Laser Show At The Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Singapore, of the smallest State Südostasiens, has about 5 million inhabitants and offers a very high standard of living. We decided to insert here a little trip break. After we were almost 7 months on the road, did us well for a long time once again to have a permanent home and not have to pack our bags every few days. Also had the opportunity arise for me for a few weeks to work in Singapore.

It is said “Singapore is a fine city”. This means not only, that it is a beautiful city, but also that there can be heavy penalties, if one violates the laws of the island state. Immediately upon our arrival prohibition signs with fairly high penalties, we noticed. For example, cost eating or drinking in the car 500 Singapore dollars, These are ca. 300 €. For cycling on the pavement, you pay 1000 Singapore Dollar. By high fines would like to keep the city clean, which succeeds very well. Several years ago, even chewing gums were banned from the shops, d.h. nowhere you can buy chewing gum in Singapore.
We have also heard of, the following remarkable features: Men get a Spanking, when they exceed the visa. Homosexuality between men is punishable. There is also something done successfully against the proliferation of mosquitoes and thus prevent the spread of diseases such as dengue fever and malaria. For example, many hang posters with instructions for the control of dengue mosquitoes in the streets. The standing of stagnant water is therefore also punishable.

Singapore is a multi-cultural and multi-national city. More than three-quarters of the population are Chinese, Also, many Indians living here, Malays and people from the western countries.
Can be found in many old Singapore, original building, as the small and colorful painted houses in the Arab neighborhood “Kampong Glam”, in “Little India” and in “Chinatown”. Here you can also see many people in their traditional dress, especially the Indian women in colorful saris were always pretty.
But is known primarily Singapore's modern and futuristic architecture. On one side of Marina Bay skyscrapers dominate the picture, on the other side forms the bridge Helix, the largest observation wheel in the world (the “Singapore Flyer”) and a stunning hotel “Marina Bay Sands” a fascinating setting.

We have in Choa Chu Kang district shared an apartment with her son Shi Jing and Wei Xiao us in the West of Singapore. The apartment belongs Rainer, a German, and his Chinese wife Jing. But they live in China and America. Shi Jing is the sister of the two. She lives here, so that Xiao Wei can do in Singapore's education. Since Shi Jing's English was not so good, Xiao Wei had from time to translate, we used a translator. But mostly we agreed with hands and feet, which worked very well and was often very funny.

After Sino-Buddhist tradition of August, the month was “Hungry ghosts” (of 7. Month of the Chinese lunar calendar). The belief is, that the spirits of deceased relatives come back home hungry. To welcome them food and drink will be served by it introduces the houses. In addition, so-called "hell money" burned in fire tons. The barrel was placed anywhere outside the houses and the sidewalks. We could also observe, as some people have put and prayed before the houses incense and candles in the ground.

This year we could not for the Swiss National Day on 1. Be there August, but for the Singapore National Day 9. August. With the national independence of Malaysia in 1965 is celebrated. Especially around Marina Bay was a lot going on. Highlights included a military parade and a huge fireworks.
In addition, we were at the Singapore Night Festival. Rings um das Nationalmuseum waren einige Bühnen aufgebaut, there were several bands played and light shows instead. We looked at the National Museum some artists and their acrobatic performances at.
Since I was working the week, whiled away the time with Nicole Cook, float, Visits to museums and other city tours.

There was also a reunion with Britney. Together we spent a nice weekend with sightseeing, talk a lot, Drink coffee, eating and smoking shisha.

On our last weekend in Singapore, we also experienced a little nightlife. Around the Clarke Quay, there are plenty of bars, Restaurants, Clubs and discos. Together with my colleagues, it was late at night in a disco and also the next morning back to bed. It was a very nice evening and again we have met nice people.
Our farewell dinner on Saturday we spent again at Marina Bay and had a delicious meal at Bootkai. Sonntag morgen verabschiedeten wir uns von Shi Jing und dann ging es zum Flughafen und zu unserem nächsten Ziel Bali…