CITY LIVING
TRAVEL TALK
A Singapore Fling
Nyima Pratten
ing ced it before, becom n ie er p ex ll a e av We h own city monotony of our e th by ed on , si lu disil ht lights of a new ig br e th by d te p and being tem mises a good time ro p h ic h w , ty ci g younger lookin gapore u down. Well, Sin yo t le er ev n s ight a h and e Lion City just m Th d n a at th ll a of seems to offer ucherous trip full a eb d a er ft a rt ea g capture your h es, trendy shoppin tr n ce r ke aw h s u visits to delicio ivities, beautiful ct a l ra u lt cu g in malls, fascinat rilling nightlife. th d n a re tu ec it h arc
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ingapore is a cultural melting pot of nationalities. Just over five million people live on the small island country, yet two million of them are foreign born. The majority of the population is made up of Chinese followed by Malays, Indians, Eurasians and countless others. The cultural diversity of the people and the culture is striking for anyone who lives in Mainland China and used to the omnipresence of a single race. Singapore was always a busy port city, attracting traders from all around the world. The first Chinese settlers moved to what is now known as Singapore in the 15th and 16th centuries before the island was colonised by the British in the 19th century. Now, as currently one of the world’s leading commercial hubs, it still attracts people from all walks of life looking to make their millions. With its great healthcare, education and strong economy, it may seem like a utopian paradise, and yes, the fantastic shopping and well-rounded people are reason enough to visit. Yet if you scratch the surface of the country’s history, you will find a nation rich in culture and bursting to the seams with new and old architectural gems. Grab a map and take a walk starting from the Asian Civilisation Museum to City Hall. On your way, take in Parliament House; originally a private mansion, it is now the oldest government building in Singapore. The old fashioned building looks almost superimposed on the city’s modern skyline in the background, a small signal of the rapid change and development Singapore has witnessed in its recent history. Next, work your
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Marina Bay Sands waterfront
way up towards Makansutra Glutton’s Bay hawker market, located on the Esplanade, with a fantastic view across the water looking out to Marina Bay Sands, the famous, if slightly odd building topped by a boat. Order the famous, local chilli crab, rich in flavour and accompanied by a thick and delightfully gelatinous sauce or the oyster omelette. After satisfying your hunger, carry on to the Peranakan Museum to learn more about a unique local community formed in and around the Singapore area from the intermarriages of Chinese and Malay people. The museum is housed in a beautiful colonial style building, formally the Tao Nan Chinese School, and possesses one of the most comprehensive collections of Perenakan objects. Finish off your day by shopping at Raffles City or reflecting on your journey over a well deserved, and infamous, Singapore Sling at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel. The country’s namesake drink was actually created at the Long Bar in the early 20th century and is more popular than ever today, with hoards of people vying for a seat at the famous bar. Make sure to grab some monkey nuts and scatter your shells on the floor, as is customary.
A trip to some of the mini towns belonging to the many Singaporean residents’ countries of origin is also a worthwhile experience. Visit Arab Street and the surrounding areas, to see the impressive Masjid Sultan (Sultan Mosque) in Kampong Glam. Eat authentic Arabic food such as fresh tabbouleh, humus and kebabs along with a glass of iced tea whilst nonchalantly puffing on a shisha pipe. After eating, visit the independent, alternative clothing and textile boutiques in the narrow laneways of the Arab Quarter; a great place to while away the afternoon. Little India is an interesting expedition, especially if you visit on a Sunday evening when all of the male, Indian construction workers have a day off and congregate in the area. Although there was unrest recently between the Indian and Chinese population, a visit to Little India is still advised just so that you can eat the best masala dosa, naan bread and curry in the city before washing it all down with a mango lassi. Finally, China Town. Although not top of the list for people visiting from the Mainland, it is an essential stop for Club Street alone. Located in China Town, it is a fantastic spot for a few drinks and people watching, with patrons teaming out into the streets as a result of the year round balmy weather as well as benefitting from the relatively (for Singapore) cheap drinks. Afterwards, soak up your drink with the local dish of mee goring, fried Chinese egg noodles.
Peranakan Museum
Finally, no visit to Singapore is complete without a visit to Gardens by the Bay. This is a great place for adults and children alike. Escape into a natural playground where you are transported from the city into an exotic adventure playground. There are numerous attractions in the complex such as the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Supertree Grove and the Children’s Garden. Walking the OCBC Skyway, a 128-metre long walkway at a height of 22-metres connecting two Supertrees in the Supertree Grove, is a must, or dining at the 50 metre high Supertreetop Bistro for panoramic views of the surrounding area. Your lungs will feel completely cleansed after a day at the eco-friendly park, and from a stay in the Singaporean Garden City in general. Singapore is the ideal country for a short break from home, the climate, friendly environment, ubiquitous food stalls, history, culture and shopping all conspire to make you flirt with the idea of turning a fling into a lifelong love.
Arabic food
Masjid Sultan
Chilli crab
A shopping street in the Arab Quarter Shangri-La Singapore's grounds
Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay
Doorman at the hotel's entrance
Deluxe Room
Shangri-La Singapore If you are looking to stay in a secluded, luxurious environment with easy access to the rest of the city, then Shangri-La Singapore is the place for you. Shangri-La Singapore is set amongst 15 acres of landscaped gardens, and you could be forgiven for almost forgetting that you are actually in the heart of a modern day metropolis after getting lost in the bright, beautiful and fresh grounds. Consistently voted as one of the best hotels in the world, Shangri-La Singapore will not fail to disappoint. With over 40 years of operational history, this plot on Orange Grove Road was the site of the first ever Shangri-La hotel and originally only housed a few bungalows and fruit trees, some of which can still be found in the grounds today, before growing and maturing along with the city.
The recently renovated Garden Wing offers travellers a tropical welcome with a private balcony complete with a coffee table and lounge chair, perfect for admiring the views out towards the lush green surroundings of the hotel. At the heart of the Garden Wing, the three-storey, rock garden atrium serves as a bubbling oasis and sets a relaxed mood for the entire hotel. The large grounds offer a tranquil paradise and the sense of space you get when walking around the exotic gardens is extremely soothing. It is the perfect place to take a relaxing, peaceful stroll whilst viewing the 110 varieties of 133,000 plants, flowers and trees, which include ornamental flowering trees, aquatic plants, vibrant tropical flowers and shady fruit trees. There are garden tours every Friday morning available to guests who want to discover more about the local flora and fauna native to the region.
However, the large space is not devoted completely to the gardens. Those with a young family, or those who are still young at heart, should be excited to hear that the hotel has a new free-form swimming pool, three times the size of the original! If you wish to leave the luxurious sanctuary that is your room, you will find yourself only a brisk walk away from Orchard Road shopping district, a designer laden shopping Mecca, and Orchard Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train station with great connections to the rest of the city. This particular Shangri-La is steeped in history and naturally the brand’s signature way of providing personal, dedicated attention to every single one of its guests is at the forefront of everything they do. This is the perfect place to receive some well deserved pampering. Web: www.shangri-la.com/singapore
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