3 years after my sister moved to Singapore we finally made it out there. My husband and I decided that 10 years of marriage was enough of an excuse to leave the children in my parents' capable hands and trek over to the other side of the world for a two-week holiday. We combined our Singapore fling with a week in Perth visiting friends who emigrated and packed in a lot of culture, food and drinks during our stay.
It was, as I'd expected, a visit where the modernness of the city mixes as nicely with its heritage as our overpriced drinks mixed with our thirst after a day exploring the city/country in the hot sun. The hundreds of pictures I took (I'll spare you most) don't capture the gorgeous smells of the food, the sounds of the ever ongoing building work across the city, the refreshing dips in the pool after a day walking in 35C heat and the bliss of stepping into an air conditioned uber/shop/restaurant/apartment. Here are some of the highlights of our first visit. As an aside, when Air France say "slimline" seat they mean "snuggle-under-the-armpit-of-thy-neighbour-for-twelve-hours-until-your-bottom-is-numb" seat. The food's alright though.
The iconic view of the Marina Bay Sands which welcomed us to the city on our first night. We had a very tasty glass of wine up there which I savoured every drop off. Not least because at 19 Singapore Dollars per glass I wanted to make it last. I needed to make it last.
We were lucky enough not to experience any downpours while we were out and about. There were plenty of people with umbrellas to shield themselves from the hot sun though. And these fellas.
Wandering along the Joo Chiat area is just an Instagram snap waiting to happen. Pastel coloured houses with shutters anyone?
Theme of day: try and take as many pictures with my sister channelling the twinning sisters emoji. We are very grown up, serious adults.
The Lau Pa Sat food court has to be every foodies' dream. One of the oldest hawker centers around and nestled amongst the towers of the CBD, these food stalls served us some of the most delicious treats we had all holiday. That Pad Thai. It was "yum", as the Australians say.
This statue represents infantile behaviour triggered by severe heat. Also, some children jumping in the river to cool themselves off.
We headed through the underground tunnels of the Fullerton hotel towards the marina where we caught a Bumboat (!) for a river tour. A very welcome rest for our feet after a lot of walking. Appreciate the picture below of the Merlion sans millions of people in front of it. It took some effort to dodge the groups of camera-ready tourists.
We headed out for a post-cruise cocktail and bumped into the Singapore Pokemon-crazy crowds.
Shoppers paradise at the Marina Bay Sands. Although I think most people just go for the airconditioning. They also have gondolas. In case the Chanel bags get too heavy.
The most iconic building in Singapore (let's forget about Raffles for a minute). The Marina Bay Sands. You might be used to seeing the place from the top down. So to be original I give you the bottom up view. We did head to the top of the Sands, which has a lovely viewing platform overlooking the Gardens by the Bay.
We turned up early for the nightly light show and lay down at the base of a 'tree' to watch the extravaganza. It did not disappoint. Very hard to capture on camera as it's impossible to take it all in at once, but a definite highlight of the trip. We rounded off the night with some Satay by the Bay.
Visiting temples. Sister-emoji style. Too much culture makes me do silly things.
I told you the food was amazing. This is a tiny little roadside Vietnamese treasure.
Heading towards Chinatown, can you guess?
Never far from a temple.
They do a good sign, these Singaporeans. My husband took more pictures of funny signs than of anything else. Many laughs were had.
We visited this beautiful temple after donning an obligatory sarong to cover our bare legs, even though men in shorts were allowed in. Double standards... They did have a nice selection of free self-help books with Buddhism twist.
Best way to get a 360 degree view of Singers is to head up to the top of that building there in the distance and although a slight confusion over a rooftop bar lured me there, the view from the 50th floor was worth the hike. And yes, there is a lift.
Continuing the emoji-theme. It didn't get old. We're easily amused can you tell? Oh yes, and the view in the background isn't bad. As there was a distinct lack of bar at the top of the Sky Walk we headed to the promised roof top bar. Meet Potato Head Folks.
Aside from a good selection of festoon lights, this place does the best burgers. And buckets of ciders/beers. Come here if you want to sit in a cosy little place with quirky decor and fill up on any kind of burger you can imagine. Crabby patty, anyone?
The next day, we climbed Mt Faber and walked the Henderson Waves in the full midday heat. There is a reason this is taken from quite a distance. Suffice to say my husband bought a new T-shirt once we reached Sentosa Island. Of course, as soon as we got there it rained and clouded over. No beach time for us. They do a good beach bar luckily.
After missing our bus stop initially, we managed to find our way to the Botanic Gardens where we found ourselves guiding a group of middle aged Scottish women to Holland Road before heading into the park. It was hot and humid as ever, but a beautiful walk along the Orchid Gardens, the Frangipani trees and giant lizards.
After the park and a quick stop for some food we headed toward Raffles Hotel. 30-dollar cocktail, you say? I'll have two, please. No wonder people throw their peanut shells on the floor. Did you know the Singapore Sling was invented to allow women to have a sneaky drink in the bar without seeming improper? As if they could disguise being drunk after a few of these beauties!
It was very delicious. Again, sip it carefully. Low alcohol prices and Singapore don't like each other.
To walk off all those peanuts we headed to Chijmes. A little courtyard with bars and restaurants as well as a picture perfect church. We casually interrupted a photo shoot in progress (spot the photographer in the top picture by the fountain).
It's hailed as the most hipster area of Singapore. With its 60s-style architecture and trendy coffee shops, Tiong Bahru didn't disappoint. Good food = Good mood.
You may think a lot of our trip was centred around food and you'd sort of be right. Amazing sights might be what gets people here but the food is what makes them stay. That or the sun. Or the amazing public transport. Or the overall efficiency of everything.
We spent an evening at Timbre+; the first container and food truck place with a live band, a Justin Theroux graffiti-mural (did you know he was born here? me neither) and the best Shrimp Po'Boy sandwiches from the Dancing Crab Shack.
Spot Justin?
Lights out. (Or on.)
I thoroughly enjoyed exploring a new city which seemed very familiar and totally exotic all at once. Big city. Small country. Fun place.
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