Nothing Much to Do in Singapore

Singapore's the only country in the world where one needs to spend some time in comtemplation before deciding where head to on a lazy afternoon. I have been caught in this 'dilemma' for far too many times, so much so that it has become an increasingly frustrating affair. It's a classic case of been there, done that.

Let me deliver the facts: Singapore has only one shopping district and that's the area around Orchard and City Hall, or more precisely, the area down south. How many times have I been there? Countless. Would it hurt to add another shopping district here? I'd suggest that one of the rather-undeveloped areas, namely Pasir Ris (surprisingly still a ulu ulu area!), Punggol and Sengkang area be developed into a shopping district. There's nothing worse than passing by the same building, the same road in Orchard for the 3rd time in a week.

Some of you may beg to differ. There's indeed another shopping district at Chinatown (or around Outram Park area), but do you really want to go there? Somehow, the weather's more humid there and the shops there are mostly run-down, selling merchandises that only your grandparents would be interested in. There is no good reason to visit Chinatown unless it's nearing Chinese New Year, but you wouldn't want to jostle with the ridiculous crowd, do you?

Okay, let's just say that you don't want to shop. Instead, you prefer to engage yourself in some activities. Alright, Singapore has a considerable number of attractions: The Singapor Zoo, Jurong Bird Park, Discovery Centre, Science Centre, The DHL Balloon, Downtown East, The Singapore Flyer, Sentosa, but come to think about it, all of them charge atrocious admission prices, if not ticket prices. Even some of the more unique activities like Paintball at Discovery Centre and Go-Karting at Jurong (beside the KFC building) are luxuries not to be engaged in frequently.

Then there is the more viable option of participating in sports: cycling and wakeboarding and East Coast Park. Fun in the water at Jurong West Aquatic Centre, Jurong East Swimming Complex and Choa Chu Kang Swimming Complex (or Wild Wild Wet if you have the money). But I must admit that it gets dull really soon because there is ONLY that much to do.

And lastly, there is the cinema to fall back on should all else fail to materialise. But with increasing prices ($10 being the most expensive ticket price right now), going to the cinemas has become less attractive. Miscellaneous stuffs like playing billards and drinking count as activities too, but the latter doesn't really appeal to me unless in the presence of social company.

As you can see, all in all, there is REALLY nothing much to do in Singapore. Unless you are a drama or anime buff, renting boxests of those shows in truckloads and watching them at home, hard luck trying to find something to do in Singapore. Oh, wait, perhaps if you're a gamer, the effects of Singapore being a small country wouldn't hurt you that much, but then again, playing games for long periods of time can sometimes feel boring.

Now, don't get me started on sub-urban malls like White Sands, Tampines Mall, Tiong Bahru Plaze or IMM. There's nothing. Why do they exist in the first place? For your grocery needs and to provide food, of course. Otherwise, there's nothing. Don't bother wasting your time in the libraries or arcades.

OMG! Can the government please spend some money to develop a second shopping district!