6 myths about Singapore, or what you need to know, going to the richest countries in Asia
Travels / / December 19, 2019
Katya and Kostya, who not so long ago They told us about the winter in GoaThey shared their experiences of life in this Asian country to dispel some of the most famous myths.
Just over a year ago we came back from Singapore. Having lived there for a while, we realized that the city-state has become a truly native to us. And then, finally, we are mature enough to write about what is actually happening there, and what actually Singapore.
Just say that 80% of the information we possessed before his departure there was false. Neither the transfer of "Eagle and Tails" no forum or article did not give us the information that you need to know, going to live, work, or simply to travel.
Myths about Singapore
The first myth. solid bans
Do not chew the cud, you can not throw cigarette butts, can not litter, spit can not, can not, can not ...
Of course, these are all signs in Singapore is. But the reality is a little different. Next to the sign "No smoking" will necessarily be a circle of smoking; in a place where it should be clean, be wallowing garbage, and where it is forbidden to ride a skateboard, you will meet a crowd of teenagers on skateboards. And, of course, chewing gum there. So do not be alarmed. All there is, like normal people.
The second myth. In Singapore, there is homeless
And once on the first day, walking around town, we met a few "friends", who collected bottles and slept on a park bench.
Hence collapses The third myth. Who are these tramps and why they are in this rich state live on the street?
Pensioners. The fact is that in Singapore there is no pension. the elderly should include children. And if the kids were not very positive or wealthy people, the fate of each parent only one - to stay in old age on the street, as contain enough housing in Singapore expensive.
The fourth myth.Singapore - a great place to go to work
If you decide that you are a hero, and you can conquer any part of the globe, it is better to fall to the ground. Although we believe in it wholeheartedly. English higher education, commitment and activity do not solve anything. Nobody advertises that for the past one and a half years in Singapore actively held rallies against the Europeans (Russians, Ukrainians - in short, all the Slavs, too, they were not pleased). The Chinese want to see on the only Chinese and Indians sometimes. Find a job easily, but to work, you need a work visa, which arises most often a problem, because we just do not give it because of the absence of quotas.
But, of course, there are exceptions. If you register a company in Singapore, if you are a first-class specialist (such as a pilot, aircraft mechanic, engineer, and so on. p.), demanded in Singapore, if you come on an exchange, then you with gladly accept. In other words, if you already have enough money, you can go. But if you want to go to Singapore to earn money, then it will not work. To move to Singapore need a good financial base.
The fifth myth. In Singapore, almost no traffic jams and no traffic lights
There is a lot of congestion and traffic lights. On a red traffic light, can stand for 20 minutes. He have some long. Buy a car in Singapore is practically impossible. First, you need to pass on the right, then get right to the right, then to pay a huge tax and to lay out a considerable amount of car after car, of course, in Singapore it is very expensive (most often on the road you can see the "Ferrari" "Bentley" and so on. P.).
Myth Six. In Singapore, there is a beach
Only three beaches you will find on the entertainment island of Sentosa. But you will not see the ocean, you will see only something like a bat. Singapore - a port city, because of this, the water in the bay is very dirty, it is almost impossible to swim, but it is possible. =) Sam Sentosa amusement park we really like. Yes, it does not coincide with the exotic, which has been in our imagination, but the beaches are really very good. Rides, shows, fountains, wind tunnel and more. We went there all the time, picnics, and still remember these moments with joy.
organizational issues
Accommodation in Singapore. Here interesting. By law, you will not be able to rent an apartment until you get a work permit, so a vicious circle. But thanks to our compatriots who are in Singapore, there are about 1500, still have the opportunity to rent a house neofitsal'nyy. We rented a room in a condo with a private shower and toilet in one of the most pleasant residential areas. On the territory of us pleased pool, gym, barbecue area, cafe, tennis court, basketball court and a lovely park. 300 meters from the promenade and about 20 minutes drive from the center. Room cost € 700, utilities included in the price. The location is just gorgeous, called Vayshore park.
Modest little room, in the area in the suburbs, but in the new home, we rented again at the National for € 450 per month. Hotels in Singapore are expensive, to rent an apartment and live with the Indians or the Chinese, probably also not very good, so you can come in handy forum, where we found a place to live: www.nashdom.sg.
Kitchen. Very tasty food. They have places called food court, there are many different restaurants, shops, cafes and so on. N. Prices from € 1. Chinese, Indian, Malay, Thai, Filipino food for every taste.
Products in stores: meat - it's expensive; Chicken is cheaper; pasta, noodles, vegetables - nothing. We ate noodles and vegetables.
Transport. Metro, of course. Clean, fast, interesting. It is interesting to watch people. =) It should be the same as in Moscow.
Visa. Citizens of Russia and CIS countries to travel to Singapore visa is required, an exception - transit stay for 96 hours in the presence of the ticket to a third country.
A few facts about Singapore
Singapore expects self-sufficient. You do not help neither fellow citizens nor the Chinese. Aid is likely to live to see from the Indians.
Singapore is special. He is waiting for successful and confident. If you have the opportunity to live or work there, be sure to agree. The beauty of the city center does not transmit any words. For us, it is a city of the future. Avatar gardens, parks, Marina Bay Sands, viewing platforms, bridge DNA, the largest Ferris wheel - every time we went for a walk to the center, we do not believe that this is happening to us. The lights of the city at night, skyscrapers, casinos and smell vkusnyashek at every step. Zoo, for breakfast with monkeys; Botanical Garden, where you can walk for two days; embankments, Sentosa, a grill area, coconuts - some unreal combination of civilization and exotic. In Singapore, you can feel the life of the different nations, to take a walk on the Indian, Chinese, Arab neighborhoods, ride on the water bus, drink real tea.
Singapore luxury, but at the same time simple. Do not be afraid to prohibitions; the only thing it is necessary to take care in advance (while still at home) - it's about working visa, because, Only you put a stamp "approved", in front of you immediately open the door to an entirely new planet "Singapore".
We spent several wonderful months in Singapore. And be sure to come back to live in this "space" yet.
Katya and Kostya Shapovalova, the project organizers Hellomir.
Have you been to Singapore? Share your experiences and discoveries in the comments.