Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.

It serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia, and many travelers find themselves here on their way in or out of the region. The airport is convenient and offers many cheap flights throughout the region and the world. It's nice to allow yourself at least two or three days to explore the area as there are some great neighborhoods and interesting sights worth visiting.

Within the city, the majority of the population is of Indian, Malay, or Chinese descent. These cultures have dramatically influenced the areas culture, food and religion. You'll find an impressive Little India area with many good dining and shopping options. Likewise, the Chinatown area has some great food choices and discounts stores where you can pick up any number of things.

Singapore is more expensive than other cities in Southeast Asia, but it is still significantly cheaper than most western cities. There many hostels in the city where you can stay for cheap, or you can arrange a nice hotel for a fraction of what you might pay at home. Food is also quite cheap. There are many seafood restaurants around town that offer some wonderful Asian style dishes. As a general rule, you can expect to pay about two thirds of what you would pay for a corresponding meal in the United States.

Taxis are convenient and easy to catch in Singapore. They run off of a meter and prices are set. There's also a very convenient and affordable metro system that will take you most places in the city that you could want to go.

Chinatown: This is a fascinating area in downtown Singapore that is great for shopping and eating. While much of Singapore is influenced by the Chinese culture, this neighborhood in particular retains much of its old world charm. The area between Pagoda Street and Smith Street is probably the most touristy section and if you south or east you'll find more authentic sections.
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: This park offers a little bit of nature in an urban environment and it is a nice little escape if you're ready to get away from the crowds. It's in the middle of Singapore and is on the slopes of the cities highest hill, making it a nice place to take a walk or relax in quiet for a little while.
Orchard Road: This is the best high end shopping district in the city, great for cloths and gift shopping. You'll find many western chain clothing stores along the street. There are also some high end restaurants that sell some good food of varying styles.

Chilli Crab: This dish is made with a whole crab that is coated in chilli sauce. The dish typically uses a mud crab which is common in the area. The sauce is made from tomatoes and chillies, although it is surprisingly mild with very little spice.
Laksa: This is a coconut curry soup made with noodles and shrimp. It is typically a very spicy dish. It's a combination dish that merges the cuisines of China and Malaysia with a subtle influence from Indonesia.
Popiah: These are popular spring rolls that are available either fresh or fried. They are often filled with vegetables and shrimp and are wrapped in a rice flour wrapper.