Travel

Most people’s familiarity with Singapore stems from the 2018 movie Crazy Rich Asians, but there’s so much more to know about this intriguing island in Southeast Asia, which is considered both a country and a city. For a relatively small size—about 31 miles from east to west by 17 from north to south—it packs a lot of punch. The city-state is home to five million people.

You don’t need to clear your calendars or endure the 19-hour flight (my flight from JFK to Singapore’s Changi Airport marks the world’s longest commercial flight. At about 19 hours, it requires four pilots due to length and flight duration).

History 101

A bit of a history refresher…Prior to 1819, Singapore was a fishing village called Temasek—a Malay word for “Sea Town.” Thanks to its strategic location, the “Lion City” evolved to become one of the busiest commercial routes worldwide.

Its name comes from the word “Singapura,” which means “lion city” in Malay. The name is said to have come from a prince who believed he saw a lion when he landed on the island. Scholars believe the prince may have seen a tiger or big cat since lions are not native to Singapore.

Formerly a British colony, Singapore is a member of the Commonwealth. In 1963, it joined the Federation of Malaysia, but seceded in 1965 to become an independent state.

Although the island-country lacks abundant natural resources, it achieved remarkable economic growth after gaining independence. Under the leadership of its first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, it evolved from “Third World to First World.”

Many credit its low corruption (in 2023, Transparency International ranked Singapore 5 out of 180 countries); political stability; business-friendly regulatory process (rumor has it that a business can be established in 24 hours); and its shared values (nation, family, community, consensus not conflict, and racial and religious harmony) for its success.

Without lots of natural resources, Singapore wisely invested in its people. Highly educated (a world leader in the PISA rankings), most of Singapore’s population of 6 million are multilingual. Its four languages—English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil—speak of the region’s past and all who contribute to its status.

First Stop

Any trip to Singapore should kick off with a visit to Peranakan Museum, which explores the culture of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. The term “Peranakan” originated in the 15th century when Chinese traders married local women in Malacca—now a port city in Malaysia.

Their children were called “peranakans,” which translates to “local born” in Malay. The term is used to describe those of mixed Chinese and Malay/Indonesian ancestry but also have heritage from other cultures.

The Peranakan Museum presents a snapshot of the Southeast Asian region and its people. The area has long been a crossroads of the world and its trade has stimulated cultural exchange. Merchants and other travelers have connected the region to China, India, the Middle East, and Europe.

After learning about Singapore’s Peranakan past, I explored the museum’s collection from yesteryear through today. On display was a carriage, likely used as part of a Chinese Peranakan ceremony known as “Tedun.” The carriage is embellished with auspicious motifs that hail from the Chinese culture. This one includes a qilin (a legendary hooved creature said to appear with the imminent arrival or death of a sage or illustrious ruler) and phoenix (a symbol of immortality and resurrection.

Tedun marks a significant part of a child’s first year/when they begin to walk. During the ceremony, the child is seated in a carriage that is pulled around a chicken cage (the carriage makes three journeys around the cage). The child is then invited to select objects from the cage that represent and predict its personality and interests.

I especially enjoyed finding a COVID mask in the museum’s collection. An avid museumgoer, I rarely see contemporary items in the history/culture sections of many museums. This all-too-familiar mask educates current and future visitors on the masks that were worn during the recent pandemic. Many fashionistas donned designer masks that coordinated with their clothing (or even bathing suits as seen in the US).

In 2020, Singaporean Peranakan Chinese designer Raymond Wong received lots of orders on this fashionable goldfish COVID mask. In Peranakan and Chinese art, the goldfish is a symbol of abundance and good luck.

Many of us go through our days without realizing that the news we hear, the headlines we read, and even the lifestyle trends we experience—from MTV to TikTok—narrate a story about how the generations before us unfolded. We may not realize until decades later that a specific item or slogan marked a pivotal moment in time. My advice: Tune in, be curious, and seek the meanings and reasons rather than judging.

Attractions

Many jetsetters and non-travelers alike, were drawn to the beauty and buzz of the ultra-chic Marina Bay Sands Singapore hotel when its Ce’ La Vi restaurant, skybar, and club lounge served as the backdrop of Rachel and Nick’s farewell party in Crazy Rich Asians.

Cinema and fictional romances aside, this architectural gem, designed by Moshe Safdie, boasts three 57-story hotel towers. It features more than 2,000 rooms, an expansive rooftop observation deck, and an Instagram-worthy infinity pool set atop the world’s largest public cantilevered platform.

The shimmering towers were designed to evoke the essence of water—a sign of wealth and prosperity in the art of “Feng shui.” The term, which literally translates to “wind-water,” originated in Ancient China and claims to use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their environments.

Soar to the top and peek out over the city with a cocktail in hand while visiting Ce’ La Vi. Those who have some extra cash to spare can retreat to The Chairman Suite for upwards of $17,000 per night.

Going Green

Speaking of architecture… “Garden City” is another moniker for Singapore. Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had a vision to create a city with abundant lush greenery. That’s one of the reasons why nature is so heavily integrated into the city of Singapore. In fact, 47 percent of its land is dedicated to green space.

The island nation promotes green building practices and has implemented programs to boost greenery in city locales. Think sky rise greenery. In addition to the eco benefits (the gardens help combat rising temperatures near this steamy city which sits one degree from the equator; plants also absorb light, create shade, and release water, which cools the air), Lee Kuan Yew yearned to make everyday living more pleasant for its residents. Singapore even pays property owners up to 50 percent of the cost of installing the greens.

Beyond its vertical green spaces, Singapore is home to many gardens, parks, and bloom-oriented attractions such as Gardens by the Bay and Floral Fantasy, among others.

In Summary

Singapore was aesthetically appealing, super clean and safe, and modern (yet much of its history was prevalent in neighborhoods such as Kampong Glam, Chinatown, Little India, and Boat Quay.

One of the things I really appreciated was the sense of harmony created by Lee Kuan Yew who emphasized meritocracy and equality across races and strived to build a society where different cultures could live peacefully together and celebrate one another. What an aspiration.

For more photos visit Regina’s Instagram @glamorousvagabonds.