January 6, 2026
Morning bus today to Singapore, with immigration clearance at the causeway between the two nations. Singapore was a small fishing village that became an big entrepôt for international trade, attracting immigrants from China and India, in addition to the local Malays. At the end of the British Colonial era, the ethnically heterogeneous colony chose not to join Malaysia, instead forming its own city-state. There are four official languages: Mandarin Chinese, Tamil, Malay and English. Most people speak their natal tounge plus English.
Wandering to the National Gallery, there was a special exhibit on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, which I skipped. I viewed the general collections, emphasizing art depicting the history of Singapore and southeast Asia.
Raffles Hotel, home of the Singapore sling cocktail
The Art Museum's architecture betrays the buildings' origins as Colonial administrative centers
Special exhibit from the MFA in Boston. I can see these at home
Travel poster art
View of Songapore, late 1800s
"Here they come," depicting efforts to close informal marketplaces in the 1960s
Teaching Mandarin
From the resident Chinese community
Traditional marriage certificate
Commissioned scenes of Malaya, late 1800s
Cambodia propaganda painting, 1970s
Fascinating sunset painting
Filipinos aiding the Japanese. The original was destroyed during the war and was reproduced by the artist in the 1970s
Signs of the former use of the buildings as an administrative center & courthouse
Ship design spanning the top of 3 apartment buildings
Anglican church yard in the middle of the city
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