On Singapore

Signage on the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Trains- Nov 2009

How does one compare Singapore and Kuala Lumpur?

They are sibling cities (technically Singapore is a microstate) in S.E. Asia that have more than their fair share of similarities in terms of history, culture, demographics, climate, and of course food. Still, while they bear more than a passing resemblance to one another there are significant differences between the two.

How to summarize those differences? I'll let their own signage do the talking. Compare the signs (above) on Singapore's MRT train with those on KL's LRT and you'll see what I'm talking about. The differences couldn't be more obvious.

Where one is efficient, polite, and uses internationally recognized symbols the other is 'unexpected,' just as effective, and full or more local 'character.'

For those whose frame of reference is oriented to the upper Midwest, the distinction between Minnesota's Twin Cities is another apt metaphor. While not necessarily designed by a drunken Irishman, the controlled-chaos of KL is the Saint Paul to straight-laced Singapore's Minneapolis.

Given my personal geography and predilection for the Eastern Twin Cityover the other, here on the Malaysian Peninsula I indeed wound up in the right town.

Okay. Enough with the glib comparisons. On with the pictures!

Just click here or look for the album on the right.