Friday, January 27, 2006
Winter 2005 / 2006
The weather over the last week has been very cold here in London. We have not had snow since our return, but the weatherman has hinted that there might be some along the way soon. Altough it has been cold, we have been fortunate that it has been dry. The cold if combined with rain and wind can be unbearable.
Another month or so of this and we will be in early Spring. Sping, the best season by far with snowdrops, crocuses and finally the daffodils. I always look forward to Spring. This is a season when everything comes alive again. Well, Spring is still more than a month away. We have to get through the rest of the winter. Hope we get some snow soon.
Another month or so of this and we will be in early Spring. Sping, the best season by far with snowdrops, crocuses and finally the daffodils. I always look forward to Spring. This is a season when everything comes alive again. Well, Spring is still more than a month away. We have to get through the rest of the winter. Hope we get some snow soon.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Back in UK
Now back in UK. After 2 and a half months in Singapore it is quite refreshing to have this change of scenery. Back here life is toyally different. I will have to adapt to this UK life again. The adaptation comes back quite naturally. After to-ing and fro-ing between these 2 countries for the past 4 or 5 years, it comes quite automatically.
No more foodcourts and my favourites such as laksa and the yong tow foo, but on the plus side I have my cuppas. No more congestion at Fairprice but the roomy Tesco. However, paying high prices here at the supermarket as opposed to the fairly cheaper prices of NTUC Fairprice.
No more squeaky clean streets of Singapore but the messy streets of London. Fortunately being out of the city we have comparatively clean streets in our area.
It is a pleasure to drive here in UK, compared to the rudeness of the Singaporean drivers.
All in all, it all balances out. Some good and some not so good. I love both countries.
No more foodcourts and my favourites such as laksa and the yong tow foo, but on the plus side I have my cuppas. No more congestion at Fairprice but the roomy Tesco. However, paying high prices here at the supermarket as opposed to the fairly cheaper prices of NTUC Fairprice.
No more squeaky clean streets of Singapore but the messy streets of London. Fortunately being out of the city we have comparatively clean streets in our area.
It is a pleasure to drive here in UK, compared to the rudeness of the Singaporean drivers.
All in all, it all balances out. Some good and some not so good. I love both countries.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
I Love Singapore - I hate Singapore
I am returning to UK after a stay of 2 and a half month stay here in Singapore. I leave with very mixed feelings. I have a love-hate relationship with Singapore and therefore each time I leave or return to Singapore I have this feeling of joy mixed with trepidation. I must confess that with the increase in the number of visits I am slowly getting accustomed to what to expect here in Singapore. I list below the reasons for my joy when returning to Singapore,
Food
Singaporeans love eating and one can find food courts and eateries almost at every corner of the island. I must admit I love to eat and enjoy Singaporean cuisine. Food at the food courts are generally very good, although one must be careful not to indulge too much, bearing in mind the evils of Trans fat highlighted in the papers recently.
Public Transport
In Singapore the public transport is second to none. Buses are generally on time and the MRT is as good as it gets. It is very easy to get to most places in Singapore by public transport. The new MRT Circle Line will no doubt make it easier to get around. Taxi is quite reasonably priced and all taxi rides are according to meters, unlike in KL where you have to bargain for every journey.
Cleanliness
Singapore is by far the cleanest city I have been in. Littering is strictly prohibited. Litterbugs if caught are prosecuted, hence the cleanliness of the streets and parks. Foreign workers are employed to sweep the streets and clean the shopping malls. If you enter a public toilet anywhere on the island you can be sure it is clean and tidy.
Below are some of the reasons why I dread returning to Singapore,
Driving
Singapore has been transformed from a third world country to one of the richest in a relatively short period of 40 years. However, the majority of Singaporean drivers still maintain third world mentality when it comes to driving. They are often rude and offensive on the road and they never respect other road users. I have been told many times that this is the way people drive here and I have to accept it whether I like it or not. Whatever excuses one may say in the defense of the bad driving habits of the Singaporeans, I still say that bad manners on the roads should never be tolerated.
Queue Jumping
There are many Singaporeans who would on the pretext of ignorance jump queue. This may be because these people are always impatient and always in a rush.
Rudeness
Generally I find Singaporeans rather a rude lot. I am accustomed to people saying “thank you” and “please”. Here in Singapore it is quite common to be totally ignored when you hold open doors, allow others to pass, giving up seats etc. I have never been able to get any response when I wish people on the street “good morning”.
Talking loudly on mobile phones
Singaporeans tend to be very loud on their mobile phones, especially true amongst the heartlanders.
On balance Singaporeans are OK, as long as you bear in mind that this way of life is quite normal here. They may appear rude at times but maybe their abruptness is unintentional.
Food
Singaporeans love eating and one can find food courts and eateries almost at every corner of the island. I must admit I love to eat and enjoy Singaporean cuisine. Food at the food courts are generally very good, although one must be careful not to indulge too much, bearing in mind the evils of Trans fat highlighted in the papers recently.
Public Transport
In Singapore the public transport is second to none. Buses are generally on time and the MRT is as good as it gets. It is very easy to get to most places in Singapore by public transport. The new MRT Circle Line will no doubt make it easier to get around. Taxi is quite reasonably priced and all taxi rides are according to meters, unlike in KL where you have to bargain for every journey.
Cleanliness
Singapore is by far the cleanest city I have been in. Littering is strictly prohibited. Litterbugs if caught are prosecuted, hence the cleanliness of the streets and parks. Foreign workers are employed to sweep the streets and clean the shopping malls. If you enter a public toilet anywhere on the island you can be sure it is clean and tidy.
Below are some of the reasons why I dread returning to Singapore,
Driving
Singapore has been transformed from a third world country to one of the richest in a relatively short period of 40 years. However, the majority of Singaporean drivers still maintain third world mentality when it comes to driving. They are often rude and offensive on the road and they never respect other road users. I have been told many times that this is the way people drive here and I have to accept it whether I like it or not. Whatever excuses one may say in the defense of the bad driving habits of the Singaporeans, I still say that bad manners on the roads should never be tolerated.
Queue Jumping
There are many Singaporeans who would on the pretext of ignorance jump queue. This may be because these people are always impatient and always in a rush.
Rudeness
Generally I find Singaporeans rather a rude lot. I am accustomed to people saying “thank you” and “please”. Here in Singapore it is quite common to be totally ignored when you hold open doors, allow others to pass, giving up seats etc. I have never been able to get any response when I wish people on the street “good morning”.
Talking loudly on mobile phones
Singaporeans tend to be very loud on their mobile phones, especially true amongst the heartlanders.
On balance Singaporeans are OK, as long as you bear in mind that this way of life is quite normal here. They may appear rude at times but maybe their abruptness is unintentional.
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