Showing results by narrator "Neil Humphreys" in All Categories

First published in 2006, Final Notes from a Great Island sees Humphreys embarking on a valedictory tour from his home in Toa Payoh before he leaves for a new life in Australia. He explores Singapore as he did when he first arrived—a newcomer on foot and inexperienced—visiting his favourite places: the countryside around Lim Chu Kang, the serene beaches of Kusu island, Sentosa, Sembawang Park, St. John's Island, Johor Bahru, and many more. Humphreys treks, cycles and even hitchhikes his way across this great island, encountering murderous dogs, dead cats, wild crocodiles and mad cyclists.

One year after his best-selling Notes From An Even Smaller Island had the whole of Singapore laughing helplessly; Neil Humphreys is still madly in love with his humble but stimulating existence on this sunny island. So much, in fact, that he now makes a living poking gentle fun at every oddball aspect of Singaporean life. In this highly anticipated sequel, the columnist with The Straits Times Newspaper unleashes a fresh selection from his popular pieces, with additional witty material on all the little wonders we have come to take for granted.

Singapore has been evolving at a blistering pace. Old Singapore is in danger of being left behind. As a result, active citizenry is taking off like never before with Singaporeans campaigning to save heritage sites such as Bukit Brown, Joo Chiat's HDB flats and Toa Payoh's Dragon Playground, with areas like Jalan Besar, Balestier and Tiong Bahru championed for their history. Nostalgia is spreading through the country.

Singapore got sexy and the country's best-selling author got jealous. After five years chasing echidnas and platypuses in Australia, Neil Humphreys returns to Singapore to see if the rumours are true. Like an old girlfriend getting a lusty makeover, the island transformed while Humphreys was away. Singapore is not just a sexier island, it's a different world.