Singapore
Marina Bay Sands from the Gardens by the Bay
Due to its strategic location as the chief trading port between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, Singapore has been a vibrant city-state at the crossroads of cultures and commerce for centuries.
British, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Arab and many other cultures contribute to the tapestry of experiences in modern-day Singapore. This miraculous city is an incredible destination to explore, from gleaming skyscrapers to lush gardens, to ethnic neighborhoods teeming with the sights, smells and tastes of faraway lands.
Gardens by the Bay: Nature’s Extravaganza
My first stop in Singapore was to visit the mesmerizing Gardens by the Bay, a true celebration of nature. Singapore’s dedication to eco-friendly living is evident in this lush oasis. This massive complex includes outdoor lakes and water features, pocket gardens like the spectacular Chinese garden and miles of walking paths that are all paved, neat and clean. Since Singapore is one degree north of the equator, everything tropical thrives here. But when the heat and humidity are too much, the indoor Cloud Garden and Flower Dome, which house a breathtaking array of exotic plants from across the globe, is the place to go. With a 115’ waterfall and suspended walkways around the entire glass-enclosed structure, the Cloud Garden is a feat of technology and beauty. Outside, you can see the Supertree Grove, where towering tree-like structures adorned with vibrant plant life create an otherworldly ambiance, especially when lit up a night! Incredible!
Marina Bay Sands: Sky High Splendor
The most iconic building on the Singapore skyline is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino, famously the third most expensive building on the planet. Supported by three separate hotel towers, the rooftop SkyPark has panoramic views of the city, several restaurants and the highest and longest infinity pool in the world, at over 2,300 feet in the air! While anyone can book a table at the rooftop restaurants - I tried Ce La Vi and it was outrageously good - only hotel guests can access the pool, so that’s reason enough to stay at this really unique property. There’s even a light show at night and the views back down on the city center are totally worth it. Check out some of the hotel pics!
Neighborhoods: Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street
Singapore’s Chinatown is a really exciting part of the city with lots of shopping streets, hawker centers with a wide array of Chinese dishes and some really beautiful temples, like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple - with its sounds of monks chanting, the heavy smell of incense and a riot of colors adorning the temple and its roof. You can easily orient yourself by finding the restaurant The Yellow Chairs and use that as a home base to explore. I highly recommend going to the China Center hawker stalls on the 2nd floor - where you can have the cheapest Michelin-starred meal i the world at Hawker Chan. I got the chicken rice for around three dollars and it was delicious!
Little India
Little India is a neighborhood pulsating with energy and cultural richness. There are crowded streets, and shops selling traditional Indian garments, spices, intricate jewelry, and gold. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali, is an ornate and wonderful spot. There are dozens of spots to explore for dinner and I had a really terrific Pakistani meal of hot plate prawns, chicken korma and tasty nann breads. A little bit of sensory overload, but well worth a visit!
Arab Street
Arab Street is another fascinating series of streets lined with cafes, bars, mosques, restaurants and shops of all kinds in a tightly packed section of the city. Definitely worth a stop to get some mezze and soak in all the energy of this great neighborhood
Raffles Hotel and the Long Bar
The grand dame of hotels in Singapore is Raffles - site of many fabulous soirees, and diplomatic treaties and home to the world-famous watering hold of renowned authors such as Hemingway, Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad and even Charlie Chaplin - the Long Bar.
The Lion City:
Here’s a parting shot of Singapore’s city mascot, the Merlion. A lion with the body of a fish harkens back to the city’s origins as a fishing village and now proudly protects the harbor. If you get a chance to visit this incredibly rich city - don’t miss it!
