I’ve only just learned how to speak Silbo Gomero. Today’s destination is the tiny country 6,800 miles from the UK with its own unique edition of English. Welcome to the locality of the tiny country 6,800 miles from the Singapore, known officially as the The Republic of Singapore, The name “Singapura” comes from the Sanskrit “Simha Pura,” meaning “Lion City.” Legend has it that a Sumatran prince saw a creature he mistook for a lion when he landed there in the 14th century. The unusual part?
There have never been any native lions in Singapore. The iconic Merlion, a mythical half-lion, half-fish creature, is the national personification and a major tourist attraction, embodying this slightly misnamed heritage. We’re confident that most of you know about Singapore and may even have visited. But there’s a lot more to discover about this delightful place.
Singapore is famous for its gleaming skyscrapers, impeccable cleanliness, efficient public transport, and strict laws. However, beneath this polished surface, and sometimes because of it, you’ll find some truly unusual and interesting aspects that often surprise visitors. Did you know that Singapore is Singapore is famously known as a “Fine City” for a reason. While many laws are sensible, some are unusual to outsiders.
Here’s an example: Chewing Gum Ban: Importing or selling chewing gum (with very few medicinal exceptions) has been banned since 1992 to prevent litter and vandalism (gum stuck to public property, like MRT doors). That’s just smart. And another interesting factoid is It’s illegal not to flush a public toilet after use, with fines for offenders. Some public restrooms even have urine detection devices that will trigger an alarm and lock doors until authorities arrive! You have been warned, so do the right thing and be the kind of traveler that everyone wants to know.
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