Singapore
February 25, 2025 — April 25, 2025
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Singapore! The island off the tip of Malay Peninsula. The country where all flights are domestic!
1 History
Laszlo Montgomery’s History of Singapore is pretty good.
1.1 Cleopatra Wong
The last time I was in Singapore, I stayed in a 2-bit backpacker joint. There was an aspiring filmmaker from (IIRC?) Kerala there, who was in town to get finance to remake the film that, IMO, tells you everything about the foundation of ASEAN, Cleopatra Wong. We stayed up until way too late, effusing about our mutual obsession (to be clear, he was more obsessed than me, because I wasn’t pitching for funding). I regret that I lost his contact details because I would love to see that film remade.
Haven’t heard of it? Here is the background: Cleopatra Wong Is the Forgotten Movie Star That Singapore Needs Right Now.
2 Governance
Absolutely fascinating.
Here are some light intros from outsiders:
- How Singapore gets things done — The Critic Magazine
- Donella Meadows, Singapore Leads the Good Life Under a Benevolent Dictator
That doesn’t even scratch the surface though. Singapore’s system is wide and deep and subtle.
3 Fashion
Batik stores full of Indonesian imports! That also do mail order! Much easier than extracting Batik from Indonesia.
Some at my price point:
Many more listed here
4 Transport
Obviously I mostly care about trains: See Train travel guide: Singapore - Kuala Lumpur - Penang - Bangkok