Moving On

I only had two full days in Singapore, and today was the day to set sail - on a bus called Aeroline - to Kuala Lumpur.

The bus was leaving at 11 am, with check-in at the HarbourFront Centre in Singapore.
After a hearty breakfast of 17 mangosteens, I was driven there by a Grab driver from Vietnam, and we actually had a pleasant conversation. It was the first time anyone here genuinely tried to chat - I appreciated it.

Once I arrived at the Centre, I tried to find the Aeroline check-in to confirm my presence.
But… said centre was nowhere to be found. I asked five people for help. Three of them offered a vague “Ah, no, maybe not here but walk.” One came close - suggesting something like a shortcut. Only one person could actually tell me the Aeroline centre was on the second floor. What a relief - it was getting close to departure time!

Luckily, it all worked out and I boarded the bus.

What a luxurious bus it is! Reclining seat, leg rest, complimentary water, food, headphones, and a screen. This must be what economy plus feels like.

So, now that I’ve left Singapore - here is your Singapore Fact Special. Lean back and enjoy.

The name Singapore comes from the Sanskrit-rooted Malay words singa (lion) and pura (city). It means “Lion City”. Duh, eh?

The four official languages are Malay, Tamil, English, and Mandarin.

Singapore was briefly part of Malaysia from 1963 to 1965, before being expelled - largely due to deep political and racial tensions between Singapore’s ruling party and the Malaysian federal government. Before 1963, Singapore had been a British crown colony. It became the only country in modern history to gain independence entirely against its will. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew famously wept on television when he announced it.

Singapore has a population of around 6 million people, made up of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other communities. Major religions include Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Hinduism - all coexisting in a remarkably small space.

As one humorous card I found put it: Singapore is a fine city. Literally. There are fines for littering, jaywalking, eating or drinking on the MRT (public transport), not flushing a public toilet, and feeding pigeons. You can even be fined for chewing gum - it cannot be bought or sold anywhere in the country. Private individuals may carry a small personal supply in their own packets, but don’t push it.

Oh, and while on the flight to Singapore, passengers were reminded that carrying illegal drugs could result in the death penalty. That certainly set the tone. I also spotted a poster declaring 12 strokes of the cane for involvement in scam muling.

What else is there… Ah, Tiger Balm! It’s a Singaporean invention. It was developed in the early 20th century by brothers Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par, building on a formula by their father, a Chinese herbalist.Read more