Strange, the very first time I came to Singapore (more than 20 years ago), I went back and wrote a column titled, "Singapore - what a bore!" It really was a pretty dull place in those days - sanitised and anti -septic, with a goody goody vibe and insane rules that drove me nuts. But over the past 10 years, S'Pore has relaxed and changed to such a dramatic extent, it has become one of my all time favourite destinations .... especially for a short break. Culturally, it remains bleak. Censorship codes are strong and very much in place ( though 'Desperate Housewives' is shown - but with cuts, of course). But in a world where it has become harder and harder to find holiday destinations that are entirely 'safe', S'Pore promises a stress free time since you know you are in a place where everybody but everybody behaves!Locals are talking morosely about the economic down turn, business is down by 40% and the only good aspect of the recession is how swiftly the government has stepped in to save the jobs held by Singaporeans. The bail out has come at a good time - Chinese New Year, but the Dragon Dancers have lost their customary energy and bounce. The Year of the Ox is not good for business, and locals have decided to wait it out patiently. Most nightclubs and restaurants are semi empty. Clarke Quay was comparitively thanda on a friday night, with a listless belly dancer trying to chuff up the crowd at a sheesha bar. Villa Bali, and The Red Dot,Brazil...places which used to be jam packed and hard to access without reservations, welcome walk in customers. The New Asia Bar on the 70th floor of Swiss Hotel was sparsely populated, with a couple of bridal showers being hosted in far corners. Most malls, including Vivo City, had thin crowds over the weekend..... and the roadside food stalls looked depressingly deserted.

But the weather has been splendid. As has the company . It was great catching up with my son Ranadip and nephew Amartya. One an advertising professional, the other a management student . They know their Singapore, and thanks to them, I'm getting to know it better, too.

Thanks for the show of hands , guys. I am most encouraged by the response. As for those flooding this space with their hate mail - it's their problem. They don't have to visit. Ditto for the malice and misinformation which frankly, don't deserve a come back. One responds only to charges that count, or can be taken seriously in the first place. I have no time for abuses - only cowards hiding behind anonymity , resort to such tactics..... and earn contempt, not comment.

To my other, far more civilised blogdosts, I can only say, "Stick around. We have a bond that I truly value. Dhanyavad for the feedback and support." There are a couple of recent columns I shall post on my return to Mumbai. Am just about getting the hang of my son's Mac. Bear with me till thursday. Cheers. I am off to Sentosa and Prive for a chilled out sunday afternoon...