8 Things to Do in
Roaring Singapore
By Michael David C. Tan
IMAGES COURTESY OF SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD

4. Eat, eat, and eat some more.
Right beside the now famous Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay (yes, that building mimicking a fly’s eyes) is a hawker food paradise that sells, among others, grilled sting ray.  Well, yes, they are actually an endangered species (illegal to catch, much more eat, in the Philippines), but a bite can be fatal – not to the diner, of course, but to the creatures dubbed as the winged demons of the seas, because they can be addicting (and sells only from S$6), especially when paired with an ice-cold drink of Tiger beer (Singapore’s beer), or, as described by visiting Deb Gutierrez, the “soap-tasting” bandung, a concoction of rose syrup with milk.
But true to STB’s definition of Singapore as a place offering a “melange of flavors from around the globe,” other must visit for gastronomical experiences include the Boat Quay, one of the best spots in Singapore for alfresco dining, with its chic cafés, high-end restaurants, yuppie pubs, and designer galleries; the CHIJMES, formerly a convent, but is now Singapore’s premier wine and dine destinations; and the East Coast, where the seaside crowd gather to enjoy the sea’s bounties.
Indeed, just as STB claims, dining in Singapore “is a tasty tale about a country’s unique cultural tapestry woven in with its distinct influences to capture the essence of Singapore’s multicultural heritage.

EVERYTHING FOR ALL From historical wonders to nature's bests, Singapore has a lot to offer.

5. Turn historic.
Though named Singa Pura (Lion City) as early as the 11th century by the visiting Prince Sang Nila Utama of the Sri Vijaya Empire (he saw an animal he mistook for a lion), Singapore is actually a young country, that only started to be developed by the British Empire during the 18th century, when it was seen as a “strategic halfway house to refit, feed and protect the fleet of their growing empire, as well as to forestall any advances by the Dutch in the region,” STB states.
And yet, the country’s somewhat fervent historical appreciation is surprising – and commendable, of course, so that even relatively new (not very “historical,” in the traditional sense) places, such as Johore Battery, a gun emplacement site consisting of a labyrinth of tunnels built by the British only in 1939 for the defence of Singapore, as well as the Bukit Chandu Memorial, which honors the 1,400 soldiers of the Malay Regiment which made their stand against 13,000 Japanese soldiers in 1942 are must-visits.
Perhaps nothing as impressive as, say, Vigan’s Spanish casas, lining cobblestone streets, or the City of Manila’s walled city of Intramuros, but other Singaporean historical attractions worth checking include the Battle Box, the largest underground command centre of the British Malaya Command Headquarters during World War II; Fort Siloso, the only remaining well-preserved British coastal fortification in Singapore; and the Changi Chapel and Museum, which was “a beacon of hope for the hopeless” during the Japanese occupation.

6. Invest.
Ranked the Top Convention City in Asia for 23 consecutive years by the Union of International Associations (2006), and the world’s 2nd Top Convention City by the International Congress and Convention Association (2006), it is no wonder that Singapore attracts high-profile businesses.
“(Singapore’s) compact size belies its economic growth, (so that) in just 150 years, (it) has grown into a thriving center of commerce and industry,” STB states.  Among others, Singapore has the busiest port in the world with over 600 shipping lines sending super tankers, container ships, and passenger liners sharing its busy waters with coastal fishing vessels and wooden lighters; it is a major supplier of electronic components and a leader in shipbuilding and repairing; and it has long been one of the most important financial centers of Asia, with “business dealings facilitated by Singapore's superb communications network which links the nation to the rest of the world via satellite, 24-hour telegraph, and telephone systems.  Singapore's strategic location, excellent facilities, fascinating cultural contrasts and tourist attractions contribute to its success as a leading destination for both business and pleasure,” STB adds.
All these make the country an investing businessman’s possible dreamland.

7. Party all the way.
As the STB puts it, in Singapore, “the sun may dim, but the fun doesn’t!”
And there’s truth in this, since “whether you’re a party animal, a 24-hour foodie, or just a night owl craving adventure around the clock, there are many sizzling surprises to keep your senses satiated till the wee hours of the morning.”  Night experiences can be as varied as drinking Absinth (think Kylie Minogue as the green fairy in Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge) in Tantric Bar, which is right beside the dance-worthy Taboo/Tabu Bar (at Neil Road); or, turning semi-hetero, partying away at Insomnia (at Fountain Court Chijmes), Balaclava (at Suntec City, 1 Raffles Blvd.), Butter Factory (at Roberson Quay), and DragonFly and Powerhouse (both at Sentosa Gateway), just among others. 
Then again, for those looking for more calm, a visit to the Night Safari (from S$10) may suffice, for a more natural mingling with real (non-human) nocturnal animals.
Nights, indeed, can be fun in Singapore.

8. Give in to the clichés.
Oh, alright, since already there, one might as well visit the tourist hotspots.  This means a visit to the Merlion (adjacent to One Fullerton close to the Esplanade), Singapore’s symbol that “symbolizes the ancient city of Temasek (old Singapore) and represents Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village,” the STB says; the Old Parliament House, Singapore's oldest government building that was re-launched as The Arts House; and the bronze statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, Singapore’s founder, in front of Victoria Theatre (the replica, made of pure white polymarble, can be found at North Boat Quay).

Perhaps complaining Singaporeans, such as those who grumbled to the DJ, are missing the point – or maybe I’m just exaggerating a point related to GSS, which is my way of looking at Singapore not so much as a shopping capital, but as a product one may end up buying in, of all places, Singapore.  The “sale” price may be fake (Singapore IS expensive), but, at least, at the end of the day, the shopper gets exactly what was advertised.