Singapore: One Flag, Many Countries

Don't let Singapore's small size fool you. Although the city-state occupies a marshy island only half as large as Los Angeles, it's bursting at the seams with charm, color and character.

The melting pot of Asia, Singapore is not only multilingual, but multicultural as well. This is perhaps most evident in its ethnic neighborhoods, which quite literally allow you to travel to several countries in the span of a single day.

Let me show you what I'm talking about!

Singapore's most conspicuous cityscape is its central business district, centered around the Singapore Marina. With towering skyscrapers, swanky cafés and iconic structures like the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the Singapore "Merlion" statue, downtown Singapore is like New York City in Southeast Asia!

After you've had your fill of the concrete jungle, hop on to the Singapore MRT and ride it to "Little India" station. Although you've been traveling just 15 minutes or so, you'll feel like you've hopped a Singapore Airlines flight to Colombo or Chennai.

As its name suggests, Little India is where much of Singapore's Tamil Indian community resides. Centered around the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Hindu Temple, the district is also home to Indian shops, businesses and restaurants. Lunch, anyone?

Once you've scarfed down a few samosas, get back on the MRT and this time, disembark at "Chinatown" station. The largest and, arguably, most lively of Singapore's ethnic neighborhoods, Chinatown frames the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of China amid a backdrop that is decidedly Singapore.

Chinatown is a foodie's paradise, with home-cooked Chinese, Taiwanese and Singaporean specialties, including famous chili crab. After you've finished eating, have a stroll through the colorful street markets, which really kicks into high gear around the time the sun is setting.

Tired yet? I hope not, because there's one more neighborhood to go. Well, not so much as a neighborhood as a street -- Arab Street, located just a short walk from the "Bugis" MRT stop. You'll know you're in the right place when you see the Sultan Mosque towering above you.

As is the case with Little India and Chinatown, where Arab Street really shines is its food. I personally recommend that you pop into Singapore Zam Zam, a no-frills eateries that could just as well be in Cairo or Muscat. Zam Zam is famous for a dish called "Murtabak," but you can choose something else from the wall-sized menu if that's not your style.

OK, you now have my permission to be exhausted -- you've just taken a trip around the world in a few hours! Still hungry for more Singapore fun? End your with drinks and dancing in lively Tanjong Pagar.