A Singapore Fling
We have all experienced it before, becoming disillusioned by the monotony of our own city and being tempted by the bright lights of a new, younger looking city, which promises a good time and has never let you down. Well, Singapore seems to offer all that and The Lion City just might capture your heart after a debaucherous trip full of visits to delicious hawker centres, trendy shopping malls, fascinating cultural activities, beautiful architecture and thrilling nightlife.
Singapore 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 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.
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.
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 metrópolis 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
Fairmont Singapore
If you want to feel the pulse of Singapore’s busy City Hall area coursing through your veins then Fairmont Singapore is the place for you.
Fairmont Singapore is ideally situated at the heart of the city; the crossroads of Singapore's business, cultural, entertainment and shopping districts. With City Hall Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train station a stones throw away, guests can conveniently make their way around the city using the low cost public transportation service. Alternatively, due to the hotel’s central location, it is possible to go on foot to numerous sightseeing destinations; not only convenient but an ideal way to get to grips with Singapore.
Fairmont Singapore is located in the Raffles City complex and is opposite the famed Raffles Hotel and comes under the umbrella of FRHI Hotels & Resorts; a leading global hotel company with over 105 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands. Swissotel The Stamford, also located in the Raffles City complex shares its facilities, including a state of the art gym and swimming pool, with Fairmont Singapore, offering guests the opportunity to visit any restaurant or bar run by one of the two hotels and conveniently sign the bill to their room. Guests staying at either of these hotels are able to access the impressive Raffles City for great shopping and seemingly limitless food options.
Fairmont Singapore comprises 769 guestrooms and suites as well as a distinct collection of 15 restaurants and bars,
the award-winning Willow Stream Spa and the cuttingedge Raffles City Convention Centre, offering 70,000 square feet of prime meeting space - all supported by the hotel's award-winning service team.
The newly renovated rooms in the East Tower are beautiful and in keeping with the local culture. The purple hued rooms are based around a Peranakan theme; the artwork of the people who descended from the 15th and 16th century interracial marriages between Chinese immigrants and local women from what is now Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.
This is an ideal location for guests looking for a hotel in the heart of the city with lots of food and shopping options and convenient links to the rest of the city. We suggest checking out the New Asia Bar (dubbed as one of the 50 best bars in the world), which is located on the 70th floor of the Swissotel, for fantastic views of the city.
