Escaping the Heat

The first thing you’ll notice when leaving Changi Airport is that Singapore is hot. Really hot. At only one degree above the equator, Singapore has a hot and humid temperature 365 days a year. The average temperature is between 25 and 31 degrees Celsius with humidity between 70% and 80%. So while you’re here, chances are you’ll want to cool down.

Although everywhere indoors in Singapore is more than adequately air-conditioned, you’ll definitely feel like a swim while you’re here. For backpackers who don’t have access to a hotel pool, a very cheap option is one of the dozens of public swimming pools scattered across Singapore. Although a mission into the heartlands is required, entry to public pools is almost guaranteed to be under $2. There’s also the beach, with East Coast being the most popular. Sentosa also has three beaches with much nicer surroundings but visiting the island does cost money, even if you walk you’ll be stopped to pay a toll. Although Singapore is an island, ocean swimming isn’t that popular here, the surprising lack of beaches and the busy shipping lanes not far from shore being a possible reason.

For access to the most stunning swimming pool in Singapore, you’ll need to book yourself a room at Marina Bay Sands. On the roof, in what they call the SkyPark, is the world’s longest infinity pool. There’s a good chance you won’t find a pool with a better view anywhere in the world. Lounge right on the edge of infinity and relax while taking in the spectacular view of Marina Bay and the Singapore CBD, all at over 650ft above ground.

Those that can’t afford the high-flying luxury of Marina Bay Sands but still want a thrill; Singapore has two large waterparks where you can easily spend a day. Out on the east coast is the original; Wild Wild Wet. Located in Pasir Ris, Wild Wild Wet won the World Water Park Innovation Award in 2004 for its creative design and technology. Wild Wild Wet is more geared towards families, with award winning family orientated facilities and an emphasis on “gentler” water-rides. Also its location right near Pasir Ris MRT station so is very easy to get to.

For the new and closer (but more expensive) Adventure Cove Waterpark, head down to Resorts World Sentosa. Adventure Cove really ups the ante. One of the attractions is South-East Asia’s first hydro-magnetic coaster. Part waterslide, part roller coaster, this slide works by magnets inside the slide and inside the mat you sit on. The magnets work to pull you through a 225m track in just 40 seconds. Other attractions include a wave pool and snorkeling with 20,000 fish. Adventure Cove is actually part of the new aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa, meaning at one point during a gentle tube ride, you’ll travel beneath an aquarium making you feel like you’re underwater.

No matter how hot you get in Singapore, there’s always an easy way to cool down. Whether you just want to kick back in the public pool with the locals or hurtle down giant plastic slides, remember to always wear sunscreen as the humid and sometimes overcast nature of Singapore can be deceiving. Whatever you do while you’re here, just remember to try and stay cool.  

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Food with a View

With eating being a major pastime in Singapore, it’s only natural that there are some amazing places to do it. If you’re travelling on a budget, you’ve picked a great place to visit as some of the cheapest food in Singapore is the best. But, if you’re travelling on a budget, you might want to stop reading now. The following is a list of the four best places in Singapore to get a great meal with a great view. It’s fine dining at its finest with unique and astonishing surroundings. The following was written with dinner in mind, as that’s when the best food is rolled out with the glittering lights so the city in the background. If you want something a little less expensive all the places are open for lunch as well.

Stellar at 1-Altidue

1-Altitude is the world’s highest alfresco bar. Located on the 63^rd floor of 1 Raffles Place, it offers one of the world’s best views to accompany a cocktail. One floor below sits Stellar. At over 250 metres (820ft) above the ground, try not to get vertigo as you feast on European style dishes, tonnes of fish and seafood and meat straight from the wood-fired grill. Also available is an amazing array of fresh sushi and sashimi. If you can’t decide what to eat from the extensive menu, never fear as you can design your own 4, 5 or 6 course ‘tasting menu’. This is a great way to sample as many dishes as possible.

Ku Dé Ta at Marina Bay Sands

Ku Dé Ta is the main bar, club and restaurant on top of the infamous Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino. If you’re only in Singapore for a short time, this is the place to visit, as your friends at home who are familiar with Singapore will definitely ask you about it. The restaurant serves what’s best described as Asian fusion. Apart from the sushi and sashimi, a lot of the dishes have a very European feel, but with added tinges of Asian flavour. If you feel like going all out, you need to try the signature steak. Specially imported from Takara Ranch in central Kansai in Japan, this is genuine wagu beef. Do not expect to pay anything less than $200 for this amazing beef.

Equinox Restaurant at Swissotel The Stamford

Located on the 70^th floor of Swissotel The Stamford, enjoy views of nearby Indonesia and Malaysia while feasting on upscale European cuisine.  The most traditional restaurant on the list, the room itself uses lots of wood and even mother of pearl making for an elegant but welcoming atmosphere. No sushi to be found here, just English and European favourites from pork with Scotch egg, prunes and whisky sauce to gnocchi with baby carrots, fennel and turnips. If you’re from that part of the world, this is definitely the place to go if you’re missing a taste of home.

Singapore Flyer Sky Dining

We’ve saved the best till last. While all the other places on the list do have incredible views, they are just standard restaurants. In order to take it to the next level, you need to book a capsule on the Singapore Flyer for you next meal. Dining in the world’s largest Ferris wheel is one of the most memorable dining experience you’ll have anywhere in the world. With uninterrupted spectacular views, the finest food and personal butler-style service, Singapore Flyer Sky Dining is the ultimate dining destination. It’s not cheap but it’s something you’ll never forget and perfect for special occasions like anniversaries and Valentine’s Day.   

Just like the locals, you will spend a lot of time eating while in Singapore. All the options above are a chance to dine somewhere that shows off the city of Singapore. A few things to keep in mind; bookings are essential for all four places. Also extra important, with the exception of the Singapore Flyer, is that not all tables in these restaurants are by the window. When booking a table you should definitely try and reserve a window seat to get the full effect of the restaurants selling point. If you do miss out on a window seat, all the restaurants have bars as well which give a lot more freedom in terms of getting a good view. Have a nice meal and enjoy the view!

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Universal Studios Singapore

Although we briefly covered Universal Studios Singapore (or USS as it’s known to the locals), the attraction is one of the most popular destinations in Singapore and as such should be given a closer look.

Officially opening its doors on the 28^th of May 2011, USS changed the face of Singapore. For a year people travelling to Sentosa Island could see a mysterious large castle on the horizon, now they had the chance to explore it first-hand.

The best way to get to USS is via the Sentosa Monorail. Literally around the corner from the station, the first sign that you have reached your destination will be the famous Universal Globe. Seeing a larger than life version of the iconic globe you’ve been seeing at the start of movies your entire life will fill you with excitement and have you running to the gates. No matter how old you are, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy shop while at USS. Of course you can make the metaphor a reality by popping into the massive Hershey’s store next to the globe. It’s probably a better idea to leave that until the end of the day though, for what’s in store might be best done on a not-so-full stomach.

Walking through the gates you’ll come across Hollywood. Modelled after the Hollywood Boulevard circa 1970, you’ll walk past shops and restaurants reminiscent of a long lost time. Expect lots of art deco and palm trees.

Getting to the intersection you’ll see an American-style 1950s diner in front of you, New York City to your right and to your left a life-size cargo ship. The entire theme park is built around a lake and the proper way around is anti-clockwise, so head right onto the streets of New York. Replicating the classic New York we all know from the movies, this is the place for food and live shows. As you’re in New York make sure you try the pizza.

After the New York Public Library you’ll follow the path to the left and go from the past straight into the future. This is Sci-Fi City. Opposite the shop selling personal helper robots is one of the newest rides in the park: Transformers: The Ride. This ride could very much be the future of theme park rides. Part roller coaster, part 3D movie, this thrilling adventure puts you in the driver’s seat for a robot battle through a city. With giant wrap around HD screens and the fact the vehicle you’re in is actually moving will create an unprecedented level of immersion. Although at one point you will feel like you’re falling from a building, the lack of actual dips and speed found on a traditional roller coaster means that this ride is appropriate for most people. Definitely appropriate for everyone is the Accelerator, which is a teacup ride with a sci-fi makeover. Next to that however, is something not for everyone. The main attraction of the park, the world’s tallest duelling roller coaster, Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon. This epic roller coaster based on the television show Battlestar Galactica is split into two sections, one representing the humans and one their robot enemies, the Cylons.  Both launch at the same time creating a “race”. With high speed loops and corkscrews, this is a thrilling roller coaster that will leave you breathless.

After Sci-Fi City jump far back in time to Ancient Egypt. This zone is inspired by the second wave of Egyptomania that took place during the early 20^th century. For the young kids there’s the Treasure Hunters ride. Sit back in your in your vintage Jeep and be driven around a classic Egyptian archaeological dig site. For something a bit faster head into the giant pyramid for Revenge of the Mummy. Based on the Mummy movies, this is an indoor roller coaster that takes place almost entirely in the dark. This really creates a unique sensory experience. After the first stage of the ride, with smoke, flames so close you can feel the heat and reverse sections that will make you scream, the car spirals down and down in complete darkness. Occasionally there will be a flash of light to give you a very quick glimpse of your surroundings, which is just a deep dark carven. This darkness makes the photos you can buy at the end especially funny as the lack of light makes you forget anyone is watching.

The next zone on your journey is The Lost World. Based on the classic Jurassic Park movies, the centrepiece of The Lost World is the rapids ride. Starting out as gentle ride through Jurassic Park, you’ll pass through different dinosaur enclosures before a flood breaks out. You’ll find you and your boat hurtling through buildings, up an elevator shaft to waiting raptors before plummeting back down with a mighty splash. It might be a good idea to leave you valuables in a locker for this one. Afterwards you can dry out on the Canopy Flyer. This four-seat ride takes you slowly above the tree-tops of The Lost World giving you a great view of the entire Universal Studios. More fun for the young ones here thanks to the Dino-Soarin’ ride. The same spinning ride you see at every theme park and fun fair, this one is different in that you can manually control the height at which your vehicle, in this case a pterodactyl, flies. Take the long path to your right just after The Lost World and you will find Waterworld. An action packed stage show that is common to most theme parks, except this one is set on a floating stage and uses the water as a main set piece. Expect stunts, splashes and jaw-dropping pyrotechnics.

After The Lost World, walk across the bridge to Far Far and Away. You’ll actually feel like you’ve walked straight into the world of the Shrek movies, with the main street lined with shops straight from the movies. The main thing you’ll notice however is the 40 metre (131ft) castle. Venture inside to find the 4D cinema. Playing is an original short Shrek film which not only displays in 3D but also treats you to sprays of water, moving seats and other physical effects that will make you feel like you’re in the movie. Far Far and Away is also home to a more child-friendly roller coaster. Enchanted Airways is based on an airport complete with ticket booths and departure and arrival information with all locations from Shrek getting mentioned. The roller coaster train itself is designed to look like Dragon who will fly you around without filling you with as much fear as the Battlestar Galactica roller coaster.

The final zone is based on the Madagascar films. The two rides here are relaxing and child-friendly to fit with the theme of the movie, one a simple carousel with characters from the movie and a boat ride which takes place inside the hull of a full sized cargo ship. State of the art animatronics, projections and high-tech sound make this a great and relaxing way to end a long day of rides and adrenalin.

Eating at USS is an adventure of its own.  Besides Sci-Fi City which only has an ice-cream store, every other zone has somewhere to eat, each based on the theme of the zone. From Middle Eastern inspired food in Ancient Egypt to New York favourites in the New York zone. Just time it right as the zero-g inversions of the Battlestar Galactica roller coaster do not mix with food!

Universal Studios Singapore is open every day; expect long queues on weekends and public holidays. If going on these days it’s a good idea to buy your tickets online. If you’re visiting during the week then just show up any time and get your tickets before you go in. All rides are included in the ticket price and crowds are always quite low during the week so you can go on your favourite rides a few times with minimal waiting time.

Built for the young and the young at heart, Universal Studios is a must-stop destination for anyone visiting Singapore. 

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Chinese New Year

Being in Singapore for Chinese New Year is like being in Europe or North America during Christmas. Chinese New Year is the most important time of year for the Chinese community, and with over 70% of Singaporeans being Chinese the celebrations run through the entire island.

Although Chinese New Year falls on the 10^th of February this year (it’s a different date each year), the festivities began long before that. As it’s the year of the Snake, Chinatown has installed a massive sculpture of a snake using yellow sky lanterns that slithers along four metres above South Bridge Rd. Around the corner is another snake, this one 128 metres long and made of 5000 red cube lanterns. Explore the various street of Chinatown and you can browse over 500 street-stalls set up in celebration of the New Year. These will be selling traditional Chinese New Year treats like sweets and cookies. Chinatown will be the epicentre of the celebrations on the 9^th of February. Make sure you go to New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street between 9.30pm and 12.30am for live performances and a countdown celebration.

One of the major events during Chinese New Year is the Chingay Parade held on the 22 & 23^rd of February. This street parade was first held in 1973 and has since grown into the most popular street parade of the year. Due to its overwhelming popularity it is now held at the F1 Pit Building. A closed off piece of road normally used to the Formula 1 race in September. The current location offers seating so more people can view the spectacle.

Also popular is River Hongbao. This nine day festival takes place from the 8^th of February to the 16^th of February on the floating platform on Marina Bay and will feature 1,200 lanterns and 45 food stalls selling classic Singaporean dishes like char kway teow, chicken rice, oyster omelette and delicacies from the Guangdong province in China like soup dumplings and grilled quail eggs.  

Around the corner at the Esplanade from the 15^th of February until the 24th is Huayi - Chinese Festival of the Arts. Showcasing Chinese art, music, dance and theatre, the festival is great way to get a better understanding of Chinese culture.

If you’re looking for a quick introduction to everything Chinese New Year, then the Singapore Flyer will be celebrating by turning one of Singapore’s most popular tourist sites into a lesson on everything Chinese New Year. Learn about what makes Chinese New Year such a special time, and then take a ride in the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.  

These are just some of the things going on during the Chinese New Year period. But no matter where you are in Singapore you won’t be able to stop yourself being swept along by the festivities. Note that Monday the 11^th of February and Tuesday the 12^th of February are national public holidays. This won’t affect tourist spots and major restaurants. But be aware that some supermarkets might be closed as well as most of the smaller Chinese-run businesses. Whatever you do just revel in the festivities and have a great Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

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Museums of Singapore

If you’re looking for some history, art or culture while on holiday, don’t look past Singapore. The scores of museums provide a glimpse into Singapore’s past while galleries dedicated to modern art reflect the society today. Singapore is also becoming an increasingly popular spot for travelling exhibitions so don’t be surprised to see some Dali or Warhol while you’re here.  

National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore is the country’s oldest museum. Having been at its current location since 1887, its history can actually be traced to 1849 when Sir Stamford Raffles proposed the idea of a museum to preserve local culture. The National Museum is still the place to go for Singapore History, Examples include the first ever photograph of Singapore taken in 1844. Also on display is the last remaining piece of the Singapore Stone. Found at the mouth of the Singapore River in 1819, this sandstone slab contained 50 or 52 lines of script. The language has never been properly identified and the age of the stone never agreed on. It is said to be from between the 10^th and 14^th century. 

Singapore Art Museum

The Singapore Art Museum, or SAM, is Singapore’s home of contemporary art. Its permanent collection is made up of 7,750 pieces from Singapore and Southeast Asia. The collection features paintings, sculptures and installations. SAM also plays host to travelling exhibitions including works by Yayoi Kusama and Yasumasa Morimura from Tokyo’s Museum of Contemporary Art and video art by Bill Viola and Jean-Luc Godard from Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. Located around the corner, at approximately 88 steps away, is 8C SAM. Built to accompany the original SAM, this museum concentrates more on community-based interaction with contemporary arts. 

Asian Civilisations Museum

Housed in the stunning Empress Place Building, which parts of can be dated back to 1864; the Asian Civilisations Museum is one of the pioneering museums in the region to specialise in pan-Asian cultures and civilisations. The museum specialises in the material history of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia, from which the diverse ethnic groups of Singapore trace their ancestry. The museum also stages a large number of temporary exhibitions with collections loaned from all over Asia including India, China and Japan.

Peranakan Museum

Peranakan is the name given to the descendants of the Chinese that immigrated to Malaysia and Singapore in the 15the and 16^th century. This unique culture used to be showcased as part of the Asian Civilisations Museum until it was decided a dedicated museum was needed to house this important part of Singapore’s heritage. The museum will take you through all aspects of Peranakan culture, including highlights on Peranakan communities in Singapore, Malacca and Penang. 

ArtScience Museum

Worth a visit for the architecture alone, the lotus-shaped building at Marina Bay is now a regular postcard image. The museum showcases design as well as art across its three levels. However, the museum is more known for its visiting exhibitions. Exhibitions have included works by Dali, Van Gogh and Warhol plus exhibits featuring artifacts from the Titanic, costumes and props from the Harry Potter films and currently showing (until the 14^th of April) an exhibition about Lego.

The Maritime Experiential Museum and Images of Singapore

The two museums on the island of Sentosa each offer a unique experience. The Maritime Experiential Museum was built to house The Jewel of Muscat and the 60,000 artefacts salvaged from the Belitung Shipwreck. Images of Singapore tells the Singapore story using multi-media displays, multi-screen theatre presentations and life-size tableaus depicting major events in Singapore's history.

MINT Museum of Toys

Not really a museum to take the kids to, as all the toys are mostly vintage and stuck behind glass, one of the highlights of “Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys” Museum is the restaurant and rooftop bar. The walls of both are covered with vintage advertisements creating a whimsical atmosphere which works especially well with the city views from the rooftop bar. 

Singapore also played a major part in World War 2. If you’re keen to experience the history in a more tactile manner you should visit Fort Siloso on Sentosa Island. Used by the British during World War 2, it’s now a museum. Less known is The Battle Box. Buried beneath Fort Canning in central Singapore this historic command centre was thought lost to time until a journalist rediscovered it in 1988. It has since been converted into a tourist attraction and museum. Being right near the Singapore River and Clarke Quay this is a close, convenient and extraordinary way to experience some local history.

As a country built upon so many cultures, Singapore has many museums and heritage centres to celebrate the cultural diversity. One definitely worth visiting is Fuk Tak Chi Temple. Built in 1824 this is Singapore’s oldest temple. Now doubling as a museum, its exhibits document the lives of early Chinese migrants.

Most museums are easy to get to via MRT. If you’re visiting the Asian Civilisations Museum then you should consider taking the River Explorer. Arrive by boat at the same spot Sir Stamford Raffles landed on the 29^th of January 1819. This little historical recreation is a great way to accompany a day of history and culture.

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Sentosa Adventure

Singapore’s Sentosa Island is the southernmost point of Continental Asia. Connected to the main island by a causeway, you can also get there via a monorail called the Sentosa Express or the Singapore Cable Car. If you decide to walk along the causeway, be aware that there’s still a charge. It is the cheapest option however, costing $1.00 while the monorail cost $3 and the Cable Car costs $29 for adults and $18 for children. The Cable Car is the most expensive but also the most spectacular. For the most convenient option, choose the monorail.

Sentosa means “peace and tranquillity” in Malay. A name that can be well applied to the white sandy beaches that line the south-west coast, but the island is also host to a lot adventures that will get your heart racing.

The first stop in the monorail line is Resorts World Sentosa. Opened in 2010 it includes a casino, a theme park, an aquarium, a museum, shops and restaurants. A visit to Universal Studios is essential for anyone visiting Singapore. An ultra-modern theme park, it features state of the art rides like the Transformers ride, which is a cross between a 3D movie and roller-coaster and the Mummy ride, which is a roller-coaster that has entire sections of complete darkness. There are also plenty of rides for younger kids and of course those that can’t stomach a high speed roller-coaster. Also worth witnessing at Resorts World is the largest oceanarium in the world, containing 45 million litres of water, 100,000 marine animals across 800 species and the world’s largest viewing panel. At 36-metre wide and 8.3-metre tall, it is intended to give visitors the feeling of being on the ocean floor. Marine Life Park is home to the only giant oceanic manta ray in captivity. It also showcases 24 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, scalloped hammerhead sharks, the Japanese spider crab, and relatively uncommonly-exhibited species such as the guitarfish and the chambered nautilus. Connected to the oceanarium is Adventure Cove Waterpark, featuring the region’s first hydro-magnetic water-coaster. While you’re there make sure you try and have a meal at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon. With a total of 28 Michelin Stars, Joël Robuchon has more than any other chef in the world.

The second stop is Imbiah Monorail Station. Here you will find a large collection of Sentosa attractions. Learn to fly in the iFly, an indoor wind tunnel that can reach speeds of over 200km/h, although it will only be going about 80km/h when you use it. With an hour training required before entering the tunnel, this is serious business and not like a normal hop-on-hop-off ride. That being said, anyone can do it, young and old, just pay attention to your instructor or be prepaid to fall straight into the safety net. Around the corner from the iFlyer is the Sentosa Luge. Like a mix between a toboggan and a go-kart, control your speed and steering while gravity pulls you down one of the two routes built onto the hill. Next to Sentosa Luge is the Tiger Sky Tower, Singapore’s highest observation tower. Just board the air-conditioned viewing platform on the ground level and the entire thing will ascend 91 metres while slowly revolving, giving 360° views of Sentosa, the southern part of Singapore and on a clear day parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. And of course while you’re in this part of Sentosa you have to pay a visit to the Merlion statue. Standing at a spectacular 37 metres tall, this dwarves all other Merlion statues and even has viewing platforms in its mouth and on its head. For something a bit more educational check out Images of Singapore. A museum dedicated to Singaporean history. For even more history, venture north to find Fort Siloso. This is the actual fort that was manned by the British during World War II. It was because they were so preoccupied with the expectation of a sea attack that Japanese troops were able to invade from the north and occupy Singapore for three years.

The last stop on the line is Beach Monorail Station. From here you can transfer to the blue beach trams to get to Siloso Beach or the green trams to get to Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach. Siloso Beach is the one to go to for activities such as beach volleyball, canoeing, mountain biking and rollerblading. It’s also the location of Songs of the Sea, an hour-long music, fire, water and laser spectacular that is performed every night. You can also make up for the lack of waves by riding the artificial surf at the Wave House. The next beach along is Palawan Beach. Stop here for one of the numerous bars that sit practically on the sand. The last beach is Tanjong Beach. The smallest and most secluded of the three, this is the perfect place to chill out and maybe try the amazing food at the Tanjong Beach Club.

All these attractions are only a fraction of what’s on offer on the west side of Sentosa. Make sure you plan ahead as you may need tickets and bookings for some places. There are also plenty of hotels on Sentosa which offer perfect access to all the island’s treasures. The east side of Sentosa is mainly made up of private housing, a marina and a massive golf course. With wide quiet roads, don’t be afraid to explore this part of the island, the best way being by bicycle. With so much to do on Sentosa, you need more than a day to see everything. Luckily the transport system makes it easily accessible from anywhere in Singapore.

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Singapore River Explorer Boat Tours

The River Explorer is the latest addition to Singapore’s bustling waterways. Launched on January 1 2013, the River Explorer travels further up river than any tour boats or water taxis have been permitted to in the past.

The importance of the Singapore River in terms of the development of the country cannot be understated. Its necessity during Singapore’s pre-history as a fishing village is obvious, but once Sir Stamford Raffles sailed up it in 1819 it became the epicentre of trade and industry in Singapore. It was from this time, and this river, that Singapore became one of the most important trading posts in South East Asia and started the transformation into what stands today. The Singapore River stayed as a working river for well over 100 years; this led to its environmental decline so in the 1970s a massive clean-up plan was proposed. The enormous task was completed ten years later, and the river started its new life, evolving into the tourist attraction it is today. Since the building of the Marina Barrage in 2008, the Singapore River no longer flows into the sea, as the barrage has dammed the entrance to Marina Bay thus creating a new freshwater reservoir. So the importance of the Singapore River continues, with its waters supplying drinking water to the more than 5 million people that live in Singapore.

The Singapore River is approximately 3 kilometres long, from its source at Kim Seng Bridge to its mouth next to the Esplanade Theatre at Marina Bay. For the first time, you’ll be able to take a boat all the way from mouth to source and back again.

So what’s the best way to experience it all? The first option and a must for anyone visiting Singapore is the Boat Tour. At only $18 for adults and $9 for children and with boats leaving every half an hour between 9AM and 10.30PM, the tour is convenient as well as informative. For 40 minutes you will have a guided tour giving you a history of the river and the historic buildings that stand along the shore. Tours are primarily given in English but Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Bahasa Indonesia, Thai and Vietnamese are also available when booking in advance.

The second opinion is the Bubble Jet. More of a water bus than a water taxi, during peak hour periods there will be a pick-up every 10 minutes from one of the 13 embarkation points. Getting on the Bubble Jet at the Marina Barrage will take you to some of the following destinations: The Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay financial centre, Fullerton Bay Hotel, Merlion Park, Central Business District, Raffles Landing, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, Asian Civilisations Museum, The Arts House at the Old Parliament, Esplanade Park, Supreme Court, Funan Digital Mall, Swissotel Merchant Court, Chinatown, Fort Canning, Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay, Gallery Hotel, Studio M Hotel, Park Hotel Clarke Quay, Clarke Quay, Zouk, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium Hotel, Furama Riverfront Hotel, Copthorne King's Hotel and the end of the line, Great World City. All these locations are a very short distance from each embarkation point and as you can see by the amount of hotels located on the list, it’s perfect for visitors to check out the local sites or simply just to get from A to B. The final stop is the mall and cinema Great World City. This is also the source of the Singapore River. Although it looks like it keeps going, this is actually Alexander Canal, which extends westward from the original source of the Singapore River.

Go for the history and the sites or to simply visit the any number of bars, clubs and restaurants that line the banks, exploring the Singapore River is essential for any visitor to the country.

The River Explorer 

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Singapore Zoo, River Safari and Night Safari

Located roughly 20 kilometres from Singapore’s city centre lies the Singapore Zoo. A world renowned zoological park, it houses 315 different species. All the animals are kept in naturalistic “open exhibits”. Instead of bars and cages, barriers are hidden or a moat is used instead. This makes it easier for each enclosure to be landscaped in a style that’s close to the animal’s natural habitat. It also gives the visitors an excellent view. Singapore Zoo houses the largest captive colony of orang-utans in the world. Other animals living here include white tigers, African lions, gorillas, cheetahs, saltwater crocodiles, giraffes, jaguars, leopards, elephants, white rhinos and many, many more.  

You should start early when you visit the zoo, as there are three major attractions next to each other. The second on your list should be the River Safari. Opened in November 2012, the brand new River Safari is home to 5000 animals. Built as a series of river boat rides, you will visit famous rivers from around the world including the Nile, the Yangtze, the Mississippi and the Amazon. Animals you will see along the way include anacondas, electric eels, Mekong freshwater stingrays, manatees and the critically endangered Mekong giant catfish. If you’re not content with a gentle ride on the river, you just need to try some white water rafting. Unlike normal theme park rapids rides, this one will take you through the enclosure of the majestic Malayan Tiger. The River Safari also contains a 1,400 sq. metre structure called The Frozen Tundra which is home to two polar bears. The enclosure is completely climate controlled and its temperature matches that of the Artic. Undoubtedly though, the main attraction at the River Safari is the giant pandas. Kai Kai and Jia Jia also live a climate controlled enclosure; this one designed to rotate through the four seasons, mimicking the weather from the panda’s original home in China. The River Safari has also grown an 8000 sq. metre plantation of bamboo specifically to feed the two pandas.

Your last stop of the day is the Night Safari. Built in in the early 1990s, the Night Safari is the world’s first nocturnal zoo. Whereas most zoos reverse the day-night cycle in order for the animals to be awake during the day while the zoo is open, the Night Safari is designed so visitors can see nocturnal animals, outside in their natural habitat. You can see the animals from the walkways provided but the best way is to take the tram. This will take you deep into the enclosures with some animals coming so close you could reach out and touch them. With all the fencing and boundaries being so well hidden, it really does feel like you’re in the wild.

Singapore zoo is world renowned, the Night Safari is the first of its kind and still one of the only night safaris in world. It’s also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore. Still new, the River Safari is gaining worldwide recognition for its innovation and dedication to conservation. All three attractions are a must see for any visitor to Singapore. 

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One Day at Marina Bay

No trip to Singapore is complete without a visit to Marina Bay. As the entrance to the Singapore River, it was once an all-important trade route for fishermen and traders who were the life-blood of the island. Now it’s one of Singapore’s premier tourist attractions.

Instead of taking the train to Marina Bay MRT station, get off at Raffles Place and head east towards the Fullerton Bay Hotel. From here you should head north along the water towards the Merlion.

The Merlion is the mascot and national symbol of Singapore. Its fish body represents Singapore’s origin as a fishing village and the lion head represents Singapore’s original name, Singapura, meaning Lion City. The Merlion statue sits near the mouth of the Singapore River. At 8.6 metres tall and with a jet of water rushing out of his mouth, the Merlion is a must see to make any visit to Singapore complete.

From there you can catch a bumboat straight across the bay towards Marina Bay Sands. Opened in 2010, the $8 billion Marina Bay Sands is the most expensive stand-alone hotel casino ever built. Your first stop at this epic complex should be the ArtScience museum. Shaped like a lotus flower, this unique building does not fail to impress. With an always changing roster of international exhibitions, the ArtScience museum is just as impressive on the inside.

From there it’s into the mall. Officially called The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, this mega-mall really lives up to its name. At almost 93,000 square metres, it truly is a shopper’s paradise. If you’re one of the many people that doesn’t like shopping but once again have found yourself dragged to a shopping centre, perhaps you could take a gondola ride on the canal that runs through the mall. Or maybe sit and have a coffee beside the indoor waterfall, made up of collected rainwater. Plus there’s always the ice skating rink to keep you busy. Of course if something a bit more grown up is to your liking, then just pop into the casino. As the world’s largest atrium casino, with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines, it will be very easy to match any shopper in terms of time and money spent.

With shopping bags filled and chips cashed, it’s time to make a trip up to the SkyPark, 191 metres above ground. Make sure you bring swimwear as the SkyPark hosts the world’s longest infinity pool. Swimming to the edge and peering over to take in the view of the city from almost 200 metres high, while floating in 376,500 gallons of water is a genuinely breath-taking experience. After your swim you can have a meal in one of the world class restaurants that sit in the SkyPark. After dinner make sure you take a stroll through the hundreds of trees that make this rooftop paradise a true park. Your walk should take you to the north end of the park where the platform overhangs by 67 metres, giving unmatched views of Singapore.

It’s not over yet. To end the day why don’t you catch a show in one of the two 1,680-seat theatres located in the mall down below? And if you really want to keep the night going afterwards, party the rest of the night away at the “floating nightclub” on Marina Bay.

From national icons and traditional water transport all the way to the future of shopping and leisure, a day at Marina Bay is a must for anyone visiting Singapore. 

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Blown Away by Gardens by the Bay

Try not to get distracted when you go through the ticket stalls at Bayfront MRT station. In front of you will be the shopping mall located beneath the world famous Marina Bay Sands. One of the newest and most spectacular malls in Singapore, it has an ice rink, a floating Louis Vuitton store and even a canal running through the middle – complete with gondolas. But all that will have to wait, for Gardens by the Bay waits just ahead. After taking the underground walkway, you will emerge just near Dragonfly Bridge.

It’s hard to put into words what you will experience while standing on Dragonfly Bridge. In one direction is Marina Bay Sands, towing above you, almost imposing, definitely impressive. To one side of the bridge is the Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest Ferris wheel. But the most awe-inspiring site is in front of you. Knows as the Supertrees, these enormous plant covered structures, some as high as 50m, tower over the surrounding area looking like something from a science fiction film. These Supertrees do more than just look amazing. Some hold solar panels on the roof helping power the site, while others actually act as exhaust chimneys for the conservatories. Looking past the Supertrees are the conservatories themselves. Two massive white and glass dome structures, you might have seen them while driving from the airport on your arrival to Singapore. Now it’s time to see what’s inside.

After crossing the Dragonfly Bridge you will enter some of the many themed gardens on offer, including the Indian Garden, the Chinese Garden and Malay Garden. These gardens show of the diversity of local and near-local flora.

By now you will have reached the domes. After purchasing tickets head into the Flower Dome. You will need a few minutes to adjust your senses once in the Flower Dome. If you’ve been inside large conservatories before you know they’re usually hot and humid, but you’re in Singapore and there’s enough of that outside. The temperature and humidity inside the Flower Dome is as close to perfect as you could get, and with over 300,000 kinds of plants you may end up staying longer than planned. Although named the Flower Dome, its overall design is that of a desert. Ancient trees sit alongside strange cacti as different deserts from around the world are represented. Follow the path down to the very bottom of the dome to see the central flower display that gives the dome its name. Here you will find people relaxing, children playing and many, many photos being taken. It’s very tempting to sit here and soak up the atmosphere for hours but something a little more blood-tingling is waiting at the Supertrees.

Instead of going straight from one dome to the next, it’s time for a closer look at those Supertrees. You would have noticed as you walked towards the Flower Dome a high walkway between the two largest Supertrees. That is the OCBC Skyway, and if you’re afraid of heights, it might be time to go and have a coffee. Accessed by an elevator in one of the Supertrees, the 128m long walkway is not only exhilarating but also gives the best view of the entire Gardens. While you’re up there you should also try and get a close-up look at some of the 160,000 plants that grow on the Supertrees.

Before we move on to the last dome we should think about timing and the specific order we’ve chosen to see the attractions. The best time to visit Gardens by the Bay is mid-afternoon. The reason for this will become clear in a moment. The first stop is the Flower Dome so you can cool down after the walk from the MRT station. Next up is the Skywalk as it closes the before the domes, but the real reason for this timing is to experience the second dome, the whimsically but perfectly named Cloud Forest, at dusk.

Entering the Cloud Forest is truly a breathtaking experience. After being hit by a wave of cool air at the entrance, you walk further in to discover you are at the bottom of a 30m high waterfall. Rising up in the middle of the dome is a spectacular mountain, covered in greenery and with walkways weaving in and out of it. Make your way through the spray of the waterfall to the other side of the mountain where you can catch an elevator to the top. From the top you can slowly make your way back down using the almost-clear bottomed walkways, again, definitely not for someone who is afraid of heights. If this is timed correctly, you will make your way down as the sun sets and the world outside becomes a city of light. Through the dome windows you will be able to see the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands and the Supertrees, all lit up in a dazzling array of colours. Once you’ve completed the walkway you’ll find yourself deep inside the mountain. Here you will discover educational films and resources about the dangers of global warming and what humans can do to slow it down. You will also find a display that shows how the self-sustainability of the Gardens works. These displays really help to show that the Gardens and more than just a tourist attraction, they are also an example of pro-active conservation.

On your way out of the Gardens it’s time for one last stroll through Supertree Grove. Walking through them at night when they are all lit up is a mesmerizing experience. Even more so when you remember all the power is coming from the solar panels in the tress themselves. It’s the perfect way to end an amazing afternoon.

One of the more spectacular destinations in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay simply cannot be missed.

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