The splendour of the Lion City

Welcome on board! Said Darlene as she took us all around in a cute little duck shaped bus to see the first glimpse of the glistening Lion city,  the day we arrived. Gratuities were customary so we rang the bell after the ‘Duck Tour’ (as it is termed as) showcasing us the labyrinthine architecture of the stunning Southeast Asian wonder, Singapore.

The city surely opens your imagination as wild as it could with man- made marvels like Marina Bay sands, Gardens by The Bay, Sentosa island housing unimaginable adventures for your whole family along with the world famous Universal Studios. Just tie your shoe laces and walk on, like most of the Singaporeans do!

 We began our sojourn at the hot spot for premium luxury, the opulent hotel Marina Bay Sands- MBS as it is popularly called, which instantly wows with its three spectacular high rise buildings featuring the highest and the longest infinity pool on their rooftop. Sadly, the unrivaled panoramic views of the city  from this iconic pool are exclusively for hotel guests. But if you are a first timer, you will be left awestruck, walking through the amazing opportunities the place offers, from housing Singapore’s most luxurious shopping experience to exclusive culinary offerings featuring ten of the world’s best celebrity chef restaurants. 

The place is a repository of surprises sprucing across the gigantic, Marina Bay Sands. We spotted one of the best restaurants there for pizzas, Pizzeria Mozza, famous for its  Fennel Sausage Pizza and Nancy’s Chopped Salad. It serves casual Italian fare in an elegant yet relaxed ambience. Watching chefs churning out a steaming hot pizza from wood-burning pizza ovens from the long wooden bar while we took a pick from their exclusive Italian wine list, was truly divine. A must try if one is looking for a relaxed dining, after a massive shopping experience.

If you prefer walking amidst the manicured gardens, Gardens by the Bay is the place for you. Wind down the day in the moist cloud forest which instantly calms you with its tropical beauty or just get lost in the unbelievable variety of flora in Flower dome where nature parks leave you simply awestruck. As the dusk sets in, just take a walk through the beautifully lit super treegroves which come alive with a breathtaking display of sound and light. You can easily end up doing a photo essay on this as an ultimate end to your nature walks. Exploring these tall canopied trees is a delightful and does nothing less than stirring the imagination wild, once you find them lit in bright coloured hues.

Singaporeans are deeply passionate about their food so if you love being satiated with flavours and exploring the South East Asian cuisine to the hilt, the city will welcome you with open arms. From the signature Kaya Toast with half boiled eggs and Nanyang coffee for breakfast at the most loved culinary spot Toast box, to Singapora Laksa/ Katong Laksa with a right balance of spice, sea food and coconut milk, Chicken rice to chilli crabs, the options are innumerable. If you are a sea food aficionado, its surely a treat for your senses. The local flavours reveal that Singaporeans love their food and there is certainly a high magnitude of love that’s why there are multitude of dining options. The culinary haven is available across the city for jaded or enthusiastic food seekers. Don’t be surprised, like we were to find Indian Mughlai restaurants on Cuppage Terrace on Orchard which is a gourmet paradise and is buzzing at night just like the famous Club Street. Likewise, the striking streets of Chinatown promises to spoil you with endless offerings from street food to cafes with scrumptious bites as you embrace an equally enjoyable local shopping experience. We got pulled by the colourful lanes of Chinatown, shopping our way through Fangshui mountings, interesting street side clothing , discovering local flavours, finally halting at the perfectly chiselled Chinatown Heritage Centre. The place left us deeply enchanted.

The more you crane your neck around the city, the more fascinating it becomes. Take our verdict, Clarke Quay/ Boat Quay is one place you can’t afford to miss for a perfect slice of nightlife of this glistening city. The fun begins here after sun set as Clark Quay comes alive with hottest bars like Hooters or Roof Top bars like Southbridge and other renowned drinking destinations. Discover live music and much more to get alive while you explore ! Even in such a small city, the culinary indulgence from street food to fine dining, fun and celebrations never cease to inspire!!

We believe retail therapy heals just like food does. Shopping destinations are aplenty in Singapore so oscillating between old and new, opulent and affordable was exhilarating for us. Shop till you drop is the mantra, from the lavish and chic Orchard Road malls like Takashimaya to Orchard central to Ion Orchard amongst others. Just soak in the luxury on the roads till your eye can go. While Orchard Road houses premium luxury brands across palatial malls and the most sought after aroma of TWG Tea( world’s finest tea brand), the colourful bylanes of Bugis will certainly impose a shopper in you. The all time famous Haji Lane and the culturally vibrant Arab Street too, attract a mob of shoppers everyday and offer a completely distinct shopping experience. Suntech City is a haven for shopping especially if you are looking for high-end technological products, while housing a hub of popular restaurants for gourmands. An insider tip from us- check out their food court if you are looking for an absolute vegetarian meal without Num pla ( fish oil), you will not be disappointed. We also paved our way through the good old Mustafa centre at Little India for a head to toe elaborate shopping tour at rock bottom prices. It’s a must for first timers!

Singaporeans are not so fond of lavish beaches but one can have a ball at Siloso beach with cocktails by the sea, at Sentosa Island and can do island hopping with fun activities. Hop on a cable car ride from the stunning Mount Faber for a panoramic view of the city and indulge in sports like Luge and skyride to bring back your childhood days or just pose with our favourite celebrity at Madame Tussauds or venture through the fascinating marine life at the S.E.A Aquarium in the Resorts world, Sentosa. The options are endless and outrageously engaging. Relax by the sea side as you finish your day and watch the amazing interplay of laser lights in the Wings of Time at Sentosa. You will be assured, that you descended the best sightseeing experience ever.

Tracing the cultural and ancient structures the city boast, the list entails the iconic Raffles, beautiful churches, mosques and temples like Sri Mariamman Temple and the famous Buddha tooth Relic temple & Museum, at Chinatown. Its richly done interiors, intrigues imagination and showcases the unique cultural treasures, the city spells. This multi-regional heritage adds to Singapore’s architectural charm. Not only it’s a wonderland for families offering carved avenues to explore, its world famous and exclusive destinations woo travelers and couples too. For instance, Universal Studios offers a slice of your famous Hollywood movies peppered with adventure games where you can spot your adorable movie stars regaling you with their skills. If you are travelling with kids, they will have many stories to share after visiting Universal studios. Else if you are a city-weary soul head to Jurong Bird park for abundant greenery, a peaceable ambience with exclusive bird species and go for live bird shows. The place gives a natural high and impresses with its educational environment where birds are not caged but are loved and are left to fly in an open expanse, isolated from the city. We also chose the famed Jungle safari which gave our adrenaline a super rush with wild animals walking by our side, all for an adventure of a lifetime. No doubt the city is revered for its incredible views and unique locations.

It was time to bid adieu with our memory bags full. Time to slide deeper into our flight seat, sleep and dream as we mapped away back home. As it is rightly quoted by Andre Gide “ Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has courage to lose sight of the shore”, take a trip to this sparkling South East Asian hotspot where nothing seems impossible. Walk along gleaming lights filled with culinary fanfare, nature wonders, iconic landmarks, thrilling leisure and more and just unravel to indulge while you explore. You will be embraced and satiated!!!  Ruchi Jain Wakhloo loves to explore local elements of a city through food and travel. She also writes a dedicated food blog — www.hesaidshesaidyummy. wordpress.com