Singapore: City-state as airport

Singapore, half-way between India and China, was purpose-built for stopping over. By Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles (after whom all the roads are named), and by Lee Kuan Yew (he of the chewing gum fines).

Hannah films on Orchard Road

Changi airport, consistently voted the world’s best by business travel magazines, is pioneer of such amenities as the terminal swimming pool (with views of the planes). It actually offers model itineraries for those spending a few hours waiting for a flight. Singapore Airlines gives you little vouchers to go out on the town if your wait is longer than a day. Going back to Heathrow now will be like rediscovering childhood TV and finding it was crap all along.

In fact, ignoring the heat (which we’re beginning to be able to do) the whole island is a little like an airport terminal – clean and well-signposted and tastefully dotted with tropical palms. And not a good place to bring drugs.

Like an airport, the shopping is amazing, so long as you’ve money to spend. In Hong Kong the offices were the most impressive buildings. In China it was the state-owned enterprises. In Singapore it’s the shops.

Sipping dollars at the Long Bar

Like an airport, the food and drink concessions are expensive – our touristy drinks in Raffles Hotel (we flew Qantas, so no vouchers for us) were about the price of a full meal in the UK, and our food in a hawkers’ market afterwards, sitting outside on plastic chairs, could probably buy a second hand car.

Our hostel, ‘The Hangout‘ is magnificent and unlike any backpacker’s haunt I’ve known – with gorgeous views from its little roof garden and a hotel-like atmosphere. It’s so expensive, though, that once our filming and interviewing is over we’ll move straight on.

So, farewell to Singapore. It’s been nice to spend a few days in a place where everything works, but my, we’ve paid for the privilege. And I could never quite get used to crossing the road in a hurry, out of fear of the jaywalking fines.

- Tom

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