Sentosa, Singapore’s staycation island, has a surprising history

(CNN) — It used to be known as Pulau Blakang Mati. Some translate the name politely as “the island of woe,” but the most cited translation is “the island behind which lies death.”

Now, it’s called Sentosa, from the Malay word for peaceful. Filled with theme parks, beaches, luxury resorts, casinos and other amusements, it’s Singapore’s primary island for staycations and is one of the city’s most popular destinations for international tourists.

But how did it all begin?

Fifty years ago this September, the nascent country of Singapore formed the Singapore Development Corporation (SDC), which — as its name indicates — was designed to transform a then rural, mostly uninhabited island into an urban playground.

A Malay island

The 500-hectare island is shaped like the large end of a smoking pipe, curving around the southern side of what is now Singapore. Its shape and position made it a perfect spot for traders traveling to and from Malaysia — and a regular hideout for the pirates who raided these ships.

There were three primary kampongs (villages) here: Ayer Bandera, Serapong and Blakan Mati. Residents of the island were a mix of Chinese, Malay and Bugis (from Indonesia’s Sulawesi island).

Then, in 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in what would become the Lion City.

The British statesman left an indelible stamp not only on Singapore but on much of East Asia, which he explored and wrote about during his diplomatic posts there.

During the second half of the 19th century, the British began building fortifications around Singapore. On Sentosa, there were four of these — Fort Serapong (near the center of the island), Fort Connaught, the Imbiah Battery and Fort Siloso (on the far northwest tip).

While Singapore was controlled by the British, soldiers lived on Pulau Blakang Mati. Malay, Chinese and Indian laborers did laundry, steered sampan boats and cleared land for the White military members.

Although Sentosa’s moniker was changed in 1970, history buffs will still recognize the names of many of the places dotted around the island. Fort Siloso — now a public park and history museum — is still there, but a beach,…