Journal Entry 42

24.06.2026

Ich habe Singapur ins Herz geschlossen! Meeting Fräulein Heng’s family this afternoon was the pinnacle of our visit to Singapore, at least it was mine. I was honored to meet her brother, sisters, and extended family. Jonas and I soaked up stories of when Fräulein Heng was a little girl living in Singapore, and what inspired her to start a new life in Dorstenland.

Fräulein Heng and her brother served us chicken curry that they made from scratch. Fräulein Heng knows how much I enjoy her cooking, particularly chicken curry. There were many times that I would find her squatting outside my home’s kitchen door, crushing dried red peppers in a grey-stoned mortar with a pestle for the curry. Those were memorable conversations when Fräulein Heng would give me blunt feedback about my actions, behaviors, and direction in life. I never argued. I listened and took her message to heart.

King Jonas left the visit with family early to accompany our prime minister on a sightseeing tour, guided by representatives from the Singaporean government. After my visit with Fräulein Heng and her family, I explored the shopping centers in the core of downtown. To be honest, I admit I was lost more than once in what seemed an endless number of stores

While enjoying the view of the Merlion as night fell, I was pleasantly surprised when the King and Sabine greeted me as I stared at the water rushing out of the Merlion’s mouth. Of course, Jonas handed Sabine his phone and asked her to take a picture of the two of us with the Merlion and cityscape behind us. To be fair, I appreciated that he asked Sabine to take our picture. There is no doubt I will frame this picture to display in my home or office.

Tomorrow are trade talks, then Jonas and I will head back home to Eberbach. Ich liebe Singapur!