Singapore as Asia’s financial hub and premier maritime port – many colleagues used to argue – is the epitome of the western world’s organizational efficiency. Virtually everything is in order: everyone falls in line in the buses or trains. No arrogant Caucasian foreigners. You know exactly how much you will spend from Point A to B. No qualm about that.

I would agree also that it has the ‘best airport’ and the ‘best airline’. But I will write more on these concerns in my upcoming articles. Most of my past trips here were as transient passenger at the airport – or stayed overnight at outside hotel.

Meantime, I am drafting a travelogue about our family trip here in 2014. Although we travelled here on a very limited budget, we had the chance to see some of its tourist destinations, to experience the games and rides at the Universal Studios, and to taste some of its unique food including bak kut teh. In short, Singapore could also be family-friendly and not necessarily expensive.