Vibrant Singapore

Location

Singapore

Length of Stay

4 Days

Itinerary

Orchard Road – Singapore Zoo – Marina Bay – Clarke Quay

Highlights

> Shopping up a storm on Orchard Road.

> Spending a day at Singapore’s famous Rainforest Zoo.

> Taking in the panoramic view from the rooftop bar at Marina Bay Sands.

> Eating riverside at the magical Clarke Quay dining district.

Map of Places Visited

Photo Highlights

 

Steve’s Singapore Travelog

After having spent three weeks in exotic Bali, we were starved for some urban amenities. Upon arrival we quickly made our way to a backpacker hotel in Little India. This part of town is more affordable, but still central. The adjacent metro station made exploring the city a breeze. Singapore is best navigated by subway, as the system is both cheap and well laid out. The average fare is less than a dollar within the inner city. Air conditioning is prevalent not only in malls, but also all public transit facilities and this was a welcome relief after the Bali heat & humidity.

Our first day was spent running errands and doing some shopping on the famed Orchard Road. The collection of shopping malls is truly staggering and you quickly realize that shopping is a sort of national sport for this small island nation. We stopped off at the dramatically styled Orchard Ion, but quickly gravitated to nearby Lucky Plaza. This is where bargaining is the name of the game. Haggle enough and you can get some decent prices on camera equipment and electronics.

Our second day was spent at the acclaimed Singapore Zoo. It takes a little while to get out to the nature preserve (subway & bus), but the journey is well worth it. Set amidst a rainforest, the open design of the facility is superb and viewers are treated to unspoiled views of a wide range of exotic species. Most fences are hidden and there's an impressive sense of integration with the natural landscape. This gives the place a very open and airy feel. One part of the Zoo even has free ranging Orang Utans. Singapore Zoo is truly one of the world’s great Zoos and I would highly recommend a visit.

Over the remaining two days we spent exploring the densely populated inner city. Our explorations took us to the newly constructed Marina Bay Sands, a multi-billion dollar real estate development. The complex is set amidst the newly emerging Marina Bay waterfront district and the scale of the building is immense. The integration with the city is excellent too, with a dedicated pedestrian bridge linking the harbour with the development. Hopefully the metro stop opens soon so that access will be even quicker! Our highlight in Marina Bay was the incredible experience of sipping a few drinks on the amazing Sky Terrace. The views of the city down below are truly breathtaking.

Another highlight of our Singapore stopover was the lively Clarke Quay dining area. Set on the side of Singapore River, the area is comprised of an old warehouse district that was re-converted into a waterfront restaurant area. The way the dining pods line the riverfront is something that has to be seen to truly appreciate. The colourful lighting creates a terrific ambience and the busy restaurants instil a sense of liveliness that is matched in few places around the world.

That’s all for Singapore. Catch my next blogpost from Vietnam!