1. The name Singapore comes from the Malay words ‘Singa’ for lion and ‘Pura’ for city. Sir Stamford Raffles is credited to be the architect of Singapore. In 1818, he was tasked to find a port to protect the naval interests of the East India Company’s burgeoning spice trade from the advances made by the Dutch. Raffles identified Singapore and developed it alongside Penang and Malacca as the Straits Settlements by 1826.

2. Today, Singapore is a city state that resembles any developed western country economically but it is a nanny state with a one party democracy. The state builds (and partly) subsidizes housing for almost 80% of the population. Consequently, Singapore has highest home ownership rate in the world after Romania. Cars are obscenely expensive but fantastic public transport makes it easy for the most part. While code of conduct for citizens may be a mile long, the country is cleaner, safer and prosperous than most.

3. Singapore is one of the few places where the airport is by itself is a place of interest. It even has a movie theater. The Merlion statue was much smaller than I imagined to be but the view of Marina Bay Sands from there is pretty cool. Orchard road is like 5th Ave of NYC, it is worth a visit if your into shopping global brands.

4. Singaporean cuisine is best represented by the likes of Laksa, Roti Prata, Chicken Rice, Fish Head Curry. These dishes bring together the culinary prowess of Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures. Laksa may feel like a kitchen sink dish at first but it is an explosion of complex flavor. it is a cousin to pho and ramen but usually made with coconut milk or tamarind as a base, fish and shrimp variants are also popular. Kaya toast is another local favorite – toast with kaya jam is made with coconut milk, eggs and sugar and a healthy dose of butter.

 

5. Singapore is yet another city built along a river – Singapore river. Once a heavily trafficked trading port, it now exists mostly to provide aesthetic appeal to the developments along its banks. It now drains into the Marina Bay reservoir instead of the sea. Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Roberston are remnants of the trading heritage of Singapore. Quays are platforms built along the banks of a river to help move people and goods off the boats. Singapore’s quays have all been repurposed as water front entertainment areas.