Exotic Singapore

The island city/nation of Singapore's name literally means 'Lion City'. It is a modern nation which features tall skyscrapers and a huge manufacturing district.

The country is a wonderful mix of modern society and the traditional Chinese culture even though many of its historic buildings were destroyed in WWII.

Singapore is a popular travel destination with over 10 million visitors a year making tourism one of Singapore's larger industries. The well-known Orchard Road shopping district a popular tourist stop. The government has legalised gambling and two casino have opened. Food is one of the best attractions found in Singapore. These foods are happily offered from various street vendors and restaurants at all hours around the clock. You can try the local favorites or if you desire you can locate a café that caters to Westerners. Singaporean cuisine is an example of cultural diffusion and diversity in Singapore, with a fusion of Chinese, Indian, Malay and Tamil influences. Cuisine has also been heavily promoted as an attraction for tourists, with a Singapore Food Festival in July of each year.

Singapore is also a a medical tourism hub — about 200,000 foreigners seek high quality, low cost medical care in the country each year.

Uniquely, Singapore is one of the few countries in the world which has no interior fresh water supply at all. The island instead purchases its water from other nearby countries or uses rainwater that has been treated for its water supply.

The climate of Singapore is tropical with rains that occur on a daily basis. You should not let the rains hamper your travels however since most of the storms are very short lived and sunshine prevails in only a short period of time. The heaviest rains occur in the winter months which are when the monsoon rains come to the Southeastern Asian countries.

Singapore is very hot and humid and you should use sunscreen or carry an umbrella to protect yourself from the both the sun and the rains. Luckily, there are many indoors activities available in the Singapore area including shopping and dining centers.

Singapore offers a wide variety of ethnic people, diverse religions and even varied national holidays that reflect these diverse people’s cultures and values. The Lunar New Year is perhaps the most celebrated holiday of each year particularly enjoyable in the larger cities of the nation.

Singapore is one of the strictest nations about the importation of goods through customs and has restrictions about small items such as chewing gum to a strict death penalty if you import drugs into the country. Some media such as magazines and movies may also be subject to seizure. Other than the strict customs requirements of Singapore you should experience very little trouble entering the country. You can easily choose a fourteen day stay although United States citizens can be allowed up to a ninety day stay at a time.

Here you can experience all the traditional activities usually associated with an island in the city of Singapore including snorkeling and diving. You may decide to take one of the guided tours of the city since they are offered several times a day from various locations within the city.

Most of the people in Singapore understand English so you will be able to find your way around the country fairly easily particularly if you are in a tourist area of the city.

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