My Cabbie Is a Tour Guide

I don't know why, but every time I come to Singapore I take the airport shuttle bus which is shared among 6 to 7 people, instead of taking my own taxi. It's true that the fare is cheaper at S$7, but it's not really the point - the company pays for the transportation costs anyway. Just a habit, I guess. Now, this taxi driver we got is a talkative one. By the time we got to the city, he has already interviewed us - where we're from and what we're doing in Singapore. He also gave us a short background of Singapore's history and a few important facts and figures.

Did you know that:

• Singapore has a total area of about 700 sq. m.
• It's about 130 kms. from the equator, which explains its tropical climate.
• It was founded by Sir Raffles about 200 years ago.
• Population is about 4.4 million - 75% Chinese, 18% Malay, 5% Indian, and others.
• 80% of the people lives in HDB flats. Don't ask me what HDB stands for, but it's government-subsidized apartment units.
• A 3BR unit would cost around S$150k; a 4BR unit is around S$250k, while a 5BR one will set you back by S$350k. A condominium unit is around S$500k. If you've got money to spare, landed property starts at S$1.5M.
• Most of Singapore's highways are flanked by raintrees, also called the 5pm tree because it's leaves fold up during that time. When its leaves fall off, they shrivel and shrink, and are easily carried away by wind.