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There is no such thing as a trip to south Asia without a stop in Singapore. With just one visit, you will easily see why it is one of the most popular retirement destinations in the world. It has also become the favorite place for many students and young adults wanting to spend a year or two living abroad.
Despite its population of over 5 million people, Singapore is one of the cleanest and safest places you will ever visit. When planning your trip, there is one thing you need to keep in the back of your mind. No matter how familiar you think you are with other major cities and countries throughout Asia, Singapore is a one of a kind place.
A city of its own
Made up of one large island and several smaller ones, Singapore is both a city and a state. While it is made up of several cultures and people of many nationalities, having some money to spend is one thing that almost everyone has in common. Because of this, Singapore has become one of the most popular financial hubs on the planet.
Because of the many differences from other major Asian cities, there are a few things you will need to know. For starters, there are four major languages the locals speak. Mandarin, English, Tamil, and Malay, are each spoken on a regular basis. You may be better off knowing at least a little of each.
Abide by the law
If you are going to visit Singapore, you need to know up front that you should be on your best behavior. Neither jaywalking or littering is allowed. And yes, you will pay a fine for not flushing the toilet after the use of a public bathroom.
While I am not sure if there is a urinal officer in every men’s room, the laws are to be taken very seriously. Because of their enforcement, Singapore has become one of the safest places to visit in the world. The locals would like to keep it that way.
The drug addiction rate in Singapore is also among the lowest on the globe. This is largely in part to the fact that a variety of drug charges have a mandatory death sentence. Don’t get the wrong idea here. Singapore is definitely a place that should be on your bucket list.
There is plenty of alcohol, after paying what is known as the “sinners tax,” and you should enjoy your time on the island. However, you don’t want to be involved in any activity whatsoever when drugs are a part.
While there are some strict laws that you probably wouldn’t know about without being there, the majority of these are punished by just a fine when broken. If you are legally visiting the country and can honestly say you were unaware of the law you were breaking, the fine can usually be erased with a simple letter to local authorities.
However, this is for first time offenders only. Not only will the second ticket or fine stick for a second offense, the penalty will usually be much stiffer. As mentioned earlier, have fun. Enjoy your trip and make some memories. Just be smart about what it is you are doing.
One thing you won’t need to worry about is transportation. Book Taxi Singapore is able to provide all of your driving needs, even picking you up after being released from jail.
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