Last week, I returned to Singapore after 22 years. In those days, I was handling the International Business for Exide batteries and my colleagues at the Singapore office played a significant role in sourcing business in South East Asia. Typically, one covered the Malaysia and Singapore markets in these visits.
Returning after such a long gap and with only one evening to spare, I knew I had to make it to the Marina Bay. Like any other major global city, Singapore keeps rejuvenating and reinventing to stay relevant and the Marina Bay was the spot for feeling the pulse. The redevelopment has included restoring historical landmarks, introducing new landmark buildings and the development of the Marina Bay. Today, a stock-shot of Singapore is the Marina Sands Skypark and Sands Theatre, a shift from the endearing Merlion. Then, I had an early glimpse of this transformation. The grand old building of The Fullerton (constructed in 1928) turned into a luxurious five-star hotel after housing for many years various government departments. The building's original facade has been retained and refurbished with its interior remodeled. From Marina Bay and all the way up the Singapore River Banks, the renewed Singapore was evident. In buildings and areas like One Fullerton, once the Master Attendant's Pier (and, our conference venue) , the old Waterboat office, Clifford Pier and old favorites like Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. What's more, the city mascot the Merlion had also moved position in these intervening years.
The most personal moment was when my ex-colleague recommended that we take the Marina boat ride. He was responsible for moving the authorities to take a shift from the polluting, noisy, diesel engines to silent battery power, sometime around 2007. As I took videos, he smilingly reminded me that he had made it a noise free possibility!
On the flight back, I couldn't help but reflect on that "me" in Singapore in the earlier days and now. The visits used to be a fascinating whirlwind of bay-side dinners and shopping after a long day's work. There was an awe about the stores, the brands, the social gaiety and mouth watering seafood. While my colleague still suggested that I should check out the Marina Arcade Ralph Lauren and Apple experience centers for the unique customer experience, I demurred. The national-international divide has blurred over the years. The lights, the malls and the food are no longer as fascinating.
This visit, post the river ride, one sat and relaxed with a drink. Of course, there was a lot of catching up we had to do on the personal front. As we talked, I observed life go by in this captivating city. One still marvels at the vibrant riverfront, the attention to preserving heritage even as the city is continuously modernizing, the concentration of tourists, work-travelers and locals in open-air restaurants along the riverfront exuding collective energy.
I didn't have the time to check out the green-drive at Changi airport or Gardens by the Bay and also the new generation green-terraced apartments. What remains unchanged and uniquely defines the success of the city is what I term "speed and efficiency at work". The immigration, the hotel, currency exchange, the meetings were the few touchpoints I could test in this 24-hour trip and I felt again that awe of yesteryears.
