After an 8 hour flight from my hometown of Brisbane our plane was about to land at Changi Airport, Singapore. Over the intercom the chirpy voice of a flight attendant who I suspected was still feeling the effects of celebrating the New Year just prior to starting her shift, "The local time in Singapore is 5:20 pm, Singapore is experiencing light showers and cloud cover, the importation of drugs into Singapore will result in the death penalty, Thank You!", finishing on a very cheery intonation. My mum and I simultaneously burst into laughter at the paradox of her affect and the intended message. We were the only ones that laughed, as usual. The token gay flight attendant who had been looking after us, asked us which program we were watching that was so hilarious. He soon confirmed our suspicions of how the flight attended had celebrated the new year.
On the way to our hotel, the taxi driver also raised the issue of the death penalty for drug importation. He went onto explain many other laws in Singapore and the resulting punishments. The importation of chewing gum was also illegal *shifty eyes* - thankfully my bags were not searched at the airport as this carries a $10,000 fine and 1 year in jail. Other laws include littering - $1000, littering x 2 - $2000 plus the opportunity to wear a bright orange vest and collect litter in public, vandalism - caning, “Outrage of Modesty”- 2 years prison, unnatural sex - $1500. Other illegal behaviours which bring a harsh penalty include not flushing a toilet, smoking in public places, urinating in a lift, jaywalking and spitting.
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| The Hotel Foyer |
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| Street Christmas decorations |
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| Outside the Esplanade |
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| Marina Bay Sands |
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