Singapore Non-Flyer

This is the Singapore Flyer, currently the tallest observation wheel in the world, standing at 165m.

It is also the world's tallest white elephant as it is not "flying" at the moment. A short circuit in one of the motors caused it to breakdown on the 23rd Dec. 173 people were stranded for up to six hours. As usual, the authorities want to make sure that the Flyer is safe before it can start operations again. Aiya, none of the 173 people were in any danger at all. They were just stuck in the pods. Food, water and even "methods of relieving themselves" were provided. I'm assuming a potable potty of sorts? So it couldn't have been all that bad. I think people need to understand and accept that these sort of things do happen. This is not a perfect world.

Singaporeans can stand in line for HOURS, come rain or shine, to buy a Hello Kitty from McDonald's or bak-kwa from that Chinatown shop and not complain, not a whimper. But they will complain and complain when there are no seats on the MRT or when they have to wait too long for the buses. WTF.

OK, back to my flyer story.. although I'm proud of Singapore and its many achievements, including the Flyer.. I think it is one of the plain-est, boring-est wheels ever. From afar, it looks like a caricature of a lady's head with rollers in her hair. The capsules on the London Eye look like little space pods. Ours look like recycled oil drums. The design of our wheel? Blah! A bicycle has better looking spokes. Look at the Southern Star! It is so pretty! Need I say more? I'm posting some pictures of other wheels around the world for comparison. You be the judge.