhist temples, and Methodist churches.  Definitely signs that times are changing!

Those in power felt that the city needed to preserve its Asian values yet open up to the global culture.  I look forward to going back and seeing the changes for myself. 

The city of 4 million is so compact that it is easy to navigate and explore the city in just two or three days.  Unless of course, you want to spend copious amounts of time shopping in the high end malls.  A friend of mine booked Virgin Vacations Singapore At Its Best package, which gave her five days in the city and included a half day sightseeing tour.  She said it was the perfect amount of time to explore the city and see all the sights.  I just might have to book that package too!

Posted by on 12/07 at 12:33 PM

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