Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles could not possibly have foreseen what lay in store for Singapore when he first stepped ashore in 1819. This once sleepy trading post of the British empire is today a bustling centre for trade.
In less than two centuries, its jungle wilderness has been replaced by a thick forest of skyscrapers and futuristic buildings. Yet in the midst of this metropolitan sprawl, traces of old Singapore can still be found - the colonial-style architecture of Parliament house, restored shophouses along Emerald Hill and the old coffee-shops that line the streets of Chinatown.
Equipped with an entrepreneurial spirit and an unwavering determination to succeed, Singapore's people have returned this small city-state into a hi-tech business and financial hub. The diverse ethnic groups which call Singapore their home have, at the same time, not abandoned their unique customs and traditions. These are handed down from one generation to the next, ensuring the preservation of these rich traditions which make Singapore the dynamic city that it is.
The Singapore story is one of perseverance and determination. This book attempts to capture the spirit of a thoroughly modern nation that still retains much of its old world charm.
