Singapore couldn’t be more different from the Philippines. With the exception of the weather they have little in common. Singapore is the second most densely populated country in the world (#1? Monaco) but is so well planned that it doesn’t feel crowded. It is the most expensive city in the world. It is known for its safety and cleanliness. There isn’t any graffiti or litter. There aren’t any homeless people. And it’s known for its shopping malls. For every Prada or Armani store on Fifth Ave. there are 10 on Orchard Rd.

But Singapore may be best known for its food. It has everything from hawker centers, some with hundreds of food stalls, to gourmet malls with restaurants by top chefs from around the world. My favorite local dishes so far are rojak (a very distinctive vegetable and fruit salad) and laksa (rice noodles with vegetables and shredded chicken in a spicy broth).

Tomorrow (Saturday) I’ll be home.