27/01/11 Singapore

Getting out of the airport in Singapore has been a nightmare. No bus, train or taxi was willing to take us with our bikes out of the airport and we were not allowed to take the highway. After a good two hours running in circle in the airport, trying to find a way out, we finally met Martin, a guy in his minibus who was waiting at the airport for clients that finally never showed up. He nicely offered us to drop us at Anne's place (a Krystina's friend who has kindly accepted to host us for a couple of days) on his way back to the hotel. The way she welcomed us was as warm as the weather here.

Freighter boats waiting to dock, Singapore is the second buzziest commercial harbour after Guangzhou

Singapore is a really surprising place. In the city-state, Western, Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures seem to get together apparently without any friction. We were expecting an autoritative, martial, very organized and cold atmosphere but really, people here are laid-back, nice and friendly and the city itself is much more chaotic than what the people were telling us.

Market under the rain in Chinatown

Like in Hong Kong, the whole city seems to be driven by money. International bank headquarters, sport cars, huge shopping malls "à la Champs Elyssées ", nice architectures and Louis Vuitton, Dolce Gabbana, Channel and Prada boutiques are everywhere. 

This building interacts with the street with its dancing lights.

On the other hand, Singapore has some very interesting popular neighborhoods, offering public housings were people actually want to live, green spaces, dynamic city centers and good transportation networks. State-of-the-art urban planning examples that are well worth seing.

Public housing in Singapore, nothing to do with their French, Russian and North American equivalents. Following Le Corbusier idea, those buildings are surrounded by green and public spaces. A good example of public housing not to forget.

On the third day, we leave Singapore in the rain and cross the Malay border at Johor Bahru. This is greatly facilitated by the motorcycle lanes (even the border office is designed for motocycles).