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The underground world of Singapore

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Re: The underground world of Singapore

#71

Post by hellofunk »

ValentineC wrote: post #70
hellofunk wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only for visitors. You get to used to the climate pretty quickly if you live there. Many of my neighbors there wouldn't even bother with AC.

> You get to used to the climate pretty quickly if you live there. Many of my neighbors there wouldn't even bother with AC. I've lived in Singapore (almost) all my life, and the average temperature/humidity feels a lot higher as compared to when I was younger. It's not easy to survive without AC, and most middle-class households here will consider it a necessity.

I lived in the Farrer Park neighborhood a few years ago, and most of my neighbors seemed quite content with nice fans in their house, and would often not use their air conditioning. I guess everyone's different. I've got a buddy who grew up in Singapore and when he goes back to visit, the room he stays in has no air conditioning.

Re: The underground world of Singapore

#72

Post by hellofunk »

jasonm23 wrote: post #45
hellofunk wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only for visitors. You get to used to the climate pretty quickly if you live there. Many of my neighbors there wouldn't even bother with AC.

Still took me 2+ years to acclimatise properly. Now I'm uncomfortable in temperatures lower than 28C (84F)

2 yrs sounds about right. I think in my case it was shorter than that, but I've always liked hot climates.

Re: The underground world of Singapore

#73

Post by eru »

jessaustin wrote: post #55
jpatokal wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Uhh, Singapore is very far from homogeneous. There are Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians, over a million expats from all countries and in all social classes and four official languages to cater to them all.

Haha this reminds me of when I lived and worked in Singapore and an Andersen consultant flew in from Kansas to "help us out". His first complaint was that there was nowhere to eat! That was so stupid I couldn't respond, since there is more culinary variety in Singapore than anywhere else I've ever been, but eventually I figured out that he wasn't able to eat anywhere besides a steakhouse, which establishments are com…

In my experience Singaporeans only talk about food.

Re: The underground world of Singapore

#74

Post by eru »

skissane wrote: post #56
jessaustin wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Haha this reminds me of when I lived and worked in Singapore and an Andersen consultant flew in from Kansas to "help us out". His first complaint was that there was nowhere to eat! That was so stupid I couldn't respond, since there is more culinary variety in Singapore than anywhere else I've ever been, but eventually I figured out that he wasn't able to eat anywhere besides a steakhouse, which establishments are com…

> although fair warning on the unpalatable Australian beef Is Australian beef unpalatable? It all depends on the cut and the grade, of course; but, buying good quality beef here in Australia, comparing it to beef I've tasted in restaurants in the US, it tastes just as good. Maybe the stuff we export to Singapore isn't that good. Or maybe higher prices push people towards the lower quality stuff.

Really good beef is expensive in Singapore, and the locals don't have that much of a culture steak. So there's a bunch of bad restaurants for western expats, and some very high end ones.

Re: The underground world of Singapore

#75

Post by hellofunk »

jsemrau wrote: post #41
hellofunk wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Singapore is one of the few major populations on earth that is shielded from most natural disasters. It's also not near a fault line, so earthquakes, tropical storms, tsunamis are unlikely to affect it. Major flooding can occur due to rains, however. The city has dealt with it in the past and seems to have that under control. The other major disaster that hits Singapore frequently throughout every year is the "haze"…

2015 wasn't too good either. Here the view from my office at the time https://imgur.com/zVECQQ3

That's awful, I'm sorry to see that. The haze problem was one of the main reasons I left Singapore. It's no way to live, no way to raise children. In 2013 I remember there was a street where a lot of birds died mid-flight from suffocation on the smoke, fell to the ground and littered the pavement.

It's just sad to see a problem like this, all caused by human activity. It could be stopped but not much is being done to do so.

Re: The underground world of Singapore

#76

Post by ValentineC »

jpatokal wrote: post #54
cyberferret wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you are not used to the heat and humidity (i.e. coming from a colder clime) then it is very easy to overheat and dehydrate yourself. Don't underestimate the amount of water you have to drink. You will find that locals will have subtly learned the art of avoiding the worst of it - i.e. avoiding walking outdoors in the middle of the day, and also walking along the side of the street that is in more shade from buildi…

The key thing is walking slowly to minimize energy expenditure. The Malays, in particular, have this down to an art, while the average New Yorker or Scandinavian will spontaneously combust after walking two blocks.

Interestingly enough, Singaporeans were supposedly the world's fastest walkers back in 2007: http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/05/02/walking.speed...

Re: The underground world of Singapore

#77

Post by zhte415 »

emmanuel_1234 wrote: post #60
zhte415 wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But HK is mostly park, mountain and forest. Saikung, Lamma and Lantau my favourites.

The city itself has none of it. Hong Kong is large slabs of concrete, where the people lives, surrounded by large slabs of green hills, where no one lives. Victoria Park, in the heart of Causeway Bay is the best example of it: it's just concrete with a few trees here and there, so depressing.

Incorrect. HK has one one the most beautiful envinoments any city state has to offer.

Explore more.

Re: The underground world of Singapore

#78

Post by swyx »

wahern wrote: post #66
swyx wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

sounds like Singapore then

And yet there are also places where Singaporean spotlessness gives way to dirt. Places like Geylang, a red light district well off the tourist map, and Orchard Towers, with its so-called "four floors of whores". -- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/life/sex-in-singapore-the-e... Actually, Geylang is hardly off the tourist map. It's quickly becoming more like the French Quarter in New Orleans--a rapidly gentrifying nig…

am Singaporean. its fine.
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