Miles Collins

Bringing back the memories….

Yesterday saw the first Singapore Formula One Grand Prix, a new race track for the finest racing drivers in the world (American Indy car fans may disagree!) to navigate at break-neck speeds. It was interesting as much as it was the first ever night race on the Grand Prix circuit and the track was full of bumps, twists and turns to test the drivers in already unbearable heat to the limit.

I am not a huge Grand Prix fan, I appreciate it for the immense skill of the drivers and the technical wizardry of the engineers and designers of the cars but much of the technical aspects which are part of the attraction of the sport are lost on me. Lewis Hamilton is England’s (sorry, Britain’s) new wonderboy. He’s very young and currently beating everybody else so all of the country are motor racing fans until he stops winning and we’ll not bother watching anymore-remember rugby? the country was awash with England rugby shirts when we won the world cup but what’s happened to the so called fans now we are struggling?

Once again I digress, the reason behind this post, if you’re still awake is that it was held at one of my favourite places in the world, Marina Bay in Singapore. I love Singapore and I have stayed at Marina Bay and enjoyed its hospitality on several occasions (not like that) The commentator talked of how Asia has (so far) escaped the ‘credit crunch’ and how much time and money had been sunk into this event. He is right, Singapore is a success story and justly proud of itself.

I have always said that Singapore is a good introduction to Asia. It’s a safe bet for the first time visitor. There are the more intrepid travellers out there who might disagree and say that Singapore is too sterile, too modern but I disagree. Singapore is, to steal a cliche, a melting pot of everything that is so fantastic about South East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. I find it to be a fascinating mix of modern and colonial, history and technology, rich and poor. It’s got the lot.

From the remarkable sights, sounds and smells of the unique districts of Little India, Chinatown and the Arab Quarter to the elegance of the five star hotels of my personal favourites the Shangri-La and the incomparable Raffles to tea shops and street food, Singapore is a delight. Chinese New Year is a great time to visit, the streets are awash with colour and the occasion is celebrated with a showcase of wonderful food, regional specialities abound and it is a must for any food lover.

Singapore is a country where Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim temples stand tall and proud, it provides a unique introduction to the beauty of those religeons as well as a place for reflection and prayer for the Singapore people caught in the middle of a country embracing technological advances whilst retaining its heritage. No country is perfect or free from human rights or globalisation issues but for me it’s just a great place to absorb the culture of the region.