Singapore Scrapbook
Destinations
A fascinating mix of the exotic and familiar
Š Timothy Hursle
by Judi Rothenberg
Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Sky Park
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Changi Airport
Is this really an airport? The bathrooms rival the finest hotels, there’s an assortment of themed gardens (including butterfly, sunflower and orchid), the world’s longest slide, a movie theater, free WIFI, complimentary massage chairs, and a swimming pool. Passengers in transit can sign up for a free city tour if they have at least 5 hours before their connecting flight.
Marina Bay Sands
Hotel and Sky Park The Sky Park observatio n deck is just one attract ion at this Las Vegas style hot games and 2500 slot ma el. The casino has more chines. In the huge sho than 600 table pping complex of upsca a Sampan ride along the le boutiques, shoppers indoor canal or grab a can tak e a break with bite at one of nearly 30 res venues for live music and taurants. And just like theater. Vegas, there are
Great Heights At 42 stories high, the Singapore Flyer is the world’s tallest observation wheel and offers splendid views of the city. It takes 30 minutes to complete a rotation and each air-conditioned pod holds 28 people.
O
nce a tiny fishing village and British trading
spicy tomato sauce. Others may want to try the origi-
post, Singapore, has become a cosmopolitan city
nal “Singapore Sling” at Raffles Hotel or get a taste of
as well as a gateway to Southeast Asia. It’s as
the legendary durian fruit. Durians are the hedgehog
exotic as it is familiar; English being one of its four offi-
shaped fruit infamous for their repulsive odor and
cial languages. From the aromatic spice shops of Little
sweet (heatedly debated) custard taste. The smell is so
India to the intriguing temples in Chinatown, there’s a
horrific that it is banned from hotels and public trans-
fascinating mix of cultures and religions.
portation.
Each of the cultures — Malay, Chinese, Arab, Indian
Between meals (and snacks) there are plenty of activi-
and European –– leaves its imprint on the city and on
ties and sites to see, both natural and manmade. The
the tongue. The range of culinary experiences is excep-
Singapore Botanical Gardens showcase lush tropical
tional. From hawker carts to haute cuisine, Singapore
flora and fauna including over 1,000 species of orchids.
has positioned itself as a foodie destination.
Wild imagination created the astounding Sky Park, a
Many come to sample Singapore’s national dish, chili crab, a succulent finger-licking dish with a sweet and
rooftop deck impossibly cantilevered across the top of three skyscrapers. Impressive from the ground, mind continued on page xx
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Culinary Temptations Locals and tourists gather at street-hawker pavilions for fast and inexpensive meals. Rows of food-stalls are clustered together and offer a huge variety of Singaporean, Chinese, Malaysian and Indian dishes. Be prepared; they’re hot, crowded and noisy. Need some guidance? At makansutra.com you can book a street-food tour, watch a video preview of the offerings or buy the Makansutra guide (nearly 500 pages). For those adventurous with their palate but not their surroundings, the LINE at the Shangri-La Hotel has an extensive buffet that features 16 culinary food styles. It’s a super stylish setting with everything from steaming Cantonese dim sum to an Indian curry bar. The Shangri-La is also home to Blu, a sparkling jewel box on the 24th floor. Chef Kevin Cherkas presides over the kitchen and describes his menu as “traditional cooking with a twist.” The gastronomic experience is cunning and clever with unexpected presentations and flavor combinations. Cherkas is as charming as he is creative; the congenial chef is known to pop-out of the kitchen to serve a course or two and chat with his guests.
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continued from page xx
blowing at the top–– one of its features is an infinity swimming pool the length of three football fields. End your trip with a visit to Sentosa, an idyllic island playground with pristine beaches, luxury resorts and a wide range of recreational activities. Dive with the sharks at the Oceanarium, take an eco-adventure on a Segway, try the free-fall parachute simulator or simply bask in the sun. The entertainment offerings are endless (there’s even a Universal Studios theme park) and the free, efficient and clean network of beach trams and buses make it easy to get from one attraction to another. It’s a great way to relax before heading home.
Singapore Botanical Gardens If acclimating to the time zone is troublesome, keep in in mind that the Singapore Botanical Gardens is open every day of the year from 5 a.m. to midnight. Wander amongst 60,000 orchid plants, through a small rainforest or wind your way to the picturesque Victorian gazebo on the shore of Swan Lake.
Get a Fish-i-Cure Understandably, this “pedicure” isn’t for everyone, but if you’re a bit daring, join the locals at a “fish spa.” You’ll place your feet in a shallow pond and then hundreds of tiny fish will swarm around your feet and nibble off the dead skin. For an extra charge, you can get a relaxing back massage at the same time.
Sunset on Sentosa After a day of sun and sport, take a break at one of Sentosa’s beach clubs to watch the spectacular sunset.
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