Switzerland is the most perfectly organized country in the world? Hmm, not quite so. Switzerland has the most punctual train system? Wrong again. But at least, Switzerland has the most beautiful mountains? Well, I give you that one. But then again, when it comes to the friendliest and most helpful people, it is again Singapore which scores!
Singapore is indeed a spotless version of Switzerland. Slightly more exotic, a bit warmer and with a far lower income tax. My arrival and with this the start of Panmundo’s Asian leg could not have been better. When I took the Airport-MRT, Singapore’s underground train, I was astonished that there was not a single chewing gum nor a cigarette bum to be seen between the rails. As soon as I was out of the train and wanted to open my city map, a geek with decent tie asked whether he could be of any assistance and explained the way to my hotel.
Since it was not far, I decided to ignore the polite taxi drivers and started to walk. When arriving at my hotel, I discovered that I must be the only guest in the last 500 years who had arrived by walking. I almost got knocked over by a Bentley carrying the flags of the hotel. The porter who wore the impressive uniform of a sultan or marahadscha was definitely mistaking me for an "I just want to take a picture of the lobby"-tourist, but he never-the-less opened the immense hotel-door with a friendly smile and called a porter to help me with my backpack.
After I had checked in and was guided to my room by Johan, my personal assistant for the next 4 days, I pondered the question how I would sell this to you, my dear reader. You cannot really call a stay in Asia’s best and most history-charged hotel an adventure (but you most certainly can call it an experience :-). Neither does it fit together with a dirty off-road car and with my rather worn-down outfit. However, even though I like to think of myself as an adventurer, I must admit that I simply have lost the ground under my feet and decided to enjoy perfection as it only can exist in Asia: a stay in the Raffles Hotel, Singapore.
It was worth it, as you will discover when you read on (part 2). For the moment though, let’s go back to the first evening. Right after I had unpacked my things (and I had far too little things to need the help of Johan), I made way for the couchsurfers’ meeting I was invited to. The happening took place in a so called "Hawker", an open food court, and was situated right next to the modern Sidney-style opera. I walked through perfectly laid-out gardens, clean streets with high-rising buildings and enjoyed the nightly views the modern architecture offered.
Once arrived, I thanked God for couchsurfing one more time: an awesome group had gathered together and I forgot any thought about my jet-lag. The food was delicious (try Oyster-omelette – super-tasty!) and time passed like nothing. It felt strange: I never had been in Singapore before, but I felt like coming home after a long trip. Within the first couple of hours I knew, that I liked this place. In fact, that this was a place where I well could imagine living for some years.
The evening was perfect and I only returned after I had made some 10 new friends and exchanged the equal number of phone numbers.
The next day was slightly less attractive: I needed to get my car back and out of the harbour without customs sending me to jail.
How to ship a car to Singapore? Well, the South-American part was easy and its description can be found HERE. However, I had no clue what was awaiting me in Singapore. Taking the super efficient public transport down to Singpore’s business district, I easily found the 62 stories building where China Shipping was located. I presented my documents and asked whether I could get my car out of the container.
The answer was good and bad: Yes, the container had arrived, but no, I could not get the car out of the container. When asking why this would be a problem, the lady with big smile and no clue went to fetch her manager. This guy politely explained that no private person could access the Singapore harbour and that I would need to engage a hauler to truck my container out of the harbour and into a private warehouse. Aha. And where to get a hauler from? With this, the shipping agent could help: he produced an exemplar of the local yellow pages and even called one freight forwarder for me to get things done.
I paid the local expenses for the unloading of the container and since I only could meet the hauler in the afternoon, I walked over to Singapore’s automobile club. There things went smoothly and soon I had my "International Circulation Permit", my insurance card for Singapore and Malaysia and some more stickers for my wind-screen. I then was told that I should go to the Department of Land Transportation to get a road-tax box installed, but when I told them that I only would stay 4 days, they said that I might go with a simple "Autopass Card".
With MRT and taxis I went to the said department only to be informed that I would need my Carnet de Passage stamped before I could get the Autopass. This would only happen once my car has left port and therefore I went back downtown to see my forwarding agent (I actually never got such a card and you can well do without it!). This guy had enormous nostrils but he competently explained what he would do in order to get my car out of the harbour. I had to pay another 350 Singapore Dollars (sigh!) and was promised to be informed at what time on the next day I should come to harbour.
So far, so good. Back in the hotel I had short swim in the beautiful pool before Vincent called. Vincent had studied with me in Vienna – that must have been some 8 years or so ago. Fun to meet old friends who live on the other side of the planet! He introduced me to the expat party community and its posh bars and discos (visit Fashionbar and Attica when you go to Singapore!). Before meeting Vincent, I had dinner with Marco and his girl-friend in the famous Lau-Pat-Sat Hawker. And the food is sooo good in Singapore! The tables brim over with delicious and most diverse food! (let me tell you: Singaporeans fall for two things: food and shopping!)
Meeting old friends kept me busy for some more nights: There was a meeting of St. Gallen Alumni who now work in Singapore. In a disco I met by chance another fellow graduate form my university. On Saturday I was invited to a party and met Christian, an old friend, and some 10 more Swiss folks. Singapore has a very active expat community! And since the couchsurfing community is even more active, I hardly ever slept. Actually a shame: my bed was super comfy!
Then there was the day where I should see my car again. After 4 weeks! Would it start or would the batteries deny their service? I had a severe headache, the sunlight was far too bright and I longed for my bed only 3 minutes after I had left my room. However, my agent had informed me that there would be a custom inspection (another 120 Dollars, great!) and wished for me to be present.
The inspection was rather easy: the chief inspector was fascinated by my additional fuel tank and asked more questions about the motor than about the contents of the car. This was good, since there still were some unopened bottles of vodka and wine in the car – and you are not supposed to import more than one bottle! We got the car out of the container, shock hands, and there I was: On the streets of Singapore, driving in Asia and getting accustomed once more to driving on the left side of the street.