Singapore is a lot of things. A Lot of things packed together in a small area that it's hard not to enjoy this vibrant country. My most recent travel to Singapore (which was 2 years back) was to celebrate my daughter's second birthday. Rather than having a conventional birthday party at home, we decided to head out to have a fun family holiday. Due to its proximity to India, and regular flights, Singapore has long been a destination of choice for short breaks.
Singapore has something for everyone. The Jurong Bird Park & Singapore Zoo for the nature lovers, The Singapore F1 for speed freaks, The Universal Studios for the Cinephiles, and the Singapore Flyer for the one who just want to relax and take in the sights.
Immaculately clean, for long Singapore has been a Mecca for retail therapy. From world famous designer labels at Orchid Road to everyday shopping, Singapore has something for every budget. What has long been overlooked is the growing popularity of the Singaporean culinary arts. Being situated in the midst of South East Asia, Singapore has the advantage of acquiring and adding raw materials and techniques from a number of neighboring countries. A proof of that was the Singapore Takeout event held by them recently around the world.Singapore is also a very safe country. Women can go out at night fearlessly and people are almost always courteous and helpful.
As I do every time with First Thing... I asked a few of my Twitter friends to tell the "First thing that comes to mind when I say Singapore?” Here is what they had to say...
@CitizenScreen - Splashes of color
@DanieTreg - Bubble gum!
@PeculiarBlend - love it for being one of nature's sublime treasure, which is still sustained well by governing body of the country. Thanks to Buddhism :)
@nearafar - large buildings and cleanliness.
@DivaDevs - Clean & peaceful. Lap of luxury.
@HipTraveler - clean... strict... modern... friendly... Little India & Chinatown... island nation... good food / shopping... expensive... mix of cultures!
@MiddleSeatView - Never been - would love to go explore!
@TravelBlggr - Luxury
@PacksandBunks - Clean, no chewing gum allowed ... not that i've ever been :-(
@CharlesJDavis - Cheap copied goods & corrupt Police! I'm not usually negative
@iLiveToTravel - Chewing gum and cleanliness.
@PurpleShanen - melting pot; hawker center (or Asia Food Center); any way 2 describe hearing conversations in 5 languages at once
@WildJunket - A city of extremes: futuristic vs traditional!
@traveldudes - Chewing gum... :)
@whereivebeen - Just off the top of my head-- Singapore goes way beyond green
@grumpyduckuk - Stunning Formula One track and race.
While traveling to Singapore, or any other place in the world, there are a few basic precautions one must always take, like keeping your valuables in lock and key or with you at all times. For some other tips, read on...Singapore has strict cleanliness rules. Follow them. It is only respectable to follow the rules of the country you visit.
When purchasing goods, especially electrical goods, make sure you buy them from the "right" place (official shops) to get the best quality and eventually best price too.I've personally had a few instances where I was overcharged by the Taxi. Solution, always note down the car number before you sit in it (I quickly take a picture of the number plate with my phone camera). This way, you can ask the hotel to track it down if you were overcharged. Also, it is recommended that you rent the taxi through the hotel as they then tend to have a record of the car number.
The Singapore Flyer is a nice way to unwind. It's especially spectacular to go on it during the night when the city brightens up and presents itself in a completely different light.
Singapore businesses have a wonderful employee appreciation event called "Family Day". Once a year some businesses invite its employees and their families free of cost to a local theme park or place of interest. While for the locals I think it is a wonderful opportunity, for a tourist it means that the place they are visiting will end up being overcrowded. Our trip to Jurong Bird Park overlapped one such family day and as a result there were close to 7000 people present in the park. The best way to avoid this is to call before you book your trip and specifically check if the place you are visiting is not holding a family day.
The Jurong Bird Park is an essential visit if you are traveling with kids. It is a perfect mixture of education and fun.
Singapore Zoo is one of the finest in the world. I highly recommend the morning “Breakfast with the Chimps” which is once again of great joy for the kids. Get there early and you can even watch the elephants take their morning bath. Due to my daughter being only two years old, we were unable to go for the “Night Safari”, but I am told it is an experience not to be missed.
If you plan on visiting South East Asia, Singapore has to be on your travel itinerary. It is a mixture of extraordinary cultures living together in harmony and as someone rightly said, a perfect amalgamation of the old and new.
