Singapore and the Far East

February 28th Singapore
The first thing that you notice in Singapore is the cleanliness and seeming absence of pollution - noise, dust and auto fumes. The trees and grass are green (not brown with dust). We travel 18 Kms to the house of our friends (Anil and Ritu Mehrotra) without a single traffic jam (an incredible experience after traffic jams on every journey in India)
March 6th.
I continue to be amazed at the efficiency, orderliness and discipline of the Singaporeans. And they appear to be very honest and civic minded. My friend tells me they are conditioned by rigid rule enforcement - Singapore is a 'fine' city and one is fined for every infraction, even petty ones like crossing the road at a non crossing spot. I sat in a bus tour and observed about 100 persons pay their fare using an electronic card - so easy to cheat - but did not see a single defaulter. I think Singapore must rank as the most efficient, the cleanest and the most orderly city in the world. I go around trying to find defects in their system and cannot!
Finally I discover that they do not have any provision for seniors; seniors have to live with their children or have to be financially capable of looking after themselves. Discussions with several persons confirmed their thinking that an individual must prepare for his senior years and those that do not have to pay a penalty!
We attend a night safari and a laser show. I to on two city tours. Really the first touristy things we have done on this trip. I eat an incredible variety of food including Katong Laksar - a spicy, seafood soup; Fish head curry - a spicy, south Indian style curry; Carrot cake - neither carrot nor cake, but a radish and egg concoction; Black pepper crab; Fish ball noodles; and many other delightful dishes. Eating food is a Singapore occupation and I fit right in!
The name Singapore comes from Singa - lion and pura or city. The symbol of the city is the Merlion - a mythica,l hybrid lion and sea monster - and here is one of the best versions of this icon