I’ve heard a few things about Singapore pertaining how clean it is and how delicious Hainanese chicken rice is. Like most Asian cities, it was quickly added to my travel bucket list. An unexpected opportunity came up for me to visit and I had about 4 days to sightsee and explore the city.

Memorable highlights

1-Altitude Rooftop Bar

It was ladies night so I got a free elevator ride up to the highest point in Singapore to admire the view. It was lovely and I timed it to the Marina Bay Sands light show so I got to see the hotel lit up in different colours.

City Tours & Boroughs

I took two walking tours with Singapore Indie Walking Tours. Wei, the tour guide was great and I got to hear Singapore’s history. We walk around the many cultural districts –Kampong Glam (Malaysian), Arab Street, Colonial District and more. I also explored Chinatown, little India and many shopping areas (Orchard & Bugis) on my own.

Clarke Quay & Riverside

On two nights, I just wandered around the riverside facing Marina Bay Sands. It was relaxing and yet lively. It was a happening spot for locals and tourists.

Marina Bay Sands & Gardens by the Bay

My last evening I went to see the iconic Marina Bay Sands resort. The mall and hotel was grand much like a Vegas hotel. The downtown skyline was very scenic but my favourite part was seeing the Gardens by the Bay. There were these artistic super trees that glowed above the natural park. It was surreal and a unique sight.

I missed the Garden Rhapsody light show but I did catch the water and light show twice. It was nice and reminded me of Vegas.

Eating at Hawker Centres

It is a must when visiting Singapore and I highly agree. Hawker centres are very causal open-area food courts with great cheap eats. I ventured to these centres a few times. I did my research for the best stalls but also just followed the lineups. I waited nearly 1 hour for a bowl of congee one morning… But it was good. My meals here were about $5-6 including a drink.

Craziest experience

As I was rushing to catch the Gardens Rhapsody show, I dropped my wallet after I scanned my transit card. Luckily, my destination was only one station away and I noticed it missing right as I was looking for it to exit. I panicked and decided to go back to the first station. I found myself flustered and ended up at the wrong station. I pulled myself together and planned how I could survive without it. Luckily, it was my last night and I would hope the hotel staff could lend me transit money and not charge me for losing my room key. I searched the ground but it was nowhere to be seen. A transit staff saw me and asked me if I needed help. So I asked him if he had seen a wallet. He leads me to the booth with a “Ah!”… THEY HAD IT! I was so relieved and thankful. They told me a nice samaritan returned it.

Travelling alone

This was my first time travelling so far and for so long alone. I’ve always had fun travel buddies. I’m capable of it but I now know I prefer traveling with people more. It’s more enjoyable to have someone to share memories with, chat with and take photos with. I also can rely on someone else to make decisions and support me in case things go wrong (eg. bank card not working or losing a wallet). I did enjoy freedom to do whatever I wanted though… Perhaps too much freedom where I kept going back to the hotel to nap.

Impressions

Singapore is like the “Canada” of South Asia. They were once colonized by the British and is a fairly new independent country. There are low crime rates and everyone despite different cultures and religion, lives in harmony. It is also impressive how the country was led by their first prime minister from being a third world country to first world.

There are many boroughs and they differ from each other greatly. I was intimated at first in Chinatown, where it felt like Vietnam but there other areas that were so modern it felt like Korea or Hong Kong. Some areas like the financial areas even felt like North American cities.

It’s hot and humid year-round. It does feel very stuffy but they turn up the AC everywhere (except Hawker Centres). It’s quite nice at night though. That’s when people usually walk around more.

It was a good trip and a new solo experience. I definitely learned more about myself and how I prefer to travel with others. I would visit Singapore again but would love to go with friends or family.