Where Innovation Meets Tradition

Our week in Singapore was the start of a month-long Asian jaunt which included Vietnam and Cambodia.  We timed our departure to coincide with the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, attending a F1 Grand Prix in another country was high on the bucket list, and the primary reason we were here, but Singapore turned out to be more than we imagined.  

Singapore is a dynamic, ultra-modern city in Southeast Asia, known for its striking skyline, cleanliness, and efficient infrastructure. It’s a global financial hub, blending a diverse mix of cultures—mainly Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western influences—creating a vibrant and harmonious society. 

The city is famous for its green spaces like the Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island, and Singapore Botanic Gardens, which stand in contrast to its urban landscape. Marina Bay Sands is iconic, featuring a rooftop infinity pool and stunning views of the city. 

Culturally rich, Singapore offers a blend of world-class shopping, dining (especially its street food and hawker centres), and entertainment options.  In short, Singapore is a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity, innovation and nature, offering a unique and seamless experience for tourists.

The beauty of the Singapore Grand Prix, all the action occurred at night, so we had all day to explore this amazingly clean city that was well organized and easy to get around.  I happened to stumble across The Festive Hotel on Sentosa Island at a ridiculously low price because there were upgrades happening to one of the wings while we were there, and were warned there could be some noise during the day.  Given we were going to be out exploring most of the day and aware we could use the Hard Rock Café Hotel facilities next door, I was pretty comfortable with our choice and best of all it was half the usual price.   

Sentosa Island doesn’t really feel like an island, you can get there by all modes of transportation, but was an amazing place to stay with a tone of things to do, all in walking distance or on the Sentosa Express monorail.  One of our favorite places to eat was Malaysian Food Street, it is a cluster of hawker stalls that offer up a variety of Malaysian hawker fare, you feel like you’ve been transported back to colonial Malaysia rather than being in a food court in Singapore.  The food was amazing and reasonably priced by Singapore Standards. 

We explored the island in depth. There are three options for swimmers: Siloso Beach, Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach, you can also go for a dip at one of the pools at the various beach clubs.  While at Siloso Beach we took a fun segway tour of the area which the whole family really enjoyed. Sentosa is known for its lush greenery, pristine beaches, and iconic attractions, and riding the Segway allowed us to cover more ground effortlessly while enjoying the views. 

The Singapore Zoo was another great day out, we arranged to have breakfast with the Orangutangs which was a great way to start our day.  We had our photo taken with these charming creatures and enjoyed a buffet breakfast before exploring its ‘open concept’ rainforest environment. There were the typical animals and exhibits but one of our favourites was watching a polar bear repeatedly diving towards us and kicking of the glass wall to do it over again.  The white tigers were also fascinating to watch and quite an amazing looking creature.   

When we visit a big city anywhere in the world the hop on hop off bus is always a favourite of ours to do.  It is an easy way to get around, you know anything worth seeing will be included on the route and the best thing of all, you decide if you want to jump off or not to explore in more depth the many sights and attractions a city has to offer.  Once you’ve finished you jump back on and continue of your way.  Singapore was no exception, this tour included Orchard Rd, a shopper’s paradise with a dazzling array of luxury boutiques, Little India, Chinatown, Marina Bay and the famous Raffles Hotel, just to name a few.  Another of my bucket list items included drinking a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel and you can read more about that here. 

On our last day in Singapore Brynie got to choose what she wanted to do because she was at the Grand Prix track for 3 nights under sufferance watching cars go around in circles as she described it.  Universal Studio’s located on Sentosa Island was her choice, and under no sufferance at all, the whole family had an awesome day exploring the theme park.  The park is divided into seven themed zones with Hollywood at the main entrance area and recreates the glamour of Hollywood with its famous Walk of Fame, iconic movie props, and classic architecture.  Universal Studios Singapore is a must-visit destination for movie lovers, thrill-seekers, and families alike. With a wide variety of themed rides, shows, and attractions, it provides an unforgettable experience for all ages. Whether you’re looking for heart-racing adventures or simply want to immerse yourself in the magic of your favorite movies, Universal Studios Singapore has something for everyone. 

Singapore was one of the more beautiful cities I’ve travelled too, the people were friendly, the transport system is easy to navigate but it was so hot and humid.  We were there is September, and I felt constantly drowned in sweat, and with hair not designed for humidity I wore a headband in an attempt to style the flat and frizzy look that adorned me the moment I walked out the door.  We balanced our days with early starts sightseeing, back at the pool in the afternoon and making our way to the racetrack in the evenings, it was the perfect way to see this vibrant city.   

Whether you’re hunting for mouthwatering food, stories or architecture, wanting to explore the vibrant cultures and rich heritage of Singapore, this city has something for everyone.  If you’re a Formula 1 fan you must come and experience the thrill of watching a race under lights.  It was nothing short of spectacular, click here to read more about my Formula 1 bucket list experience in Singapore.  

There are so many ways to embrace and create your own Sense of Adventure in this beautiful city.  I feel like we only just touched the surface and will certainly be back. I was left wanting to discover more and delve deeper into all Singapore has to offer when the circus called Formula 1 is not in town. 

To read more about the Vietnam leg of this trip Click Here.