San Diego Reader

The city-state of Singapore is known for being a "fine city," a title imbued with two very different meanings: one is that it's a fine city to live in, while the second refers to its infamously harsh fine system designed to keep the country in ship-shape order.

This city is impeccable clean. It makes Disneyland's Main Street look like the Bronx. How do they do it? Singapore levies multiple fines to maintain a squeaky-clean image.

Here are punishable offenses in Singapore:

• - Sale of cigarettes to minors (under age 18)
• - Sale or possession of chewing gum
• - Vandalism
• - Spitting
• - Littering
• - Urinating in elevators
• - Feeding the pigeons
• - Jaywalking
• - Possession of firecrackers (punishment: caning)
• - Eating or drinking in the subway
• - Not flushing the toilet
• - Possession or trafficking of >20 grams of drugs (punishment: death)

Now before you cross off this destination from your travel list, keep this in mind. Singapore is a city built for the traveler to explore: it has clean and efficient public transportation, low crime, an easy-to-navigate airport, and a diversity of food, culture and religions.

As part of my photo walk around the city, I took in the sights and smells of Little India, bargained at the Bugis Market and had a nice, cool drink while enjoying the views at the Clarke Quay.

Afterwards I headed out to the Marina Bay Sands Resort, the world's most expensive standalone casino property at $8 billion dollars.

I photographed the ArtScience Museum (part of the Marina Bay Sands Resort) with the Singapore skyline in the background. Billion-dollar views and the construction costs to match it.

If you have a chance to visit Singapore, please do so... just remember to flush the toilet.