First week in Singapore

So far so good, Singpore is being hospitable "only" 30 degrees and no major thunderstorms...I'm just blogging what I see for the moment ... the major architectural attractions are chalk and cheese. The oldest type of building now considered cultural heritage and well preserved are the shophouses. This pic shows a couple in the 'Little India' district.

I like this shot because it gives a flavour of the cultural mix in Singapore, Chinese and Indian blend here without the blink of an eye. Often brightly painted and two or three stored, they are known for their '5foot walks' providing a much needed shaded walking strip on the pavement privately managed and publicly enjoyed. There are various flavours and styles of shop house I love them all and promise to bring more to the blog as I snap over the coming months...
By contrast the other talking point is the construction along the marina bay area, Singapore's waterfront district (as distinct from the beating heart of its port...more on that later). Here is a vista of the area taken on the drive from the airport into the centre of Singapore on 4/7/10, on the left is the nearly completed Marina Sands resort & casino, a massively tall offering from the same people that brought the new Wynn towers to Las Vegas. On the roof there is a park, yes a 'SkyPark' 200 metres high joining the three towers of the development. Casinos are not a typical Singaporean phenomenon, and Singaporean nationals have to put down a hefty fee for the pleasure of playing something like £35 a day.