"The Lion City" a Singapore Travel Page by Hewer

Singapore, unconditionally, is my favourite city. I have visited the island state several times and I just still can`t get enough. The atmosphere in the city, the cultural diversity and the endless shopping opportunities all make Singapore a memorable destination.

It`s hard to believe that just under four million people can fit into a relatively small space, live in harmony, reach an ultra-modern level of development and yet maintain a verdant, in some places untouched natural environment. Singapore has achieved what very few cities have done to this point.

Six languages are spoken in Singapore by at least five percent of the population. Very few countries can match this and not be subject to violence and other social problems.

Everybody in Singapore speaks English. English is the language of instruction in school, TV news is broadcast in English and street signs and product labelling is in English. English is the great linguistic unifier of the country.

The Singapore government pays its teachers more than any other country does their own. This country has placed an emphasis on education and has reaped the rewards!

Singapore has some of the best shopping in the world. Put simply, you can find anything from a matchbox to an elephant. Shopping center design takes on a new level here, with air-conditioned, multi-level super-malls the order of the day. Not for some admittedly but I`ll take it!

Everyone knows about the fines. Fines for spitting, fines for chewing gum, fines for not flushing etc. Things are changing now - table top dancing was recently `allowed` once again and there is talk of chewing gum being allowed back in. The crime rate is still extraordinarily low. Very safe place at any time of the night or day....