Singapore the ever growing South East Asian hub

At the end of July it was time to leave Thailand again for the so called 'visa run'. For some obscure bureaucratic reason we have to leave Thailand every 3 months and this time we spent 6-days in Singapore. Tibbe is the only family member without a 1 year visa and his tourist visa that was valid one month had expired.  Theoretically our 3 month old Tibbe was in breach of the law and could have been refused entry for something like 5 years.  I had prepared my arguments and was read to challenge the customs official but luckily no need for action.  The official was about to make a remark but when he saw the crying baby he went silent.

View of the CBD from Marina Bay

I've been traveling to Singapore on average about once a year over the past 10 years and the transformation has been close to phenomenal.  On every trip there are more people, more businesses, more buildings, and visibly more money flowing around.  In every way this has become a regional hub and even a global hub.  Unfortunately the prices have also been steadily increasing placing the city on the list of most expensive cities globally.  10 years ago this was a cheap city but it is now on par with cities like New York.

All cliches about Singapore are true; it's a rather boring place that is over organized and has lost its Asian charm.  However, for a short break it's actually quite nice; particularly if you live in the region. The change in scenery from the chaos on the streets of Bangkok to the efficiency and structure of Singapore works almost therapeutic. On this trip I had my first meeting down town 45 minutes after landing.  In every country this wold be impossible but here I made it and even had the time to check into the hotel with the family.

Landing at Changi Airport in Singapore.  I guess their English colonial heritage requires the to put carpet on the ground

Dim-Sum at Redstar on Sunday morning .... 200 Chinese Singaporeans and us...

Quinn is still sleepy and getting ready for her favorite food ... rice!

Our hotel room.  I never realized how important the room is when traveling with children.  I always thought a hotel room was a place to sleep. Now we spend half the day there and even watch TV (well ... Quinn does).

View from the hotel room with on the horizon the ugliest building in Asia ... the Marina Bay Sands with the 'Sky Park' - a huge park spread over 3 huge buildings.

Quinn recognizing letters at Singapore Zoo.

Relief on another hot day ... water world in Singapore zoo.