20.02.2008

Singapore

Although my flight from Phuket to Singapore was at 9am in the morning, I could find hardly sleep the night before. I checked in and took a glance at the boarding card. Boarding was on 8.30, so there was still one hour to go and I went to an Internet cafe. After writing some mails and postcards, I finally recognized the little sentence on the card: please board before 8.30 otherwise you may not be accepted for travel. So it was some 8.20, more or less ten minutes to go. Never the less, I said to myself we are still in Asia, so they won’t be that strict and relaxed a bit. Then I had still to pass the immigration. And shit there was a crowd, I finally convinced a German family to let me skip the queue and there was still time for the mandatory duty free shopping.

Singapore is much developed, clean, pretty well organized. It should be from an urban point of view the Benchmark of Asia. The port of Singapore is a major point in its economical success, as it is strategically situated in Asia. The port and the recently the airport, which attracts freight and passengers, is the prime government instrument to help Singapore become an international player.




Furthermore there are no tensions between the inhabitants or social groups who are mainly 75% Chinese, 7% Indian, some 15% Malaysians and other minorities. You will find English, Tamil, Chinese, Hindi spoken there. Even though many residents say they don't like the fact that it is so organized, a guy on the plane told me. He was looking for a more adventures place to stay, so he choose Bangkok.


Besides some sightseeing I attended a chicken parade held on Saturday to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Interesting was my Chinese horoscope. I was born in the year of the rooster, and according to this the upcoming year of the rat will be a lucky one for me. "Rooster will enjoy great prosperity... will experience good fortune ... it will be a hectic and stressful year as well. And finally they might just find their perfect match this year. BUT men should refrain from alcohol and womanizing. hhm ...

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