SINGAPORE AT NIGHT

Keep in mind that your blogger is a retired surgeon and not a party animal. I had my fun while training in NYC back in the '80's. Despite being in a rigourous every other night call program, we would still find time to blow off some steam at Studio 54, which was just a few blocks south from The Roosevelt Hospital (now know as Mt Sinai West) or go out to Fire Island and hang in the Pines for the weekend. Those were the days when Warhol, Bianca, Liza held court at Studio 54 and nothing was off limits until the shock of the early AIDS epidemic became a reality.

During our evening tour, we visited several key attractions, such as the light show at the Gardens by the Bay, had dinner at a hawker center (a local gathering of street food vendors), and even drove through the red-light district. The city lights up beautifully at night.

The origins of hawker centers trace back to initial attempts to regulate the safety of street food and generate revenue for the city through rent. City leaders concluded that it would be more hygienic to replace roaming food carts with these centers. These centers can house a few hundred vendors offering a wide variety of food options for everyone. The beef and pork satay were simple and delicious.

There were two light shows on opposite sides of the Gardens by the Bay. One intriguing feature of one show was the use of water spray to project images, enhancing the visual experience with an additional dimension. The show within the garden used large artificial palms to alter the lights, producing an effect akin to fireworks without actually employing them.

Visiting the red-light district was somewhat unexpected, but Singapore's history is closely linked to its role as a longstanding port for sailors. Where sailors gather, prostitution often follows. Similar to their approach with street food, city officials realized they could better regulate the health of sex workers and generate revenue from the establishments. We decided to stay in our vehicle and take a quick look from our minivan. The area offered something for everyone, straight, gay and some transvestite houses. Unlike Amsterdam’s red-light district, there were no sex workers displayed in storefront windows.