5 Mar - 6 Mar | Singa-bore, No more lah! | Singapore

Singapore, a familiar yet foreign destination for me. Our affairs are so brief. A simple exchange of 'Hello & Goodbye' - that's been the extent of our encounter. Over the years I have learnt to navigate my way around Singapore Airport T3 like it is my second home. I know where to find my kaya toast with milk tea; to find the internet terminal with the least people; to find my favourite shops to satisfy my need to browse but not buy; to find a place to sleep on those brief stopovers. Routine and familiarity. 'Singapore', the city outside the confined space of an orderly and homely airport terminal - I've never known you too well. Although I have come to visit you on countless occasions, and experienced a close encounter of almost setting up life in Singapore 17 years ago, you have still been a stranger all these many years. This time, no. I am determined to venture beyond T3 and discover Singapore the modern Asian metropolis booming with activity under the hot equatorial sun.

I only just visited Singapore 6 months ago in October; but it was a whirlwind visit where I didn't really have much time to explore. This time, I was determined to do a bit of sightseeing and exploring for once.  Here are the highlights of my 48 hour stopover! (still a short trip!)

Raffles Hotel - One of Singapore's most famous hotel and landmark, and for very good reason. After 20 or so years visiting Singapore, this was my first time walking 'inside' the hotel. It is a grand, gorgeous hotel that takes you back to the Colonial days of Singapore aka 1920s. In a city where the newest project always attracts the most attention and fanfare, this is definitely a welcome change from the modernity of Singapore. I arrived at this hotel to have lunch with my friend S whom I hadn't seen since Taipei 2009! She treated me to a lovely Nasi Lamak lunch with a Singapore Sling (invented at this very hotel around 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon at the Long Bar) @ The Empire Cafe - a delightful 1920s style 'Coffee House' cafe with local dishes and some international dishes. You will not find 'value for money' here, but a colonial-Singaporean experience! I definitely recommend coming here during your Singapore stopover.

Raffles Courtyard



Nasi Lemak @ Empire Cafe...HUGE servings!



Tourists lounging @ Long Bar



9 Oct | 24 Hours in the Island City | Singapore

We arrived into Singapore early in the morning, and I was glad to find myself in Asia again after the 2 weeks of racing around Europe. After going to all these places, I know my heart belongs in Asia, as I always feel so comforted to land on these soils, no matter which country it may be.

Anyways, mum and I checked ourselves into the same hotel we stayed at 10 years ago. Peninsula-Excelsior which has a fantastic location around Marina Bay. I'm pleased to say the hotel has undergone extensive renovations and the rooms we stayed at was significantly more comfortable than before. The views from the hotel room are quite amazing, and again, quite different to those we saw 10 years ago. How rapid changes happen in Singapore!

View from hotel room of Marina Bay

The obvious new addition to the skyline is the Marina Bay Sands building. I don't know how architects feel about this building? Its definitely futuristic and conceptually intersting. I suppose it fits into the Marina Bay surrounds area given all the futuristic buildings around there.

New building on the block! Marina Bay Sands...
There's a park in the sky

Day 31-32 Singapore Sling

Ok Singapore was more a stopover than a Sling, but I like the sound of Sling...even though my stopover should be called jetlag! (worst jetlag ever experienced in Singapore...I got my night and days completely mixed up!)

Unfortunately I have no photographic evidence to prove I actually made it to Singapore, cuz well, I didn't take ANY photos whilst I was there. I suppose I got over the whole photo-taking thing after Europe. Yes, I regret it now, even if my photos would have just consisted of shopping centres and Hainan Chicken Rice, at least its something! But such is life, you have regrets...such as no photos of Singapore :(

So what did I get up to? Well, the plan was to complete my shopping expeditions, but to my total amazement, I was not in the mood for it at all whilst in Singapore!! I know, almost unbelieveable!! I did buy some stuff, but not as much as I had expected. Just a handful of things.

I visited several relatives, people I had no seen for up to 6 years or more! The last time I visited Singapore was 2000...and my mum actually gave me this huge list of people to go visit, I called maybe 3 people on that list. But it was good to see relatives and catch up with them, even if some felt like complete strangers, you just learn to get to know them again! And best of all, each visit consisted of a free meal :) Oh the joys of family :)

One thing I learnt, Singapore is not quite the place to travel solo unless you just plan to go shopping and nothing else! Even eating is a problem by yourself cuz there is only so much ONE person can order. Oh yes, I forgot to mention, the weather in Singapore was the haziest I had ever seen in my whole life!! I think that is one big reason why I just was not into doing anything but relaxing. (which did not happen due to the jetlag)

I wonder when I will be in Singapore again??