Time of year: Winter
Weather: Warm and mild
Know Before You Go
Singapore is a life experience. The country is one of the more Westernized I have visited in Asia. There are more food options and a blend of commercial as well as industrial, residential, and entertainment parts of town that can feel vaguely familiar to what we are used to in the West. What caught me off guard were the ornate luxury malls. I’m not a stranger to shopping in big cities and I felt unprepared. It was next level shopping – luxury brands and brands I had never heard of, all offered up in huge, marble floored malls. If I hadn’t been traveling mostly with men, I could have spent a lot of time exploring. And probably would have needed to purchase an extra suitcase to bring everything I found home.
In terms of what a tourist experience is like, if you read the post on Shanghai you are informed about the experience of a squat pot. If not, skip over there to learn more. I mention it here because you’ll find a mix of modern restrooms and more regional ones like those. Be prepared either way. (Again, read more detail on the Shanghai post for tips.) Hotels can run the gamet in amenities offered based on age, how renovated they are, and if they are part of a global chain or not.
Getting around is easy in Singapore. Ride share programs are widely accepted and taxis/hiring cars is also relatively easy to do. Singapore has a VAT, a tax on goods and services, so be prepared for that.
What To Wear
When we were there in the winter Singapore had delightful weather – warm but not hot, clear and not rainy. Singapore has fairly mild weather year-round, however. I was there a second time during a different time of year and it was still nice. Temperatures range from 70s at night to 90s in the day. Being a slightly more tropical climate, you will find rain in the forecast several days per month. I packed a small umbrella just in case and also my anti-humidity leave-in hair treatment to combat any tendency for my relatively straight hair to take on wave. For clothing I packed layers and found myself to be comfortable in nice dress pants and a camisole with cardigan during the work days and a casual dress or capris and tees in the evenings and on the weekend. I didn’t see a single Singaporean walking around in their sweatpants. It could happen, I just didn’t see it. Keep in mind what you’ll be doing as well. Visiting a museum or place of worship? Keep it classy. Riding on the hop on/hop off? A summer dress or jeans and shirt are fine.
What to Eat
I don’t always have a specific recommendation for what to eat so much as offer general information and options. Here I have a definite recommendation. Chili crab. Big, delicious, spicy chili crab. My first time in Singapore coworkers took me to the Quay, a stretch of restaurants and bars along the water. While they were polite enough to ask if I was okay with the options, they pretty much ordered for the table and I am so glad they did. I was introduced to chili crab, black pepper crab, Tiger beer, and other delicious food. I enjoyed it so much the second time I was there it was one of my “must have” meals. The servers will bring out a bib. Yes, you will need it. Just put it on. The towel sized napkins will also be necessary. And the gloves. Just trust me. You won’t want to miss it.
Once you’ve indulged in all the chili crab your stomach can handle, check out Singapore’s global influences in Chinese, Malay, Indian, Thai and more types of food. Durian is Singapore’s “king of the fruits” but it’s signature smell kept me at bay. I tried jackfruit for the first time in Singapore and that was exotic enough.
Attractions and Activities
Marina Bay Sands and the Skypark Observation Deck: Marina Bay Sands is a structure you may recognize from pictures. It’s iconic construction, three towers with what looks to be a boat deck on top, sits high against the skyline. It’s impressive both during the day and at night. Marina Bay Sands includes a hotel with infinity pool on the sky deck, many restaurants and bars, a shopping center, a light and water show in the fountains outside, and an observation deck on the 57th floor from which you can get one of the best views of the city. Standing outside to take pictures of the structure will check something off your must-do list, but going inside is highly recommended. Having walked through the Shoppes, eaten at a celebrity chef restaurant, visited the Skypark Observation Deck, and having hung out with the cool kids overlooking the city at the rooftop bar at night, I can tell you it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
Gardens by the Bay and the Supertree Grove: Another visually stunning masterpiece. Rising from the ground are tree-like structures with walking bridges between them. During the day they are beautiful and unique. At night it is a wonder. There are light shows in the evening that are worth scheduling around so you can catch one.
Singapore has a great hop on/hop off bus designated for those of us who aren’t local and want to be able to see several parts of the city without having to hire taxis along the way. For example, there’s a great structure called the ArtScience Museum that you must see, even if only from the outside. It blooms from the streets in the shape of a lotus flower. It reminded of the Sydney Opera House in some ways. We hopped off in Chinatown, watched the architecture change to industrial, towering office buildings around Nankin Row, and just in general enjoyed seeing the variation in the city from the rooftop bus.
What Was Missed
I missed the Botanic Gardens and National Orchid Garden, the Singapore Zoo, the Cloud Forest, a boat tour to see the city from the water (of which there is plenty), taking a guided tour (I probably would have learned even more about this great country if I had), the Singapore Flyer ferris wheel (some great views likely to be had), the Wildlife Reserves, and much more. Since I was in the country for work I only had so much free time to explore, and some of my evenings were spent at dinners or preparing for the next day so I had to be choosey. If you are lucky enough to go strictly for vacation, take advantage of all of these, and other, great options, and don’t forget the chili crab!
Trip Summary
Honestly, if I could pick one “far away” country to take my family back to, Singapore would be at the top of the list. It is a great combination of modern yet traditional, and has a wonderful global influence that makes it accessible. The weather is amazing, the food delicious, and the atmosphere delightfully new but not totally foreign – which makes traveling there a bit more comfortable for Westerners, in my humble opinion.
Not Tomorrow 