Life in the Tropics

by Leigh K Cunningham
in Life in Singapore
28 Sep 2009 | 10 Comments

I have lived in Singapore for five years now, and remain a staunch promoter of my country of residence. I love most everything about Singapore, including, but not limited to:

the weather;
the lush greenery everywhere;
it's neat and tidy;
there's peace and harmony amongst multiple races, religions, and nationalities;
people are civilized and respectful;
it's safe;
it's easy, inexpensive and super fast to get anywhere you want on a clean, safe and graffiti-free MRT system;
there's a brilliant system for queuing, including queues for queues, and queue officials;
shops are open from 10am until 10pm at least - until midnight some nights - and also open Christmas Day so no more panic shopping Christmas Eve;
it's a city that never sleeps - life is always 'happening'. People have supper at our local hawker centre (Newton Circus) at 2am, and you can walk the streets at any time of night, safely;
it has the fastest, most efficient airport arrival/departure processing in the world. I can disembark then be sitting in a taxi within 7 minutes, which is a blessing after a long flight;
it's a foodies paradise;
it's stunningly beautiful.

While the above list is not conclusive, nor in any particular order, the weather is a major positive for me. As you probably know, Singapore is just above the equator so there is no significant change in temperature from season to season. Some find the heat and humidity debilitating, but I find it invigorating, and it facilitiates an outdoor lifestyle all year round.

Have you been to Singapore? And if so, what were the highlights for you (and lowlights I suppose, if there are any).

Regards
Leigh

PS: see photos of the 2009 Singapore F1 Grand Prix, or have a lesson or two in Singlish.

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Comments (10)

If you don't like the heat, the best time to visit Singapore is November to mid-March during the Northeast monsoon - this doesn't mean it rains all day every day - it does rain daily but mostly it comes down in short heavy bursts and goes quickly away, but other times the rain lasts for longer periods. At least it's wet and not cold.

30 Sep 2009, Leigh K Cunningham

Hi Leigh

I love your Singapore photos. I have only been to Singapore via a stopover to Europe and the humidity was so stiffling I needed to get back into the airconditioning. Don't think I could live there but it looks beautiful.

29 Sep 2009, Monika, www.absolutelyvirtual.com.au

I spent my childhood in S'pore so view it all v.nostalgically. went to school at what is now CHIJMES and my father worked in City Hall for around 10 years so it was weird to see the cars whizzing past. Gave me an insight into time-slip books!

28 Sep 2009, Bernardine Kennedy, www.bernardinekennedy.com

Didnt realise you were a fellow blogger ! Love your photos Singapore is certainly beautiful.

Will enjoy catching up on your posts x

28 Sep 2009, Wildernesschic, Twitter

The Singapore government should hire you as an ambassador! You paint an enticing picture. It's such an exotic location but out of the way a bit for us in the US.

28 Sep 2009, Lucy Wilson-Browne

Was expecting your GP pictures to be of speeding cars and hunky drivers. I enjoyed the images of Singapore. It's very pretty, although would have liked some hunky driver photos in there.

28 Sep 2009, Kat Walsh

Sitting at airport on way back to Aus after GP. It's a great event (although race was not so good this year). Great atmosphere, food and entertainment. It's not the usual F1 crowd in Singapore - more 'event' kind of people rather than die-hard race fans. Well that's my impression.

28 Sep 2009, Todd Jaynes

I'm a Brit living in Singapore. It's hot, but what a cool place! I love it here too Leigh and I'm in no hurry to go back to an English winter.

28 Sep 2009, Cynthia Crowley

I lived in Singas for 2 years (from UK) - the humidity is probably why shopping is the most popular sport, and why there are so many shopping centres! Great place to live anyway. Would love to get back there.

28 Sep 2009, Scott Taylor

I stopped over in Singapore on my way to Europe, and it was very hot and humid - I suppose you would get used to it after a while?

28 Sep 2009, Debbie Vaughan, New Zealand

Life in the Tropics

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