From impressive architecture to delicious food, Singapore exemplifies diversity and it most definitely celebrates the meshing of cultures. This gives Singapore an edge and has made it one Asia’s top destinations. It is also the most expensive city in the world, a title it shares with Zurich, Switzerland.
The city of Singapore is also a country. Small in size, it is situated in the southern portion of the main island and at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. Urbanization began the evolution of built- up areas that now cover a large part of the city/state. The older parts of the city which are still there have been refurbished, this is especially noticeable along the Singapore.
Modernized and gentrified, Singapore has a high population density, but surprisingly it also has been a regional leader in population control. That’s right, its birth and population growth rates are the lowest in Southeast Asia. Singapore also leads the way in high average life expectancy and low infant mortality rates. This certainly reflects their high standard of hygiene and access to an outstanding healthcare system. Singapore’s strict laws support their views on cleanliness as it illegal to do a lot of things in the country like spitting, or chewing gum.
Singapore is renowned for its stringent regulations to preserve its image as a pristine, secure, and organized metropolis. And believe me, the enforcement of these regulations is practiced. Given the strict rules, this has contributed to minimal crime rates and an exceptional quality of life for Singaporeans.
Singapore lies 123 kms north of the equator! From above, it looks an awful lot like a diamond shaped island with well over 50 inlets dispersed from Peninsular Malaysia to the north by Johor strait. It’s a 20 minute train ride or bus ride to the Malaysian border which is rather convenient.
Singapore is user friendly, people widely use “Singlish” which is a unique blend of English and creole. This multicultural country has a bilingual education policy, therefore many of its citizens are able to speak 2 languages or more.
Food and Beverage
Chinatown Complex Market is one of the biggest and coolest Hawker centers in Singapore. Newsflash: Singapore is famous for its Hawker Centers! They’re basically outdoor dining halls where you walk up to booths / vendors, order food, and grab a table to eat at. You can order from a ton of different vendors and try a wide variety of neat foods. It’s a great place to go into a full food coma!
Laksa is also pretty unique, since it includes a spicy coconut based broth with yong tau foo ingredients such as fried wontons and a stuffed green chilli. The soup is seasoned with prawns usually and springy noodles that make it really flavorful. Laksa is cool beans!
The famous hawker Mr Chan Hon Meng has a booth here and was awarded 1 Michelin star for his incredibly tasty Soya Sauce Chicken Rice back in 2016. Because of this, the queue for this vendor can get quite long and overwhelming, especially during peak periods. The stall also offers roasted pork and char siew dishes, so order a few different dishes to share if you can’t decide what to get.
Pan Ji Cooked Food is popular for their old-school snacks that have been around since the 1980’s called sachima. AKA: honey crackers. It’s a pretty addictive snack that is typically sold in blocks. Sachima are fried dough pieces bound together with melted syrup. It is so delectable!
Chendol is an icy treat made with creamy coconut milk and gula melaka syrup poured over a mountain of shaved ice, topped with red beans and pandan jelly. The coconut cream that is used is cold-pressed thereby more coconuts are used in the extraction process, resulting in a stronger coconut taste. For me, it was an acquired taste that would need a lot more acquiring lol
Absurdities: Immersive dining
What is this you might be asking yourself? An immersive dining experience mixes food with visual elements, sometimes pageantry and storytelling in an effort to create a unique multi-sensory journey with gastronomy being the anchor of the entire process. It can also involve interactive performances, themed decor, and innovative food presentations 🙂
At Absurdities in Singapore, we basically traveled through multi-universes and eras while eating the most absurd food sourced from within these worlds! Ultimately, it is a multi-room, multi-environment dining experience that you experience as you through spaces that might require you to climb & crawl!
For each of time slot, there are only a maximum of eight people. The way the restaurant works is that you go to a different “world” for each course, and “door” that you use to move from one room to another is… unexpected. After each room, we were given a collectible trading card that lists the name and ingredients of the dish or drinks we just had. It was wild and quirky. My favorite real was the 1950’s!
Things to do in Singapore
Chinatown
What I find unique about this place is how it has simultaneously managed to retain a sense of the past while still being very much a part of the 21st Century. The architecture has been preserved perfectly. The storefronts are all squeaky clean and brightly coloured and look like they are from an architect’s model.
This is one of Singapore’s coolest areas and it’s definitely evolved into something new from the last time I was here 16 years ago. A lot of the places here have a young and hip feeling, and many business do manage to combine modernity and tradition quite well. It’s a nice balance that feels genuine while still authentic.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
This National treasure is aptly located in Chinatown.The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and its museum showcase some well designed interiors and comprehensive exhibits on Buddhist art and history. They all tell stories of culture over thousands of years. The complex was built in 2007, the temple gets its name from what the Buddhists regard as the left canine tooth of Buddha, which has been recovered from his funeral pyre in Kushinagar, India and displayed on the temple’s grounds.
The Buddha Tooth Relic is housed inside a giant stupa weighing a whopping 3,500 kg and made from 320 kg of gold, of which 234 kilograms were donated by devotees. Although only monks are allowed into the relic chamber, visitors will be able to see the tooth relic from the public viewing area.
Kapong Gelam
Historically one of Singapore’s oldest urban quarters, this is a neighbourhood where age-old traditions and trendy lifestyle come together in a heady blend. The word ‘kampong’ means “compound” in Malay, while ‘gelam’ refers to the long-leaved paperbark tree, commonly found in the area and used for boat-making, medicine and even as a seasoning for food.
The district has a history that dates back to Singapore’s colonial era, when Sir Stamford Raffles allocated the area to the Malay, Arab and Bugis communities. Since then, the area has evolved into a hip locale for travelers and connoisseurs of culture alike. The golden dome of the majestic and gorgeous Sultan Mosque is the one landmark that guides you along its busy and bustling streets and alleyways.
River Cruise
During Singapore’s colonial era (every country seems to have one, don’t they?), the Singapore River was a vibrant and thriving hub of commerce. People would come to trade while sitting in their boats along the quays. And since 1987, this particular River Cruise has preserved Singapore’s past by offering the chance to view the city from the famous waterway.
Traveling up and down the Singapore River in a “bumboat” is a wonderful way to explore the city highlights. We enjoyed an evening cruise where we could be bedazzled with the intricate lighting adorning the city’s most well known sites.
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Located in the heart of Singapore’s ‘Little India’, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is one of the grandest not to mention the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore.
A symphony of colours, pageantry and fanfare, the temple is dedicated to Veeramakaliamman or the goddess Kali, embodiment of Shakti, and the ‘destroyer of evil’.It was built in the South-Indian Dravidian style of architecture, which by most standards is spectacular and this temple is equally spectacular.
Gardens by the Bay
I was super excited to visit this oasis because when I first came to Singapore in 2008, this place didn’t exist. Gardens by the Bay is an absolute sanctuary for nature lovers and horticulturalists alike. In fact, these gardens have won multiple awards since it first opened in 2012. It has also garnered the ‘Landscape Award’ from World Architecture News in 2013, the ‘Best Attraction in Asia Pacific’ from Travel Weekly in 2015 and the ‘Best Attraction Experience’ at the 2019 Singapore Tourism Awards. Yeah, this place racked up a bunch of accolades.
The Flower Dome in Bay South Gardens covers 1.28 hectares and in 2015 it took the Guinness World Record as the World’s Largest Glass Greenhouse. The dome is a lush, verdant and home to plants and flowers from 5 continents from. Some of the trees are 1000 years old!!!!
The second floor of the Gardens’ three indoor conservatories delves into realms of both history and fantasy. Each of its four distinct zones taking inspiration from fairy tales and the storied Hanging Gardens of Babylon, with cavernous spaces, dramatic driftwood sculptures and works of floral art.
High above the conservatories glorious pitcher plants and gorgeous ferns is the ethereal Cloud Mountain. It is a 35m tall structure covered in lush vegetation where mist weaves its way through the leaves of the plants. If you have ever dreamed of heaven, this place is likely closest thing to it.
As you exit the conservatory, you can’t miss the super trees. Almost surreal, these vertical gardens stretch between 25 and 50m in height. At dusk, the grove lights up with a spectacle of sound and light, that is bound to cause sensory overload for your eyes and ears. The Supertree Observatory, is a 50m high deck that overlooks the Singapore marina. The views are simply majestic.
Orchard Road
Orchard Road has very humble beginnings that date back to the early 1830s. The area used to be an unnamed road which was abundant in fruit orchards, nutmeg plantations and pepper farms.
In 1958, Tang’s, Orchard Road’s first department store opened. This is when Orchard Road started to bloom into what is now Singapore’s most beloved shopping district. Today, it is a full grown retail paradise that boasts exquisite restaurants and funky shops, well over 5000 of them!
Raffles Hotel
Easily the most famous hotel in Singapore. Named after Singapore’s founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, I can think of no other establishment that 100% epitomizes Singapore’s colonial history better than this famous hotel, Hotel Singapore.
Although Raffles Hotel Singapore opened in 1887, it has continued to evolve, an exemplary showcase of neo-Renaissance architecture. With its vaulted ceilings, elaborate verandahs and marble floors Raffles Singapore was a first back in the day with its electric lights and powered ceiling fans. It was a party favorite for the likes of Charlie Chaplin, and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Today, the Raffles Hotel Singapore is a heritage icon, that embodies elegance. It also has compelling history when it comes the world renowned “Singapore Sling”. The Singapore sling is a gin cocktail invented in Singapore around 1915. Word on the street is that it was created by a bartender at the Raffles Hotel. The Singapore sling is a variation on a gin sling with some added ingredients like gin, cherry liqueur (or cherry brandy), Cointreau, lime juice, Benedictine, Grenadine, pineapple juice and angostura bitters.
So……the ingredient list is impressively long and fantastically complicated. However, this is what gives it a complex flavor that’s a perfect blend of sweet, tart, bitter, fruity, and bubbly…..all at once. And if you are heading to Raffles Hotel Singapore, you have to sit in its opulent bar area and have a legendary Singapore Sling. We did and enjoyed the ambience and its famous drink. We tried the “Little India” (which is non-alcoholic) as well which was absolutely delicious!
The historic Long Bar continues its proud tradition as the Home of the Singapore Sling. The famous counter shines like new amidst decor that marries architecture and contemporary plantation-inspired motifs. And it’s by walk-in only! At 39$ a drink, the price tag is hefty but the experience is one of a kind:)
The Museum of Ice Cream
Yes, this is a thing lol! This is a place where you can access your inner kid through unlimited ice cream! We booked for 10am so that meant we ate it for breakfast! Lots and lots of different flavors. You basically start at one end of the museum and transition from space to space and in each new area there is an ice cream parlor that serves up various types of ice cream. Before you start though, you have to pick out out ice cream names 🙂
The museum is also like an indoor carnival, where you can ride a unicorn and do your best Miley Cyrus impression by jumping on a wrecking apple! There was ample space too to play, eat, sit and listen to music in what my husband thought was a utopia. And….it was pink, way pink. Like Barbie goes meets bubblegum pink lol
At the final room we were able to jump into the world’s largest Sprinkle Pool! The pool was pretty sizable and had lots of room to jump in from various platforms into a sea of sprinkles! What better way to top off a trip to Singapore? The museum of Ice Cream is literally the sweetest spot in the country 🙂
Sentosa Island
Singapore has a feel good and enchanting island that is full on dedicated to carefree fun. You can pick your poison, whether it’s ambitious theme parks, an aquarium, fancy zip-lines, surfing, and/or trendy beach bars. If an adrenaline rush is your thing or you are looking to simply frolic in the sun, Sentosa island will not disappoint.
Sentosa used to be a British military fortress. After the Japanese Occupation in World War II, Singapore returned to British rule, and the island was renamed “Sentosa” which means “peace and tranquillity” in Malay. Sentosa island has transformed into a luxurious island resort, decorated with tropical beaches, extravagant hotels and cool attractions.
Palawan Beach – is gorgeous and one of the best beaches in Singapore with fine white sand, the clear blue water….and a warm, cosy atmosphere. Out of the 3 beaches in Sentosa – Siloso, Tanjong and Palawan, the latter is often considered to be the most relaxing and peaceful.
The name “Palawan” was most probably derived from the Malay word “Pahlwan”, which means warrior. This exotic beach was originally a reef, referred to as the Serembu Palawan. However, after land reclamation, it was renamed as Pulau Palawan, or simply, Palawan.
The Palawan Beach gives you access to a suspension bridge which connects it with the southernmost tip of Continental Asia. The panoramic view of the Sentosa Island offered by the two viewing towers at this spectacular beach is absolutely breathtaking. It truly is a great place to enjoy this scenic beach from.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel
Marina Bay Sands is an upscale and posh destination for those who are seeking luxury. This resort is notable for redefining Singapore’s city skyline. If you watched “ Crazy Rich Asians”, this is the very hotel the synchronized swimmers performed in the rooftop pool from. The hotel has 3- 55-storey towers of out of this world rooms and suites that come with personal butler services. In addition, the 3 towers are connected by the Sands SkyPark, an engineering marvel.
You can’t actually use the infinity pool unless you are a guest at the hotel. If you do decide to splurge like we did and get a hotel room here, you can enjoy the breath-taking experience of swimming in the infinity-edged swimming pool which overlooks the picturesque horizon that’s best enjoyed at dusk and dawn. At 57 floors above, this is when the marvelous colors come alive. However, it’s up high, like super duper mucho high (at 200 meters in the air high). For me, this was a bucket list experience:)
And at 56 storeys up, is the Skypark Observation deck which is also free to access as long as you are a guest at the hotel. It offers a scenic view of Singapore’s world-class cityscape which is uniquely opulent and breathtaking.
The Art Science Museum at Marina Bay Sands is a worthwhile stop too. The building is in the shape of a lotus flower and it is home to “Future World” where art meets science. The museum also has exhibitions that explore various fields, ranging from art and culture to science and technology.
Finally, in the evening, the SkyPark Observation Deck also offers a spectacular view of Gardens by the Bay, the Supertree Grove and Singapore’s iconic landmarks, like the durian-shaped domes of the Esplanade! The view from our room was spectacular. Worth every penny!
Singapore Changi Airport
Yes, an airport has made its way into my blog 🙂 But this just isn’t any airport, Changi Airport is a world class not to miss attraction all in its own right. Known for its status as a world-class aviation hub, Changi Airport has a bunch of accolades to its name, as well as boasting a trove of activities from shopping, dining to entertainment.
Smaller spaces that are no less charming and they include a Butterfly Garden at Terminal 3, the Sunflower Garden at Terminal 2 and the Cactus Garden at Terminal 1 which features over 100 species of cacti and arid plants. Taking the time to explore and unwind in this serene airport will take a few years off of anyone, I promise.
Worth the visit or not: WORTH
Singapore is unlike any other country in Southeast Asia and it certainly doesn’t really fit into a neat little Asian package like other countries in the region. Singapore is special enough of a city/country that it’s worth visiting if you’re already in the vicinity. Moreover, it’s small enough that you don’t need more than a week to cover every aspect of it.
Not to mention, Singapore is also a very, very safe country. In fact, it’s one of the safest cities in the world. It has an extremely low crime rate, almost non-existent rates of discrimination, and virtually no political turmoil. It’s pretty user friendly for animals and environmentally conscious as well!
Some pretty hefty fines and convictions are doled out for doing things that we take for granted in North America…..like walking around naked in your own home (yes, it’s illegal in Singapore), peeing in an elevator, not flushing a public toilet after use, purchasing or using fireworks, and recommending the wrong person (you cannot just willy nilly recommend someone or their business if you don’t know them or have had a good interaction with them, you will be convicted of fraud).
Singapore encourages orderly behavior and conduct that is respectful of the environment and shared spaces with others! Essentially, Singapore is a tiny island with many different cultures. These people belong to multiple cultures and religions. Given this, the government of Singapore understood that for the country to thrive, it had to rely on the people getting along and helping one another out. Although the laws may seem outrageous, they actually promote order and cleanliness.
Singapore has a long and diverse history. There are 4 official languages: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, and English as well as 3 major ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, and Indian. Each of the main ethnic groups have their own area of Singapore with a long history. That’s where you’ll find the charm of Singapore. Especially in Little India.
The history of the three different ethnic groups being in Singapore has created a delicious food culture. Not only can you try food from Chinese, Malay, and Indian culture, but you can try some fusion food that combines elements from all 3 cultures.
Singapore has an absolutely fabulous public transportation system. The metro is able to get you pretty much anywhere you need to go. If the metro doesn’t go where you need to go, there are air conditioned double-decker buses you can hop on just about anywhere.
However, there is no way around it, Singapore is not cheap so be prepared to break the bank when visiting…..except when it comes to public transportation and hawker food!
Happy Travels 🙂