Three Days in Singapore: A Whirlwind City Adventure
I only had three days to spend in the nation of Singapore. I took the opportunity to get out and see and do everything I could.
All my most memorable trips have been off the beaten path. The most rewarding adventures are found in jungles and villages that only occasionally see outsiders. Staying with locals who put up visitors for the night has fostered the most enriching cultural experiences. I am that person who can go for days immersed in a culture, eating only at local homestays and guesthouses or buying food off carts on the sides of dusty roads alongside banana palms.
There are so many things to do in Singapore. Some of the highlights are The Gardens by the Bay, The Singapore Flyer, The ArtScience Museum, and Marina Bay.
So, for me, stopping off in Singapore was a bit of a shock – but in a good way. I only had three days to spend in the nation of Singapore, which is actually just one massive city. I took the opportunity to get out and see and do everything I could. This was especially important since my next destination was going to be the wilds of Indonesia. I needed to get everything done in Singapore before heading off the radar for my next big adventure.
One of the most useful things about Singapore I found was that English is one of the official languages. While it is relatively expensive, Singapore is on-par compared to other major cities in the world like New York City, London and Tokyo. The currency is the Singaporean Dollar, which when compared to United States dollars, it is $1 for $.75. I found that I could get by on about $40-50 USD a day, but of course, depending on where you like to eat and sleep this could drastically change. If you're coming for business, you could easily spend over $100-$300 a day on just your accommodations, but if you're stopping off for a few days, as I was, you can certainly work with a budget here. I stayed just off Little India in a hostel full of backpackers, it was clean and efficient, with dorms being around $20 a night. However, there are so many options from high-end resort hotels to nice mid-range hotels making it easy to find rooms that fit into your budget.
I always enjoy exploring and feasting from street vendors, this keeps my costs down, and I always find the most delicious treats. The Singapore noodles were my favorite dish I found in Singapore. These noodles sometimes called Laksa are absolutely delicious and cheap. A bowl of noodles from a street vendor will run you between $2-$5, depending on what type you get. Food street vendors are found throughout Singapore, usually around different attractions such as The Gardens by the Bay and some major shopping areas. Lau Pra Sat Market in the Financial district gives you the chance to mingle with travelers and locals while enjoying a large variety of different dishes. The huge variety of incredible foods you can find in Singapore range from Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesia, and so much more. Chinatown is a must-see spot for crazy good food in Singapore. Chinatown is packed with exceptional and fresh items from all over China and Asia; I enjoyed a local specialty of Chili Crab and hand-pulled noodles. It was a hard choice to make as I could have had dim sum, chicken and rice, or Peking duck just to name a few of the hundreds of options. You could eat your way through every country while staying in Singapore and never get bored.
The great thing about getting around Singapore is its vast and efficient public transport system. I didn't take any taxis while I was there because I didn't have to. The entire nation is serviced by an extensive light rail transit network, buses and even water buses/taxis. This makes it simple to get around on a budget – with many buses costing under $2 for a one-way ticket across town. The light rail transit is easily signposted with colors indicating the various lines like they do in London, which makes it a breeze to use, in fact, if you have ever traveled on the Tube in London, you will see the influence it had on this clean and efficient train system.
Singapore is a great place if you are looking for entertainment. There are a number of arcades and entertainment centers; you can catch most new films shortly after release here. There are botanical gardens that are perfect for strolling through. The Art Center is an area dedicated to art galleries and museums which is worth a visit. I enjoyed checking out places such as Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam which are filled with life and cultural traditions.
For shopping, the megamall on Orchard Road is the ultimate in one-stop shopping. You can spend hours here shopping at the various stores and wandering around. Orchard Road is the most famous shopping area in Singapore, but you cannot go far without running into a fancy mall, even some of the subway exits have been developed into malls. This city has anything and everything you could need or desire from high-end boutiques to local herb and medicine shops.
By night Singapore is an exciting place but be prepared if you are planning to consume alcohol. The prices are almost eye-wateringly high. There is a colossal tax on the importation and production of alcohol here, and it is reflected in the sticker price of drinks not just in shops, but also in bars and restaurants. That being said, it is undoubtedly worth hitting one of the clubs while in town, many of which stay open until 3 am or later. I found myself in Clarke Quay at the Crazy Elephant and had a great time! If you want a club that comes highly recommended, word on the street is that Attica is a good one in Clarke Quay. Another great place to visit if you are looking to do a little bar hopping is Club Street and Ann Siang Hill; here you will find a large array of restaurants and bars serving up good food and drinks in a lively and fun atmosphere.
There are so many places to see and so many things to do in Singapore. Some of the highlights that should not be missed are The Gardens by the Bay; this is one of the most spectacular attractions in Singapore, you can stroll all day among beautiful gardens. The Science Center is really cool and can be a great family activity. The Singapore Flyer boasts the best views anywhere in Singapore; Marina Bay is where you can enjoy an evening fountain and fireworks display; it also has one of the most outrageous food courts you can imagine. Singapore is an interesting and safe place to travel as a backpacker, business person or family.
So, enjoy your trip to this exciting place – I definitely did!
