Leaving the Merlion

A merlion is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The fish body represents Singapore’s origin as a fishing village when it was called Temasek, which means “sea town” in Javanese. The lion head represents Singapore’s original name — Singapura — meaning “lion city” or “kota singa.”

Singapore is something of an anomaly. It is one of the most advanced countries in the world in terms of economy, finance, technology and government. Yet, as a foreigner, it appears to be a bubble. A non-reality separate “mythical” world where thinking out side of the box just isn’t taught in school, ordering off menu is more pain than it is worth, an alcoholic lifestyle will set you back a small fortune and as an ex-pat, money is just colored paper you can’t spend fast enough. For the past two years, this was my lifestyle.

When my company offered me an assignment in Southeast Asia, I was overwhelmed, scared, excited and curious at the same time. But, having one of my best friends in the world there already made it easier to pick up and move across the world. So does being single and near the end of your rope with big city life in the U.S.

The absolute BEST parts of Singapore are the people you meet. It’s a transient international metropolitan hub, centered in the middle of 15 of the most thriving emerging markets in the world. Everyone wants to be in Asia these days. The friends I’ve made the past two years are friends for life. Perhaps because we’ve bonded over being displaced or because we are like minded people who are driven to try something new – be it picking up your life and moving abroad or going on a tuk-tuk adventure in Thailand or cooking local fare in India or diving in the Philippines or surfing in Bali. Singapore enables you to do all of this and more, with a price tag.

To navigate your way around Singapore, here’s a little list of my favorite “cannot live without” places.
Happy Hour: Club Street. Beaujolais Wine Bar (ask for Adrian), Ying Yang roof top, Screening Room (roof top or movie theatre for dinner), Le Carillon, Jerry’s BBQ and B28. Other bar favorites are Blu Jazz, Bar Stories, Wine Connection, Verre Wine Bar and the most recent, 28HK.
Brunch: PS Café, Choupinette, Wild Honey (at Scotts Square), Hyatt, Fullerton, Sentosa
Dinner: Les Bouchons, Sabio, Osteria Mozza, Absinthe, Pasha, La Salsa, Kilo, Picotin
Best Burger: Bar Bar on 6th Avenue (Bukit Timah)
Local: Dim Sum in Paragon, Roti Prata at hawker centre on South Bridge Road at Mosque street, Long Beach Seafood Company for Chili Crab in Dempsey (black pepper crab is better) and Newton Hawker centre for chicken rice
Massage: Feetness, Thai Balinese Massage, Adept reflexology and Spa Botanica on Sentosa
Dessert: Chocolate molten lava cake in Cluny Court, second level. 2am Dessert Bar in Holland Village (ask for Robert)
Groceries: Cold Storage, 360 Market at Ion and Gastronomia
Wine: Straits Wine Company, Wine Connection
Movies: Gold Class in Vivo City is by far the best place to watch any movie but a cool experience for older flicks awaits at Screening Room.
Tourist Stuff that’s not overrated: Botanic Gardens, Singapore Zoo and Chinatown
Cheap Airlines to getaway: Tiger, Jet Star and take Qatar to Bali (awesome)
Web sites to book mark: Honeycombers, Ex-pat Living, AngMo List and City Nomads; Need a flat mate? Easyroomate.com and Craig’s List

One day I will return to the mythical land of Singapore for a visit I am sure. The 2013 reunion plans are in the works! Until then, enjoy the list and embrace the bubble. It’s a good life.