Singapore Stopover

On our way to Western Australia we stopped off in Singapore for 3 nights. It’s a fabulous city any time of year as it has a tropical climate but we were there in April. We stayed in 2 different hotels which are next door to each other, so when we checked out of The Quincy, we simply crossed the courtyard into the Vibe Hotel. These hotels are walking distance to Orchard Road and a plethora of shopping centres and public transport options.

We used the subway system a lot and simply tapped our bank cards in and out. It is really cheap at only a couple of pounds per day and it’s as efficient as the London Underground but much cleaner!

People think that Singapore is expensive, and it can be, but we found ways to cost save. Our favourite of these was eating at the hawker markets. They’re nearly always busy with locals which proves that they are good, and you can eat an array of Singapore cuisine such as crab, duck, noodles and curry (if in Little India).

Singapore is a very walkable city so make sure you wear comfortable shoes and prepare for the humidity. We walked over to Sentosa Island but a better way to get there is the cable car as then you can take in the great views at the same time. Sentosa Island is a playground and you can spend a few nights here as well as a few on the mainland if you’d like the variation. Universal Studios resides here as does the Adventure Cove Waterpark, Madame Tussauds, the aquarium and lots of beach activities.

Gardens by the Bay is another amazing attraction in Singapore. This showpiece of horticulture and garden artistry presents the plant kingdom in a whole new way. There are areas you need to pay to access but we simply walked around for free and watched the amazing garden rhapsody. This is a sound and light show which occurs every evening at 7.45 and 8.45pm.

Continuing on the nature theme, we headed to the botanical gardens and paid entry into the National Orchid Garden which was beautiful and fascinating with over 1000 species and 2000 hybrids on display.

There are plenty of ways to spend money in Singapore and if you would like to experience something special you can book a table at the Marina Bay Sands rooftop restaurant Ce La Vie. It’s extremely popular at sunset so you will need to book early but the photos you’ll capture are definitely worth it.

You can pay to visit The Long Bar at Raffles and have an iconic Singapore Sling, but as were on a budget we simply walked around the grounds of this majestic hotel. You can meander around the interior as there are other bars and shops inside. You’ll just not be able to go into the hotel guest areas which are roped off.

I found parts of Singapore similar to New York but much cleaner and with less hustle and bustle. With a stop here on-route to Australia or New Zealand you’ll really feel the benefit as your body will acclimatise to the time zone causing less jetlag. It’s a very clean country and the locals are extremely polite and hardworking.