Paul Lindberg

June 15 Singapore and Ciska's tour
06-25-06 | 01:40

After a walk around my area in Singapore, I knew that I had left the Chinese centric world behind. Everywhere you walked, you could see the different sides of Asia, India, Malay, and China. Singapore is a clean and controlled place. Luckily I was going to meet up with a photographer living in Singapore, Ciska Tobing.

Ciska is originally from Indonesia but has lived in Singapore for over 6 years. She is currently working and photographing all across Asia with a main focus on Indonesia. One of her dreams is to promote Indonesia as tourist destination for Asian tourists. Ciska has been all over the world more than once over. She takes amazing pictures. Please check out her pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/ciskatobing .

My tour of Singapore started in Orchard, the main shopping district. The clean and controlled world was on full display. Ciska told me that it is illegal for someone to see you in your own house naked. That is if you are seen, you get a fine for being naked. Shouldn't it be the other way around?

There is of course the new law of no smoking in cafe effective July 1st, 2006. There is a fine which will be exercised quite strictly. Everyone knows the no gum law but this controlled atmosphere does have its benefits but at what cost is the real question.

After our tour of Orchard, we went to the waterfront area where Ciska was meeting her friends for a birthday party for her Australian friend, Mark. Ciska's circle of friends come from all over because she befriends other expats who stay usually for about two year stints. So Ciska has friends all over the world. Ciska has some amazing pictures from Brazil.

After our Japanese birthday dinner, I watched a little of World Cup before heading back for the night. What a great day in Singapore.

Thank you so much Ciska and all her friends especially Mark for allowing me to be part of his party.