June 2023 - Singapore

On the flight home we booked four days stop-over in Singapore. We both haven't been for decades and it was incredible how much the city has changed!

My main impressions of Singapore? The humidity and daily rain, efficiency of public transport, different ethnic enclaves, the hawker centres (food courts), contrast between old and new and the daringly different architecture.

The airport is a city in itself with several terminals, a connecting train and the Jewel shopping centre. The spectacular donut-shaped design has six levels of retail and dining outlets, a forest along the inside and a gigantic waterfall in the middle that lights up at night.

Our hotel was near the harbour, just a few subway stops from all the attractions. We even used the swimming pool to cool down because it was so hot and humid.

Here, some of the famous sights: Gardens by the Bay (in the rain)

Marina Bay Sands

The Merlion (a mythical creature with a lion's head and the body of a fish).

The Fullerton Hotel (where a coffee costs ~A$16)

Tekka Centre in Little India (where dinner costs~$2.60), but ....

... one has to eat by hand.

Next, off to Lau Pa Sat for dessert.

Of course we had to try a Singapore Sling on top of Marina Bay Sands. They cost ~$32 each, but they are large and yummy and come with a fabulous view!

View of the city and the harbour from the cable car to Sentosa.

There is such a contrast between old and new.

And here some more fascinating architecture! 

And finally, the National Orchid Garden is not to be missed. This must be one of the most groomed gardens in the world! With over 1,000 species and an amazing diversity of colours and shapes, I could not stop taking photographs.

A familiar-looking creature in the Botanic Gardens: a Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator)