Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign island country and city-state in maritime Southeast Asia. Singapore’s name is itself derived from ‘Singa Pura’ (which means “Lion City”). According to the Malay Annals, Sang Nila Utama, a prince from Palembang, gave this name to the island after he came ashore and saw a creature he believed to be a lion. Singapore known as a global financial hub has its territory composed of one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. The city of Singapore is well connected via public transport facilities offered by the government including MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and buses. The country attracts millions of tourists every year and offers them a wide range of attractions including Universal Studios, Gardens by the bay, Zoo, Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, Orchard Street, Arab Street, Singapore Flyer, Sentosa, and many more. Singapore is placed highly in key social indicators: education, healthcare, quality of life, personal safety, infrastructure, and housing, with a home-ownership rate of 88 percent. Singaporeans enjoy one of the longest life expectancies, the fastest Internet connection speeds, the lowest infant mortality rates, and the lowest levels of corruption in the world.
Singapore City Tour
City Tour is everyone’s favorite part especially when you are new to the city. One can experience the splendor and magic of Singapore on a half-day city tour with friends and family. The world-famous, Merlion Statue, Singapore’s official emblem, set in gorgeous Merlion Park is just love at first sight. Admire the breathtaking views of the Singapore Flyer, the country’s tallest observation wheel. Get to know about the heritage and culture of Singapore by witnessing some amazing landmarks of the country like Chinatown, Mount Faber, Helix Bridge, Lau Pa Sat, Little India, the Jewellery Factor, and Kampong Glam. Singapore’s Hop On, Hop Off Bus tours can give you a complete tour of the city. Don’t forget to see the iconic Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, and the Botanic Gardens during your city tour.
CÉ LA VI, Marina Bay Sands
If you’re excited to take your partner on a romantic date, CÉ LA VI is the perfect place for you. CÉ LA VI is Southeast Asia’s premier rooftop dining and entertainment destination located atop the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark. In French, “c’est la vie” means “that’s life”. With an amazing bar on the rooftop and a special observation deck built for the guests, this place offers a mesmerizing view of the entire city. They have made 3 sections: Restaurant, Sky Bar, and Club Lounge. The food and bar menu is quite exquisite and the place is known for the chef’s special desserts. Reservations are a must if you really wanna visit this beautiful place.
Singapore Zoo
The Singapore Zoo, formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens or Mandai Zoo, is a 28 hectares (69 acres) zoo located on the margins of Upper Seletar Reservoir within Singapore’s heavily forested central catchment area. Opened in 1973, the zoo was built at a cost of $9 million which was granted by the government of Singapore. It is operated by the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which also manages the neighboring Night Safari, River Wonders, Jurong Bird Park as well as the forthcoming Rainforest Wild Park. All five parks make up the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which consists of more than 15,000 animals from 1,000 species. Within the zoo, there are about 315 species of animals, of which some 16 percent are considered to be threatened species. The zoo attracts over 2 million visitors every year. You definitely wouldn’t wanna miss the Giraffe Feeding Show, Elephant Feeding Show, Goat Feeding Show, White Rhinoceros Feeding Show, Giant Tortoise Feeding Show, and Zebra Feeding Show at the zoo. Do take the tram ride to move around between the stations at the zoo and explore the homes of some unique wild species there. If you’re a Mandai Wildlife Reserve member then don’t forget to grab discounts at all the restaurants.
Night Safari, Singapore is the world’s first nocturnal zoo located in Mandai, Singapore. One of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, it forms part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve along with the River Wonders, Singapore Zoo, and Jurong Bird Park. Night Safari offers you an amazing wildlife night experience. You just have to sit in the tram and listen to the audio while they take you close to the wildlife. There is a wildlife show which happens before you begin your wildlife experience. You can book the show tickets online which opens 2 hours before your night safari experience only. Don’t miss out on this special show during your visit.
Genius Central
Genius Central is more than a cafe. It is an experience where the best creative ideas can unfold naturally and turn into successful business ventures, collaborations, or partnerships. Enjoy your time with your family, friends, or colleagues at Genius Central. You will fall in love with Falafel Bowl the moment you take the first bite. Avocado Toast and Avocado Bowl taste good too if you wanna go with some healthier options. The area around Genius Central has many corporate office buildings and hang-out places. Their hubs are only the beginning of what is growing into a world network of cultural hubs that provide mentoring, events, and a meeting place for entrepreneurs in some of the most breathtaking locations.
Little Farms
Little Farms is Singapore’s neighborhood market, offering the freshest, healthiest, and most delicious natural produce, meats, seafood, dairy, and other grocery products, in our stores, cafes, and online. After a tremendous uproar, they launched their own cafe offering great coffee and a range of healthy and delicious food made with their own products. Their Bacon Burger, Avocado Toast and Chocolate Pancakes are never to be missed.
Singapore River Cruise
Enjoy your day sailing across Singapore’s most serene river with your loved ones. Singapore River Cruise seeks to preserve the heritage of the Singapore River. Bumboats have been plying the Singapore River for more than a century. From sail-powered bumboats of their founding days to their silent and environmentally-friendly electric versions today, Bumboats have come a long way. Singapore River Cruise starts from Clarke Quay and sails through Boat Quay, Marina Bay, and Marina South. Please make sure you sit on the deck/open area of the boat to enjoy this beautiful and pleasant sailing experience. There would be a TV on the boat to guide the guests about the places the boat passes. You can book your desired timeslot for sailing on the Singapore River Cruise website.
Bangkok Jam
A must-visit place for all Thai food lovers. Inspired by the vivacious Bangkok, otherwise known as the “City of Angel”, Bangkok Jam started with a refreshing idea – to offer a modern twist to traditional Thai fare for diners who seek a contemporary culinary experience. Bangkok Jam, located in Great World Mall shares an extraordinary bond with the guests by offering delicious Thai cuisine on your palate. Cabbage Peanut Salad as an appetizer and Pad Thai Noodles served with crushed peanuts, chili flakes, sugar, and lemon were the highlights of our meal.
Sentosa
Sentosa is an island resort off Singapore’s southern coast, connected to the city by road, cable car, pedestrian boardwalk, and monorail. By Sentosa Station, Tiger Sky Tower has panoramic views that can stretch as far as Indonesia. On the south coast, Palawan Beach is lined with food stalls and bars and has a suspension bridge to a small offshore island. Palm-lined, crescent-shaped Tanjong Beach is more tranquil. Sentosa is definitely an alias for adventures. The island has mind-bowing adventure activities including Bungee-Jump, Zipline, Skyline Luge, Giant Swing, Sentosa I-Fly Indoor Skydiving, Skyhelix, Adventure Cove WaterPark etc. Other fun activities include Wings of Time Show, Tricky-Eye 4D museum, Sea Aquarium and Siloso Beach Walk. They have arranged a beach tram to take the guests to different places on the island. Enjoy your time in Sentosa.
Masalaa Bar Singapore
A quirky bar and bonhomie featuring food that’s sure to get you hooked, Masaala Bar is not just a restaurant, but a whole darn vibe! Serving fun Indian street and flashy food in a whole new avatar, they are easy on your pockets and heavily wicked on your tastebuds! Born, conceptualized, and booming in the buzzing Singaporean landscape, it’s the perfect place to zhuzh up your meals, with a zingy dash of Masalaa! The most recommended dishes include Martini Pav Bhaji, Vada Pav, and Spicy Misal Pav.
Gardens By The Bay – Cloud Forest and Flower Dome
The Gardens by the Bay is a nature park spanning 101 hectares (250 acres) in the Central Region of Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Reservoir. The park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden (in Marina South), Bay East Garden (in Marina East), and Bay Central Garden (in Downtown Core and Kallang). The largest of the gardens is the Bay South Garden at 54 hectares (130 acres) designed by Grant Associates. Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, and SuperTree Groves are the most favorable tourist attractions inside the bay. Its Flower Dome is the largest glass greenhouse in the world. Cloud Forest, on the other hand, had an avatar-themed experience for the guests. SuperTree Groves Deck area is the perfect place for taking selfies and photographs with a heavenly view of the gardens in the background. There is an elevated walkway, the OCBC Skyway, between two of the larger Supertrees for visitors to enjoy a panoramic aerial view of the Gardens. Every night, at 7:45pm and 8:45pm, the Supertree Grove comes alive with a coordinated light and music show known as the Garden Rhapsody. The accompanying music to the show changes every month or so, with certain themes such as A World of Wonder and A Night of Musical Theatre, which features excerpts/pieces from films like Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean. There is also an available attraction called the Supertree Observatory, which opened on 27 December 2019. The observatory is housed inside the tallest Supertree which is 50 meters tall. It comprises three levels, the ground floor, the Observatory Space, and the Open-Air Rooftop Deck. Visitors can take the lift up to the Observatory Space and thereafter take a flight of stairs up to the Rooftop Deck. The Observatory Space is located one level below the rooftop deck and it consists of an indoor area with full-height glass windows, as well as a peripheral outdoor walkway. Here visitors can also experience a message about the effects of climate change conveyed through digital media. The Open-Air Rooftop Deck, which is an open-air observation deck on the canopy of this Supertree, offers 360-degree unblocked views of the Gardens and the Marina Bay area.
Orchard Street – Christmas Celebrations
Orchard Road is Singapore’s retail heart, with discount outlets, department stores, and upscale boutiques, alongside luxury hotels. Emerald Hill Road is a mix of colorful Chinese baroque houses and casual pubs, while al fresco bars and eateries can be found along nearby Cuppage Terrace. The Newton Food Centre is a popular foodie hub, offering everything from barbecued seafood and roasted meats to traditional desserts. Christmas Celebrations on Orchard Street are always phenomenal. Hitachi was a sponsorer for the 2022 Christmas and New Year Celebrations on Orchard Street. We saw a high intensity of magical performances on the streets of Singapore performed by marvelous artists and magicians. The crowd was in abundance at this time of the year and people at each and every corner of the street were celebrating happiness, and kindness and sharing the joy of Christmas and New Year.
Lau Pa Sat
Lau Pa Sat also known as Telok Ayer Market is a historic building located within the Downtown Core in the Central Area of Singapore. It’s a street food hub that brings together all the flavourful cuisines of the world. Some of the world-famous cuisines include Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Lebanese, Turkish, Singaporean, and many more. We tried the Katsu Chicken Ramen Bowl at the Korean food outlet. Do try their chilled Ice teas as well. They are simply amazing.
Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay was named after Sir Andrew Clarke, Singapore’s second Governor and Governor of the Straits Settlements from 1873 to 1875, who played a key role in positioning Singapore as the main port for the Malay states of Perak, Selangor, and Sungei Ujong. Famous as a party hub of Singapore, Clark Quay comes to life during the night. Situated at the mouth of the Singapore River, the Clarke Quay is a major tourist attraction flanked by stylish restaurants, high-end boutiques, and pushcart vendors with a fusion of Asian and European cultures. Also lined up along the river are buzzing nightclubs, river cruise bumboats, and floating cafes that make the place Singapore’s major wining and dining area. Different eating joints serve various cuisines including fine French and Italian to brew houses and outdoor bars with a riverfront view. Bamboo Bar at the Forbidden City, Bar Opiume at the Empress Place, Lunar Asian Fusion Bar, and Attica or Canvas are some of the most happening places for after-hour party lovers. The restaurants at Clarke Quay are in the shape of boats if you take a look at the aerial view of the entire place.
Universal Studios Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located within the Resorts World Sentosa in Sentosa, Singapore. It features 28 rides, shows, and attractions in seven themed zones. It is one of the six Universal Studios theme parks around the world. There are a total of 24 attractions, of which 18 are original or specially adapted for the park. The park consists of six themed zones surrounding a lagoon. Each zone is mostly based on movies and/or television, featuring its own attractions, meet and greet locations, over 30 restaurants and food carts, and 20 retail stores and carts located around the park. The Christmas time at Universal Studios is absolute madness. The famous themed zones over there are Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, and Far Far Away. Roller Coasters are a must if you’re in for an adrenaline rush. Transformers, Mummy ride, and Shrek World are good adventure spots to start with. There are a couple of live shows and parades which happen throughout the day. The timings would be listed on the universal studios android or ios app. The evening Hollywood parade is never to be missed. Madagascar adventures would be fun to explore too. Lights! Camera! Action! Hosted by Steven Spielberg is a must-watch show that features special effects that mimic a major hurricane exactly as it gets shot in the movie.
Marche Restaurant
Marché Mövenpick Singapore is a Swiss marketplace restaurant that offers a wide selection of fresh and healthy products! They have two outlets in Singapore, one in Somerset and the other one in Vivo City mall. Here, you can tuck into delicious, authentic European delights cooked live. The underground space in Somerset is reserved for a live street-food-style market and has spacious seating arrangements for guests. They have a small play area for the kids too. The one in Vivo City mall is located on the rooftop and offers dining in an open space giving you a more cozy vibe. Do try their Chocolate Strawberry Crepe and Chocolate Waffles from their desserts menu. The restaurant doesn’t offer online reservations, so a walk-in becomes your best choice. Have fun!
Labrador Park
Labrador Nature Reserve, also known locally as Labrador Park, is located in the southern part of mainland Singapore. It is home to the only rocky sea cliff on the mainland that is accessible to the public. The entire nature reserve, together with the current park, used to be known as Pasir Panjang Beach (Pasir Panjang, translated from Malay, means similarly to “Long Beach”). The area used to be where a long strip of coastal land was at high tide and a rocky beach was at low tide before land reclamation took place and formed the seawall and the modern park seen today. You can see runners jogging in the morning and enjoying the fresh air near the seashore. Don’t get surprised if you see people camping in this place making it a perfect picnic spot. The kids’ garden area is quite fun to explore too. People also often do fishing here in their free time.
MRT
The Mass Rapid Transit system, locally known by the initialism MRT, is a rapid transit system in Singapore and the island country’s principal mode of railway transportation. The system commenced operations in November 1987 after two decades of planning with an initial 6 km stretch consisting of five stations. The best way to travel in most cases from location A to B would be via MRT. You can just buy a minimum of 10$ MRT card and begin your travel. Masks are compulsory to wear during your travel to avoid spreading covid-19 disease. Don’t be surprised to see the MRT train taking you directly to a station (Vivo City) inside the mall. The MRT is fully automated and is the most extensive driverless rapid transit system in the world. Asset renewal works are periodically carried out to modernize the network and ensure its continued reliability; all stations feature platform screen doors, Wi-Fi connectivity, lifts, climate control, and accessibility provisions, among others. Much of the early network is elevated above the ground on concrete viaducts, with a small portion running at grade; newer lines are largely subterranean, incorporating several of the lengthiest continuous subway tunnel sections in the world.
Helix Bridge
The Helix Bridge, officially The Helix, and previously known as the Double Helix Bridge, is a pedestrian bridge linking Marina Centre with Marina South in the Marina Bay area in Singapore. Canopies (made of fritted glass and perforated steel mesh) are incorporated along parts of the inner spiral to provide shade for pedestrians. The bridge has four viewing platforms sited at strategic locations which provide views of the Singapore skyline and events taking place within Marina Bay. At night, the bridge will be illuminated by a series of lights that highlight the double-helix structure, thereby creating a special visual experience for the visitors.
Tanjong Beach
Tanjong Beach, located on Sentosa Island in Singapore, is an ideal getaway from the city’s concrete jungle. A placid sea, mild waves, crystal clear waters, golden sands, pristine air, shady palm trees, and verdant vegetation make it one of the prettiest beaches to enjoy nature’s paradise. Unlike the other 2 beaches in Sentosa – Siloso Beach and another one stands for Palawan Beach, Tanjong beach has fewer organized activities, making it an ideal destination for people who like to laze around, read a book, or stroll with their soulmate along the coastline. The bridge in the video connects you to a scenic spot to enjoy the panoramic view of the beach and it is indeed the southernmost tip of continental Asia. You can take a beach tram from the beach station to reach this place. You might spot a lot of people playing volleyball and football on the beach. Swimming is allowed on the beach up to a certain point in the sea and is monitored by routine coastal guard checks.
Overall Experience And Rating
We started this amazing trip in the month of December 2022. Special Thanks to Amit and Snehal Batavia for the hospitality. On our arrival at the Singapore Changi airport, we headed straight to our hotel room. On our way to the hotel, we did a short Singapore City Tour watching the places like Helix Bridge, Marina Bay Sands, Gardens By the Bay, etc. pass by. Our most recommended places for lunch/dinner in Singapore include Masaala Bar for all Misal Pav lovers, Marche restaurant for Swiss-styled made products, Lau Pa Sat for all street food lovers, Bangkok Jam to satiate your hunger with Thai cuisine, Genius Central for all healthy food options, Little Farms for pancakes and burger fans and CÉ LA VI as the most romantic place to be with your partner. The best place to book all your attraction tickets would be Klook. They offer 7-9 attraction pass where you can select the list of activities to do followed by slot booking. Singaporean citizens enjoy discounted prices on the Klook app and the attraction’s main website. Sentosa is a must-visit place for it has the most number of adventure activities including Giant Swing, Bungee Jump, Skyline Luge, Zipline, Sentosa I-Fly Indoor Skydiving, Skyhelix, and Adventure Cove Waterpark. Merlion Park gives you the most amazing view of Marina Bay Sands and highlights the 70-ton merlion statue. Do visit this place once during your trip. If you enjoy beaches, then Palawan beach, Siloso beach, and Tanjong beach would be our most recommended beaches. Also, Universal Studios is a magical place to be with your loved ones. Singapore has two Casino places, one in Marina Bay Sands and another one in Universal Studios. Gambling comes with a risk, so it’s better to avoid it. Marina Bay Sands, Gardens By the Bay, Singapore Zoo, and Night Safari are some of the most iconic places to visit in Singapore. There’s a floating Apple showroom and Louis Vuitton store right next to Marina Bay Sands to give you an immersive shopping experience. We stayed in Singapore for 23 days and covered most of the excursions the country had to offer. It rains anytime in Singapore so it’s better to carry an umbrella everywhere or buy a quick Poncho from the 7-eleven store. Enjoy your trip!
Ambience – 5/5
Food – 4.9/5
Service – 4.9/5
Stay & Comfort – 5/5
Address: River Valley Road, Singapore
The Food Punch Recommendation – 5/5
Contact us regarding any queries – thefoodpunched@gmail.com
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