ISM Gymnastics Team Trip to Singapore
Jaron and I went with the ISM (International School of Manila) Gymanstics Team to Singapore April 29-May 1. The team was competing in a meet with other international schools in the general area as well as local Sinapore teams. We left early from school on Friday and stayed through Monday. Tuesday was a holiday and we wish we would have stayed a little longer even. Normally the President of the Philippines moves the holiday from a Tuesday to a Monday (at the last minute of course) so we have a long weekend, but this was one of those wierd exceptions - something I'm trying to learn to accept, sometimes more successfully than others. So we missed a day of school.
We got some good shopping in - you'll see pictures of Little India, Arab Street, etc. and many malls that surrounded our hotel on Orchard Street - as well as some good kid activities like the Science Museum and the Night Safari. You won't, however, see any pictures of the night safari because it was dark and my camera just doesn't take great pictures in the dark. It was quite amazing though to ride the tram around and have the animals (not penned up except for the more dangerous ones) right at the side of the road. A much different experience than going to your average "day zoo" and wondering why you can't see the tiger who is sleeping way in the back of his cave...apparently the trick was to sprinkle all the food near the tram trail so the animals would all graze peacefully in full view - good trick!
Some interesting things about Singapore that you may or may not know...a few people that I've heard comment about the country (city?) have expressed disappointment in the place because it's so small and limited. However, I did hear from one person who had lived there for a few years that that is really deceiving. There really is a lot to do there and no matter how long you live there (according to him) there is always something new to explore. The shopping is great, the streets are immaculate (laws against chewing gum, strict fines for littering, etc. really seem to be working - I guess they really learned from NYCs shortcomings). English is very good here and kids are required to go to school. In my travels, I've noticed that the enforcement of mandatory education seemingly makes a great difference in the development and efficiency of a city or country - fancy that! Another thing that is quite noticeable is the complete lack of poverty and/or homelessness. There just isn't any! And was told that this is attributed to the first leader of Singapore (I think, and correct me if I'm wrong) who was a benevolent dictator, really looking out for the interests of his people. He ensured that EVERYONE was to have decent housing and the pay for government jobs is adequate so as to discourage poverty. Seems like the plan is working! Unlike some other Asian neighbors, this city is very efficient and timely (meaning there is no flex time or stretch time). It was almost difficult to get used to that mentality in Asia, but it was attributed to the influence of their timely and efficient neighbors - the Chinese. I had to turn off the Filipino time that has been engrained in my head lately...
Overall, we really had a nice visit and enjoyed Singapore immensely. I hope you enjoy the pictures below...
Jaron and I went with the ISM (International School of Manila) Gymanstics Team to Singapore April 29-May 1. The team was competing in a meet with other international schools in the general area as well as local Sinapore teams. We left early from school on Friday and stayed through Monday. Tuesday was a holiday and we wish we would have stayed a little longer even. Normally the President of the Philippines moves the holiday from a Tuesday to a Monday (at the last minute of course) so we have a long weekend, but this was one of those wierd exceptions - something I'm trying to learn to accept, sometimes more successfully than others. So we missed a day of school.
We got some good shopping in - you'll see pictures of Little India, Arab Street, etc. and many malls that surrounded our hotel on Orchard Street - as well as some good kid activities like the Science Museum and the Night Safari. You won't, however, see any pictures of the night safari because it was dark and my camera just doesn't take great pictures in the dark. It was quite amazing though to ride the tram around and have the animals (not penned up except for the more dangerous ones) right at the side of the road. A much different experience than going to your average "day zoo" and wondering why you can't see the tiger who is sleeping way in the back of his cave...apparently the trick was to sprinkle all the food near the tram trail so the animals would all graze peacefully in full view - good trick!
Some interesting things about Singapore that you may or may not know...a few people that I've heard comment about the country (city?) have expressed disappointment in the place because it's so small and limited. However, I did hear from one person who had lived there for a few years that that is really deceiving. There really is a lot to do there and no matter how long you live there (according to him) there is always something new to explore. The shopping is great, the streets are immaculate (laws against chewing gum, strict fines for littering, etc. really seem to be working - I guess they really learned from NYCs shortcomings). English is very good here and kids are required to go to school. In my travels, I've noticed that the enforcement of mandatory education seemingly makes a great difference in the development and efficiency of a city or country - fancy that! Another thing that is quite noticeable is the complete lack of poverty and/or homelessness. There just isn't any! And was told that this is attributed to the first leader of Singapore (I think, and correct me if I'm wrong) who was a benevolent dictator, really looking out for the interests of his people. He ensured that EVERYONE was to have decent housing and the pay for government jobs is adequate so as to discourage poverty. Seems like the plan is working! Unlike some other Asian neighbors, this city is very efficient and timely (meaning there is no flex time or stretch time). It was almost difficult to get used to that mentality in Asia, but it was attributed to the influence of their timely and efficient neighbors - the Chinese. I had to turn off the Filipino time that has been engrained in my head lately...
Overall, we really had a nice visit and enjoyed Singapore immensely. I hope you enjoy the pictures below...
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