M-whY

Many travellers find Singapore a boring place. If shopping isn't your cup of tea, there isn't much else to do. However, I couldn't leave Singapore without seeing Tao and his dad, Dr. Fwa. Tao had just graduated, and was extremely busy. But he'd make time for me tomorrow. Dr. Fwa was out of the country on business, and not due to return until tomorrow night. It's not often I come to the other side of the world. It wouldn't hurt to stick around for a couple more days.

With some time to kill, I figured I'd seek out the city's more touristy areas. First stop was the and the colorful buildings that lined the Singapore River. Dining along the banks was a popular activity among older (and wealthier) travellers. In the evenings, bumboats with red lanterns took couples looking for a little romance out onto the water. Personally though, I find it hard to imagine cruising down a polluted waterway an enjoyable experience.

Walkways linked Clark Quay with Boat Quay, and actually continued all the way down the river to the sea. At the mouth of the river is the Esplanade, a $600 million arts center that exemplifies contemporary Singapore. The recently completed theatre, shop, and restaurant complex is likely to become Singapore's international icon. Locals often compare its architecture to the shape of a durian. Whether out of affection or contempt, I can't be sure.

Across the bay is Merlion Park, where the bizarre half lion, half fish statue serves as the island's mascot. I don't know what possessed the tourism board to select this particular creature, but it's obviously based of Edwin Thumboo's poem, Ulysses by the Merlion.

If I had a guidebook specific to Singapore, I might've been able to find more sights. (By the way, I give mad props to whoever was able to fill an entire Lonely Planet book on just Singapore.) As it were, that's all I found worth seeing. The city might be a great place to live, but when it comes to attractions, Singa-bore is a bit lacking!

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