Singapore 6/1/26

Yesterday we visited Singapore’s National Gallery for an exhibition of Impressionists borrowed from The Boston Fine Art Museum.

The Gallery is very grand and spacious and another welcome respite from the relentless humidity. It is situated in a northeast quarter of Singapore that is a nod to the colonial past as well as the state of the art architecture.

Singapore’s commitment to sustainability is evident wherever you go. Their 2030 plan includes:

  • Planting a million more trees
  • Increasing nature parks land area by over 50% from the 2020 baseline
  • Every household will be ten minute walk from a park
  • And by 2035 add 1000 hectares of green spaces
  • Reduce the amount of waste to landfill by 30%
  • Expanding cycle paths to around 1300km
  • Achieve more than 80% public transport

And more at https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/targets/

They are very ambitious targets but you wouldn’t doubt for a minute that it won’t be achieved when you take a closer look at the streets and buildings. There’s a beautiful melding between an urban colossus and manicured gardens.

This quarter of the city house the iconic Raffles Hotel. It takes up an entire block and is all class. I imagined David Niven and Peter Ustinov sipping gin and tonics on a balcony. Leave your pith hats at the door please gentlemen.

Close by is the historic Capitol Theatre, Chinatown and some lovely narrow streets with interesting shops and accommodation.

We got lost a little again. Because we don’t have roaming for Google Maps we rely on popping into shops to obtain wifi. Yes we have a map on the phone that has been screen shot but it’s only a matter of time before it becomes irrelevant.

I failed orienteering in the army and Lynda has the navigational capabilities of Mr MaGoo. Between us we always end up in odd parts of foreign places that sometimes get a tad sketchy but more often than not are fruitful and rewarding.

Thankfully its impossible to find strife in Singapore and eventually we found the gallery. The art was as you would expect. Lynda’s always been a Monet fan but I reckon she’s turned to Pissarro after what we saw. Typical Collingwood supporter. I’m dyed in the wool Van Gogh and would never jump ship, just like my beloved Saints.

There is a huge rooftop at the gallery for functions and views of the city. All in all another fine day in this quirky city.

I’m starting to work out why the locals are so quiet and obedient especially on the train.

Firstly they are manacled  to their phones but what is most evident is the adherence to the signs. As a tourist we notice them more but I imagine if you live here, the messages would start finding their way subliminally into your head, 1984-style.

Also there’s the way the messages are projected. It’s not exactly a ‘shit sandwich’ but they will soften you up, then make no apologies by hitting you in the head in a brutal, no nonsense fashion.

Case in point. On the trains they have small video screens placed strategically through the carriages just above your eyeline and positioned so that no one can miss viewing them.

They play loop videos which start with how to react to a terrorist attack then a number of quality health and safety advice as well as affirmation that helping your fellow passengers with kindness is a worthwhile act.

Finally there’s vision of a woman on an ascending escalator and a man behind her who suddenly decides to pinch her bottom. The woman gets scared and runs, being chased by the offender.

When the woman reaches a platform official she alerts police and the offender is chased down and handcuffed.

The immediate message on the monitor? “Molesting is illegal. Molesters will be jailed and caned.” Case closed.

Then a bit later on a platform, the sign below.

So basically what the government of Singapore is saying is, “If you want to practice sexual harassment or assault on our women, we will strip you of your dignity by hitting you on the ass as so violently that your skin will welt and form scars for life. Oh.. and you’re going to jail for a year.”

Now this message along with the hundreds of others permeating your brain every day, should leave you with clear expectations, therefore if you choose to do the wrong thing by the community, the outcome will be swift and painful.

Ipso facto this is why Singaporeans feel safe.

Just got back from Changi Museum. Fantastic tribute to our fallen. Last day tomorrow.

Finished the day with Travis Head highlights. He’s seeing it like a soccer ball. Hope all’s well.