They’ve done an incredible job.
In the mid 20th century Singapore was a run-down island full of slums, racial tension and poverty. In the second half of the 20th century, it transformed itself into an economic power (helped by its port and ability to trade).
Today it has been completely transformed. The slums are gone and a major building programme has transformed the place. It is pleasant to walk about and there is lots to see – including some architectural wonders – like the Marina Sands Bay hotel and the supertrees.
It still has some fairly quaint areas – though I would really have liked to have tasted the ‘colour’ and chaos of the old place. It has become a bit too touristy.
Inside the Marina Sands Bay hotel.
The incredible supertrees.
A show of affluence.
Into the city.
Opher's World 
I had a work colleague some year’s back took New Year there.
A place without much by way of seasons, and dark by 7.30 year round. But clean.
Very clean and very wealthy.
As it happens, Opher, the only head of state I have ever known personally is Lee Hsien Loong. I met him when I was at Cambridge, and had three or four chats with him. He seemed an OK guy – and in the 1973 maths exams, if you had scored the number of marks by which he beat the next man, you’d have got a First!
But “Daddy” required him to become an army officer. And that’s why he is where he is now.
Loong isn’t a bad guy, which is why people in Singapore are prosperous, compared with their neighbours. But even he has become corrupted by politics.
That must have been an interesting meeting. A clever guy.
Wow, what a beautiful and vibrant place. I think Singapore is doing very well and is really evolving.
We’ve stopped there a few times. One thing I tried was blue cheese ice cream! Surprisingly good!
Omg that’s so fascinating. Did it taste like cheese or was it flavoured?
It did actually taste of blue cheese but it was sweet and creamy. I don’t know why it worked but it did.
Hmm that’s so interesting.
I’ve been thinking about actually making some. Such a strange idea – but then Chinese cuisine juxtaposes sweet and sour.