Spotlight on Singapore! 🇸🇬
August 9th is National Day in Singapore, the day this former British colony and state of Malaysia finally gained full independence in 1965, officially becoming the Republic of Singapore.
Here at Shoot My Travel we have close to a dozen amazing photographers based on this incredible island state, which also happens to be one of our top destinations. And with the theme of this year’s National Day being, “Together A Stronger Singapore,” we wanted to take a moment to stand together with our Singaporean photographers and clients. (Listen to the National Day theme song composed for this year: Everything I Am)
So let’s get to know this die die must try destination! (And learn a little Singlish while we’re at it!)
Welcome to one of the last city-states
Located at the tip of Malaysia and first settled by mainland Malaysian migrants, this small island became a British trading post in 1819 and the crossroads of Asia. Today it is independent and one of the last three city-states in the world, Monaco and the Vatican City being the other two.
At only 278 square miles, nothing is more than an hour away from the central business district which is complimented by the sleek skyscrapers, spectacular “Supertrees,” and “Super Flyer” ferris wheel of the adjacent Marina Bay, popular with visitors and locals alike.
Marina Bay, built on reclaimed land from the sea, is just one example of the work being done by innovative architects and builders in Singapore. Imagine a hotel that is a lush multi-tiered garden, a housing development resembling blocks stacked playfully atop one another, and a museum blossoming like lotus flower, and you’ll start to get the idea.
Photo by Shoot My Travel
Meet the Merlion
The Merlion, a creature with the head of a lion and body of a fish, has become the national symbol of Singapore. But what is it and why does a 30 foot statue of it spouting water from its mouth stand overlooking Marina Bay?
Even though Singapore is one of the four “Asian Tigers,” as the four high-growth economies of the area (Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan) are called, it’s name, Singapura, actually means “Lion City” in Sanskrit. Once called Temasek, it received its new name in the 14th century when a Sumatran Prince, Sang Nila Utama, thought he saw a lion-like creature roaming the island. (Ironically, the consensus is that he probably saw a tiger.) The fish body symbolizes Singapore’s early beginning as a fishing village.
Consider an early morning photoshoot with the Merlion when you finally visit Singapore!
Not one island...64 islands
We’ve mentioned that Singapore is an island, but that’s not entirely accurate. It’s actually 64 islands! Most are uninhabited, but a few are home to interesting villages and diversions.
Sentosa to the south is packed with beaches, theme parks, and resorts, as well as a restored World War II fort. Take a cable car high above tree tops and turquoise waters to get there.
Reach Pulau Ubin to the east by “bumboat,” or water taxi, and travel back in time. You’ll be immersed in quiet beaches, mangroves, and wildlife, along with the fading kampong way of life, denoted by wood houses built on stilts over the water, no electricity or water, and a slower pace of life.
One of the greenest cities (what…?)
Despite being one of the most densely populated cities in the world, 50% of Singapore is under green cover!
How is that even possible?
The year round tropical climate of Singapore certainly helps. Then, those clever urban developers designed housing complexes that not only encourage the cooling breezes to flow through the tropical city, but preserved and highlighted their cherished green spaces.
The city-state is covered with nature and wildlife reserves, city parks and bird parks, waterfalls and cloud forests! See some of these amazing green spaces by exploring the links below:
A jewel of multiculturalism
While Singapore may be small, there are a lot of people packed into its borders and it has become a shining example of multiculturalism. This is not a melting pot, but a country where groups are encouraged to preserve their cultural identities through traditions, foods, religion, etc.
Visit the Asian Civilization Museum and National Museum to gain an understanding of this country's many cultural heritages and how it truly is an intersection of Asian cultures. Or explore the many different neighborhoods, like Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam, the Malay-Muslim quarter, to see beautiful temples, try authentic foods, and immerse yourself in different cultures without ever leaving the city!
A national obsession
There is a debate as to whether the national obsession in Singapore is shopping or food. We don’t think they should have to choose!
Shopping is definitely an immersive experience here, with everything from department stores and high-end shopping on Orchard Road to boutiques on Haji Lane to bargain-hunting in Bugis Street Market. The Mustafa Center is open 24 hours a day and rumor has it you can find anything you would ever need here. Challenge accepted!
As for food, with its many different cultures, it’s no surprise that Singapore is a culinary hotspot, with each of its neighborhoods each offering unique delicacies. Get bagels in Tanjong Pagar, cafe-hop in Jalan Besar, try “chicken rice” in Redhill, and indulge in stir-fried rice noodles in Tiong Bahru. In Singapore you can have everything from upscale dining at Boat & Clarke Quays to authentic makan experiences at hawkers centers, or food courts, in every neighborhood. July is typically the Singapore Food Festival but this year anyone can attend virtually the whole month of August.
While this small city-state is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, thanks to building itself into a major manufacturing and financial center, that doesn’t mean it has to be an expensive city to visit. Luxury experiences are definitely available, but the city can also be budget-friendly if you know where to look. Stroll the neighborhoods, explore green spaces, use the super efficient and affordable public transportation, and dine at the eclectic hawkers centers.
The unofficial language
There are four official languages in Singapore: English, Chinese, Tamil and Malay. Malay is the national language and, many visitors will be happy to know, English is commonly spoken, especially in business.
However, there is an unofficial fifth language: Singlish. It is found in the way Singaporeans add “lah” and “leh” and other endings to their English sentences for certain emphasis. And how they refer to elderly strangers as “Aunties” and “Uncles” out of affection and respect.
So while it’s helpful to learn a few words of Malay or Mandarin for your visit, you’ll definitely want to familiarize yourself with some Singlish, which you’re sure to hear! We’ve made a list to get you started, and Google will help you find more. (Note: spellings can vary!)
Chope - reserve, as in “chope a table”
Walau - an expression of surprise, like “oh my god!”
Shiok - to express delight, especially around food, as in “this restaurant is shiok!”
Makan - eat, as in “let’s makan!”
Die die must try - something is amazing and you have to try it
Kopi - coffee
Teh - tea
Paiseh - sorry, especially after making an embarrassing mistake
Dabao - takeaway, as in “I’d like to dabao some noodles”
Travel to Singapore with us
Can you see why National Day is such a big deal? There’s a lot to celebrate about this small city-state and there’s a lot of reasons to want to visit. Which is why we want to go right now!
But if that’s not possible, we can all “travel” to Singapore without leaving home.
Try your hand at cooking some Singaporean cuisine, then curl up for a film from the country, like the award-winning Ilo Ilo (available on Vimeo), Singapore Dreaming (on YouTube), or Pop Aye (a Singaporean-Thai film currently on Amazon Prime). Or read a book like, Singapore Noir, An Ocean of Minutes, or Crazy Rich Asians.
To see Singapore at its glamorous, check out the city’s 2020 New Year drone light display and fireworks over Marina Bay. Or watch those superhuman Formula 1 drivers negotiate the Marina Bay Street Circuit in the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix. (Singapore was the first country to introduce a night race to Formula 1.)