Last day in Singapore, so took a walk down o th new flower gardens. The are built on reclaimed land near the marina and are spectacular.

I'm not sure what the structures are, but you can climb up some of them for wonderful views over the whole area.

Finished my trip with a gentle walk along he river back to the hotel, then catching the train to the airport.

Took the train up to the old ford motor factory in Bukit Batok. Nothing special, you may think about an old defunct car factory, but this has an important historical legacy for Singapore as it was here that the British signed the unconditional surrender to the troops of Japan, in 1942.

What followed was four years of misery for the inhabitants, especially the Chinese who were massacred in bulk. Anyone with any anti Japanese leaning was disposed with, often in the most brutal manner.

The factory is now a museum and is filled with sobering displays, including the table where the surrender was signed.

Finished the day with a trip to the top of the sky park, the building that looks like a ship, for a wonderful view of the city as night fell..

Got out into the country today. Well thats a bit of an exaggeration as Singapore is so built up it doesn't have any real countryside, but it does have some wonderful parks and open spaces.

Walked the Southern Ridges from Kent Ridge to Mount Fabor. There are some wonderful views over the harbour, which is jam packed with ships loaded with containers. The walk takes you across the Henderson Waves, a footbridge suspended 36m above the road. Not for those who are afraid of heights.

Neither is the cable car which propels you from the top of Mount Fabor, across the harbour, to the island of Sentosa. The island is a kind of Blackpool in the sun, a pleasure resort, where the main objective is to get you to spend money on tacky rides. Nice to wander around though and you can stroll right down to the sea.

Have left the chaotic, random, dusty, disorganised city of Colombo and arrived in the organised, spotless, efficient clean city of Singapore. Quite a contrast.

Apart from a few plane changes at Changi, I've only visited Singapore once before, on a day trip from Malaysia. It was 12 years ago and so much in the city has changed.

They have moved the Merlion for a start, the proud symbol of the city that once stood at the river mouth. The who waterfront has been redeveloped with some amazing buildings to be seen and the Merlion now spouts into the Marina.

Spent the day exploring the old town. Stopped at Raffles, but only for a pic, and climbed the forbidden hill. The Kings of Singapoura had their palace up here, now its a lovely place to stroll.