Sunny in Singapore

Singapore, a vibrant city-state located in the heart of Southeast Asia, is known for its diverse culture, world-class infrastructure, and an array of breathtaking tourist spots. From the iconic Gardens by the Bay to the bustling streets of Chinatown, my recent trip to Singapore was nothing short of an adventure.

Gardens by the Bay

My first stop was the Gardens by the Bay, a futuristic nature park that spans 101 hectares. Nestled in the heart of the city, it’s a surreal blend of nature and technology. The Supertree Grove, with its towering, tree-shaped vertical gardens, was a sight to behold. I’d recommend walking on the skyway or on the bridge that connects the supertrees as you can see a panoramic view of the park and the city skyline. I don’t think you need to see all of the exhibitions, but two of the best were the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest which housed exotic plants from around the world. The Cloud Forest is also home to the famous waterfall, and the entire greenhouse is engulfed in mysterious and eery steam every 2 hours. I’d recommend going at night to see the Supertrees light up, but we didn’t want to chance it with the predictions of torrential rain in the evening.

Cé La Vi Restaurant

Perched atop the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, the Ce La Vi Restaurant is a fantastic restaurant, used in the film Crazy Rich Asians for their engagement party. This place is well-known for its panoramic city views and delectable food. The food is very expensive (similar to the Shard in England) so if you’re not keen on spending a lot on a meal, I’d recommend going to the club or bar for a few drinks. I’d also highly recommend booking as there were queues outside and there tend to be large groups of work events and bridal parties. However, it has one of the most incredible city views ever. You can see the light shows that happen every evening on the water and the entire city from outside.

Chinatown and Marina Bay

Singapore’s Chinatown is one to visit. Amongst the dozens of duplicate trinket stores, are some fantastic shops where you can find lots of gems, from authentic hand-crafted chopsticks to paintings and wall art. Loads of restaurants around this area are quite cheap, and stalls sell an abundance of fresh food. There are also several incredible temples such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, which were architectural marvels. Lastly, a stroll along Marina Bay gave me a glimpse of the city’s iconic landmarks like the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, and the Esplanade.

Marina Bay

The waterfront in Singapore is probably my favourite part of the city. You can walk through large parks near government buildings and see the lion waterfall. There are outside arenas for bands and musicians and many food and drink stalls selling refreshments like fresh coconuts. We walked all along the waterfront up until the large shopping centre by the bay which has several shops from high to low end and restaurants in it. There are Museums such as the ArtScience Museum and the Flyer. If you want to see the city from high up you can also go to the top of the mall and look across the water.

River Restaurants and Bars

Singapore's riverside is probably one of the best I’ve seen. There are several restaurants and bars and you can move from one to another quite easily. There is also lots of live music and people walking about, especially on a Friday and Saturday. Some boats also serve dinner that leaves from the pier, as well as ones that offer a short ride up the river. The nightlife was vibrant with different types of music. Sitting by the river, enjoying a meal under the stars while watching the boats go by, was truly a memorable experience.

Singapore is probably one of the places I could imagine myself living in. It had the perfect combination of city life but also tropical greenery. I always wish I lived by the water when I visit places like this. I’d recommend spending at least a few days there if you can, or on your way to another destination like I did. I was only there for a week and I already wish I could go back.