Singapore- Eat, Shop and Roam

Singapore has been on the spotlight for tourism for some time now- but off late there has been a splurge in visitors. It offers a good package for a short trip- exposure to different cultures, excellent local food, great shopping opportunities, quaint neighborhoods and friendly people.

So when I got an opportunity of a week long stay at the country, I decided to make my own notes for a long overdue travel post.

For the people who are planning a trip to the country I would advise the optimum duration to be 4-5 days- which would provide adequate time for exploring the tourist spots and soaking in the local culture. For people who prefer a more relaxed stay- add another extra day.

Let me list the places that ranked top on my list of to do things here

1. 1. Marina bay sands: A trip to the top floor of the luxury hotel promises a panoramic view of the city. The ideal time to visit would be just half an hour before sunset. I would recommend spending an hour here- which would provide views of the city both in the sun and with the lights on. You would get an amazing view of the gardens by the bay at night- which would make your wait totally worth it.
      It also offers a peek into the Marina Bay- dotted by architectural wonders which would surely make you drool.
      A ticket to the observation deck costs SGD 23 

      

2. Ce la Vi rooftop bar: If you would prefer to sit back and have a beer while you wait for the sunset- you can grab a beer at the rooftop bar on the observation desk. Entrance to the bar is free, you just pay for the drinks

3. Gardens by the Bay- Don’t miss the super tree grove light show- which happens at 8pm and 9pm every day. Please check schedule sin advance though-as the timings sometimes change.

Even if you miss it just take a walk around the gardens and imbibe the architectural wonder created around here.
How to get there: By metro- get down at Bay front station– it’s a few minutes’ walk from there. Check google maps for local bus routes.

4. Bugis market: Street shopper’s paradise in Singapore. Shopaholics are advised to allocate at least 5-6 hours to this market spread over three floors. Most of the items are for SGD 10 or 20- but it depends on your bargaining skills. There are some nice eateries outside the market- to refuel yourself while at it.

5. Mustafa Center: the 24 hours shopping center for people who like to work 24*7. You can also find a number of eateries in the adjoining alleys serving Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine.

6. Orchard Road: Singapore’s Champs Elyse’s. Abounded by shopping malls- it is the ultimate shopper’s paradise in the city. Ion Orchard, Ngee Ann City, Paragon and Orchard Gateway are some of my favorites.
How to get there: Get down at Somerset Station of the MRT.

7. Emerald Hills: A quaint residential area tucked behind Orchard Road- it has a number of preserved homes from the early 1900s. It is a photographer’s paradise. The buildings are heavily inspired by the Chinese architectural styles. A few of the homes have transformed themselves to pubs and shops. It is the ideal place to enjoy a sip of wine away from the bustling crowd in the city.

8. China town– must visit to indulge in some great local food like Singaporean chilli crab and Laksa

9. Try the Singapore Sling– the famous local cocktail at any of the pubs.

10. Take a walk by the Marina- Preferably at night when things have cooled down and you need to give some much needed rest to your shopping feet.

A few additional tips: Get the transport pass from any of the metro stations- it will give you access to the MRT (the Singapore metro) and the public buses. If you opt for the tourist pass you will not have to pay a deposit, but it has certain limitations.

For cabs, use the Grab app– Uber doesn’t operate in the region. However cabs can be pricey at times.

Tap water is drinkable so you don’t need to carry water bottles around.

Singapore has a humid weather most of the year round- so pack accordingly.

Other places to see: Travelers with time on their hands can plan a visit to

1. Universal studios located in Sentosa

2. Singapore Zoo- the kids would love it!

3. Singapore Flyer- Located opposite to the gardens by the bay