I'm in the lounge at Terminal 1 of Changi Airport waiting to be called for the delayed QF31, my first flight on the A380. I'll make it back in time to get down to Cardiff for Wales v Australia on Saturday. I took this photo from my hotel balcony this morning. Its the first hotel I ever stayed at in Singapore over a decade ago. I was out to speak at a conference on knowledge management for IPQC. I let the local IBM people know I was coming but I was ignored so I had a whole week to myself bar the two days of the conference. Back then the area around the hotel was either undeveloped or a building site. Now we have a host of shopping malls and the new arts centre. The wider perspective of the picture below shows the latest development just off Marina Bay.
I little knew then how close I would get to this small country of five million people, where you can traverse the whole island in less than two hours. Cognitive Edge is based there, and we have just taken on three more staff, all locals, to provide support and development for the network. I've had Chicken Rice (one of the greatest national dishes) more or less every day in its many varieties. As always I have had interesting discussions with interesting people. I haven't seen a police man all week (just in case any idiot out there is thinking of the stereotypes) and at no point have I felt at any risk walking back late at night.. Funny really, this former colony now exceeds its ex imperial master on several economic scales. has the highest rate of inter racial marriage anywhere in the world (one of the best cultural indicators that one) and and an élete education system.
I'll be back again several times next year. I may even move out here more permanently when my younger child goes to University - mind you I would miss the Rugby.
Comments (3)
Sorry to be a -ve on this one, DS ... but since forcibly having had my hair cut in 1974 on the way back from the UK, by the most obedient agents of the Lee Kuan Yew dynasty, I fail to see the attraction in Singapore. Sure the trains run on time (and Benito would be very much at home I think), and the whole place feels like a mega department store, but, personally, I'm rather more inclined towards democracy in its true complex flowering. Comes down to something very subtle, intangible and personal I guess. Culture I think. But I admit, I do like to fly with their airline!
Posted by rc | December 1, 2009 5:40 AM
Posted on December 1, 2009 05:40
I remember some far more traumatic encounters with the police in Derry and the Northern Territories of your own country back in the 70s RC. As I remember it democracy in those two places was confined to Protestants in the first case and white folk in the other.
I don't hold it against them mind you, still prepared to visit there although I am not wild about their airlines.
Posted by Dave Snowden![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.cognitive-edge.com/blogs/dave/nav-commenters.gif)
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December 1, 2009 7:06 AM
Posted on December 1, 2009 07:06
Of course you are correct in this reply. Tough times I agree, and my free state-sponsored short-back-and-sides sounds small scale and petty by comparison: but it is the principle!
(and if I had, at 18 yeas of age, refused to comply then I may well have had experiences to compete with yours)
The 70's in this region were only a short decade from the mass killings in Indonesia associated with military coups, army generals and regime change. And we won't mention Timor Leste.
Yes, indeed, things were dark then, unlike now! And if the truth be known, we are still trying to expunge the effects of British colonial empire from the system and the culture. I'm trying to get some research going on this topic right now actually.
I'll still fly SA by preference (although I may take Cathay Pacific through HK to Vancouver next time) but I would not bother leaving the airport unless there was a real business need etc.
Posted by rc | December 1, 2009 11:27 AM
Posted on December 1, 2009 11:27