Singapore

Singapore is very different than I was expecting it to be. It feels very much controlled and designed by the government, but I think I like that about it? I guess it works if your government wants whats best for it's people. There is nothing shitty here, probably because the government won't allow it. Maybe thats over controlling, but it also means, you never experience anything shitty! Everything works perfectly, everything is clean, nothing seems out of place. And at the same time, there is an incredible amount of diversity and variation to the neighborhoods. It's probably the most diverse place I've ever been, by design I guess. It's amazing to see a place where the government is actively fostering a welcoming and diverse environment. Good things seem to happen. Obviously there is a lot I do not see as a tourist, but this is how it initially comes across. Safe, incredibly diverse, and full of delicious things. For example, if there was a restaurant that was serving food that was making people sick, it would probably be shut down almost immediately. This is not the same for other places (Bali), where eating locally can seem like Russian roulette.

Is it ok to live in a nanny state if the nanny is really caring and supportive? I dunno, there are always trade offs. As a tourist though, I am enjoying being "nanny-ed."

If you're into Asian food, Singapore should be on the very tippy top of your travel wishlist. Simply put, it's freaking crazy how much good food there is here. Cheap too. It's easy to get a giant bowl of some amazing seafood noodle soup thing for around $4-5.

The first picture I took in Singapore was of this mosque. The humidity was so intense that it fogged my lens. Not a great picture, but it was cool to wake up to.

Grrrrrrrr I am the laundry monsterrrrrr.

About to get our sweat on. Sweating here is different than any other place I've ever sweated. You don't sweat, you melt. It doesn't even really smell, it's just like someone turned on a warm shower under your clothes. Your just all of a sudden very wet. I drink a lot of water here, and rarely pee.

Singapore is really cool, but unfortunately falls prey to some of the more annoying aspects of modern society...

Folks on the street, living life.

First official Thai food in Asia. Twas bomb.

These sort of open air restaurants that spill out onto the sidewalk are all over Singapore. In the evening they are completely full, and smell incredible. 

Nightlife outside of our hostel. The one big downside to Singapore, is that alcohol is taxed to the extreme. A liter of Absolute vodka will set you back about $100. A can of Heineken (12oz) is $5-7. A craft beer at a bar (they have craft beer here!!) will cost you $12-20 a pint. It's prohibitively expensive. If you do travel here, take advantage of the duty free booze at the airport. Anything you buy there is at least %75 off of what it would cost in Singapore.

Pretty bird.