Trip to Singapore

Visiting India every summer is a tradition of our family. Flying over Singapore is also obvious. However, not visiting Singapore properly is not right thing to do. Yes, we didn’t visit Singapore in all those years. So, it was in my bucket list to take a tour to Singapore. It was a two-day visit. We thought about doing the city tour one day, and visit Santosa Island next day.

If you want to see the entire Singapore from top you can rise Singapore Flyer

We reached Changi airport on a hot afternoon, after a 15 hour -long journey. From there we took a cab to Hotel Orchid, which we already booked. The streets were almost traffic free. While coming we had a little chat with the driver. In the course of conversation, we told that our plan was to do Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo. However, he discouraged us a lot. We already bought the ticket, so, we had no other option, but to visit the zoo.
I must say, the people of Singapore are really polite. We did get a really nice behavior from them.  We were provided a cell phone by the hotel, which really came handy during our tour. Around the afternoon we reached the designated hotel, from where we were to be picked up the tour bus to Singapore.

Hotel Orchid, where we stayed. Isn't these houses pretty?

 There we faced a huge miscommunication. The man who was standing before that hotel we asked about the bus for the Safari. He told us about a bus, which was wrong. The bus came, and we boarded. Then we came to know from the driver, that, that was not the right bus. We hastily got down, and Mr. Man tried to call the Safari office. Lastly, he could make the lady on phone understand , which we actually need. After all the miscommunication over, we found that a car was waiting for us there. 

Shops in Chinatown

The car took us inside China Town, from where the real bus took to the zoo. Though the cab drive told us, that the Night Safari at the zoo won’t be interesting, but I found it quite interesting. Although I couldn’t see many of them in the dark. The main purpose to watch the nocturnal creatures. Anyway, the enormous man-made zoo almost looks like natural habitats of those animals. I think it would look far more better in day light, though the nocturnal animals might not be visible then. Our plan to come back near our hotel to have dinner. However, it was already late. So, we decided to have dinner inside the zoo restaurants. I heard that Singapore Street food was scrumptious, and it is folly to miss that. But first night in Singapore we had no option.

Next day we took hop on hop off buses to visit the entire Singapore City. I’ve seen big cities, but I simple fell in love with this city. A city can be that much beautiful in a concrete jungle. The city has embraced the nature inside it. The skyscrapers are covered with plants made them more beautiful. 
We started our journey from Suctec Mall. In front of the mall we saw the 73 storied Swissotel. Among all those colossal building, Swissotel is famous for organizing the vertical marathon. The idea itself gave me goosebump. I don’t think in my life I ever imagine to run 73 floors on stairs. The tour guide showed us the Supreme Court building. The glass building represents the transparency in the legal system. 

Leaving beside the court building we headed toward the financial hub of Singapore, which the largest financial hub in Asia next to Japan. We went through Orchard Road flooded with expensive malls, the costliest part of the city, where a condo costs 6 million US dollars. We got down at Marina Bay. The marvelous Marina Bay Sands is the epitome of architecture, at least to me. I stared at the building for long until Mr. Man called me out. We went inside the Garden By the Bay. This was really astonishing that all huge trees happily grew above sixth floor. The mad-made gardens are pretty, that you can spend entire day sitting there. The problem was the rain. An umbrella is essential to carry in Singapore. Though we didn’t go inside the Orchid Garden , I know for sure that would be worth to see.

Again we took the but to go to Marlion Park. However, instead of going directly there we got down near Fullerton Hotel. The Fullerton Hotel itself to see, an example of beautiful colonial architecture. Passing the hotel we reached Marlion Park, the symbol of Singapore.  It was already time for lunch. We went to Lau-Pa-Sat, one of the hubs of Singaporean Start food. I heard very much about that. But the problem was we didn’t know which stall will be good for us. We just tried Malaysian food blindly. Malaysian food is too hot for my taste bud. As Singapore is not a big city, we decided to go around by the bus to see the entire city. 

Garden By the  Bay

After crossing Fort Canning Park, War Memorial, Bugis Market, we got down at Kampong Glam, which was originally a thriving port. The area allocated to Malay, Arab, and Bugis by the British. Later it became one of Malay Royalty in Singapore. The Palace is now converted into a museum. Mr. Man is not at all a museum going person, and discourage us to go. We were also tired by then, so, I didn’t ask him to go inside the museum. 

Inside Lay-Pa-Sat

Fullerton Hotel

Financial Hub

Model of Old Market at Singapore Riverside

However, that was good place to visit. I am not big shopper, so I didn’t try to go to Bugis Market. Bugis Market is a very famous street market in Singapore. The big shopper must try three luck to get beautiful things in damn cheap price. 

Malay Masque

It was already late, my son and I were very much ready go back to hotel. We came back to hotel, and decided to for a good dinner at any street side restaurant. Again, we face the problem , where to eat. At last again we eat at the same restaurant where we ate the night before.

 

Next day our plan was to go to Santosa Island. After doing a little research we decided not to go. We already visited many theme parks here in the US, and the main attractions of Santosa Island was theme parks. Those who love theme parks must visit Santosa Island. 

Also, we had our flight to India in the evening. So, we spend the day having rest in the hotel room. I would say, those who love to visit cities , can keep this very city in their bucket list.