Often compared with Hong Kong as being the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ Singapore is a functioning dictatorship in south-east Asia. A centre for business and tourism I’ve spent a small amount of time here, normally on my way to or from somewhere else. It’s a good getaway place, though I’m not sure I could live here.

When: June 1994 when backpacking, 2003 for a weekend with a friend, November 2007 for a weekend wedding.

Who: with a friend and with A.

How: 1994: in overland from Malaysia and flew out to Indonesia, 2003, 2007 in and out by plane.

Weather: tropical. Hot and humid year round with thunderstorms

Food: Excellent!!! the food courts are superb – lots of different stalls selling malay, chinese, indian, singaporian food, choose and eat with your friends at a table in the the middle. Everyone can have exactly what they want. Clarke Quay and Boat Quay have lots of restaurants and bars with outside seating – very pleasant.

Sights & Activities: Walking tours we did one with The Original Singapore Walks, Little India, Changi War museum, the island of Sentosa, art galleries, eating & drinking, shopping

Surprises: how really very clean it really is, how wonderful it is to eat outside (not something Hong Kong seems to encourage)

Tips: have a drink at the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel for a taste of old colonial luxury