Nearly the complete spectrum of world cuisine and culture can be experienced in Singapore. Prior to 1819 and the East India Trading Company, Singapore had many names. The Greek geographer and astronomer Ptolemy identified the southern-most coastline in the 2nd century but China is credited with its discovery in the 3rd century.
I am not sure how that works but we get to enjoy the modern day, island trading nation. While you can see, smell and taste the sights, scents and flavours of the world on the main island, it will take significant time investment to truly experience it all. My first tip is to leave Singapore wanting more.
That should not be hard to do. Singapore is a world tour in one destination. To satisfy your thirst for adventure, arrive as an empty cup. Leave the world you know behind and embrace all the news you will celebrate. The next piece of advice I can give is to start your tour on foot around your hotel.
Take the Pullman Hotel Orchard Singapore as an example. Orchard, Carinhill, and River Valley make up District Nine of Singapore. As you glide down the wide steps from the front entrance, it makes little difference which way you turn, newness awaits. Orchard road shopping is world renowned. Luxury boutiques and skyline entertainment venues dot the area.
On the ground level, historical sites like Fort Canning Park or St. Andrews Cathedral should be on your limited checklist. Food stalls and hawker centers will draw you in from a distance. I swear I can hear my nose asking, “what is that delicious smell?”. The large markets don’t exist in this district as property values are high and space is limited.
If you are looking for those massive markets, some of which contain Michelin Star rated food stalls, Chinatown is 4 km from Orchard Road. Walking there will immerse you in the culture and keep the stress lower. Getting there on the mass rapid transit system or via uber will save your legs but exclude the experiences along the route.
That brings me to another tip. Do your exploring during the first 70% of your trip. Use this time to drop pins at shops and stores you want to go back to and make your purchase. This will save you from toting goods and gifts throughout your trip and keep you focused on that all important intake of culture. People like gifts but the story attached to them of buying them gives meaning to the gift forever.
A few kilometers to the East of Chinatown, you will find the Cloud Forest. That is the name given to the 35m tall Cloud Mountain inside the Gardens by the Bay. You can walk the paths up the mountain inside the domes and search the ecosystem amongst the clouds for new plant life.
Speaking of searching amongst the clouds, while in Singapore, you must see the skyline from the Marina Bay Sands Skypark or Sky Garden at CapitaSpring. For a more personal or romantic experience away from the crowds of tourists, Ce LA Vi is unparalleled. Something more my style is the Southbridge rooftop bar. There the sky is nearly all mine.
Singapore will thrill you, like no lover ever has. All you need is a tourist visa to enjoy seemingly endless gardens, entertainment, night safari, zoo, observation decks and beach hangouts that will enrich your time here. The people, the food, the culture is so diverse and wonderful you will have to return for another trip. As I said, leaving wanting more should not be difficult.
Singapore is like a cup of white tea, steeped to perfection, relaxing yet invigorating and filling.