SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE MARCH 18, 2008
Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore is an island city-state, located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 85 miles north of the Equator.
The name Singapore was derived from the Malay words singa (lion) and pura (city). The city-state has a current population of 4.5 million and is working to max at 6 million. Citizenship is difficult to obtain for immigrants, but the government is paying significant incentives for families to grow: S$3000 for first child, S$8000 for second up to S$18,000 for the fourth.
In 1819 Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in the Sumatran trading center and claimed it for the British. Under his insightful plan and forward thinking guidance the harbor, strategic position and free port status fueled rapid growth. A remarkable man created this amazing city. Another amazing man was Lee Kuan Yew, first Prime Minister of Singapore, who stepped down from his post in 1990. His guidance unquestionably created an economic marvel from a chaotic post WWII colonial state. Singapore’s laws are tough but clear. Jaywalkers, litterers, and gum chewing are fined on the spot. Drug dealers receive the death penalty. There is no denying the system’s icy effectiveness.
We photographed the Merlion (derived from the name of the country) from the a sampan in the Singapore river.
Visiting the Botanical Gardens we were amazed at the beautiful orchids. The national flower of Singapore is the orchid. We took so many pictures but include just a couple.
On to the Raffles Hotel for high tea in the Tiffin Room. We were greeted by Nasaraj the doorman who reminded us of Punjab. This international landmark and splendid hotel of 103 suites that Somerset Maugham once said of it “the legendary symbol for all the fables of the Exotic East”.
