Singapore is one metropolis I really feel fortunate to have referred to as residence! A giant purpose why is, in fact, all of the enjoyable issues to do in Singapore however the sudden nature of a few of them is probably what actually made it so particular to name the town ‘residence’ for some time…
My transfer to Singapore occurred proper intertwined with my time learning at Cambridge College and I’ve gotta admit, I moved over armed with not a lot else than a stereotypical expectation of what Singapore, being the worldwide metropolis that it’s, could be like.
Shiny, sparkly and chock-filled with glass and metal towers, was just about so far as my expectations would stretch on the time.
And don’t get me incorrect, Singapore is shiny, sparkly and all of the stuff you’d count on from a world metropolis (effectively, aside from the truth that the crime fee right here is admittedly low!
You’d really feel as secure wandering across the streets at 4am as you’ll at 4pm) however right here’s the factor – Singapore is about a lot extra than simply these shiny lights.
It’s additionally chock stuffed with some sudden surprises (that’s a little bit of a tautology – like “moist water” however you already know what I imply 🤪😄).
And they’re nice surprises too!
The sort of shock that makes you realise why the town isn’t just an awesome place to go to but in addition a tremendous place to name residence. The sort that made me actually wish to keep on in Singapore lengthy after my preliminary plans right here.
However sufficient about that, let’s bounce proper in, lets? 😁😁
1.) Ubin Island
So like I mentioned earlier than, Singapore is a shiny metropolis! It’s residence to many single multi-billion greenback firms obtainable and has the best focus of millionaires on this planet.
Every thing about Singapore appears to shout shiny metropolis so that you’d be so simply forgiven for not realising there’s a extra pure and rustic aspect to the town! Stated place is Pulau Ubin, in any other case simply often called Ubin or Ubin Island. (“Pulau” in English interprets to “Island”).
I didn’t truly discover out about Ubin island myself. I truly acquired an invitation to a piece crew day factor on the island (a country retreat in Singapore!) triggered my curiosity so I signed up.
Arriving on the island (it’s a brief boat journey from the mainland), I realised this was part of Singapore that’s nothing like the remainder of it.
On Ubin island, you’ll discover cobblestoned footpaths, deserted granite quarries and conventional kampongs (villages) – conventional Malay attap homes – and are available throughout kingfishers and Southeast Asian birds within the wetlands. It’s like taking a step again to the previous in Singapore and is chock full of fantastic wildlife.
It’s the sort of island the place you would possibly end up at a roadblock as you’re biking by as a result of the monkeys have determined to have a fruit break on the roads, or discover a wild pig rummaging by your bag in quest of snacks, or the place seeing a hornbill or big monitor lizard is simply commonplace – undoubtedly very completely different from the Singapore you would possibly count on in the event you solely spend time within the metropolis centre.
Ubin Island is wonderful and part of Singapore most travellers by no means actually assume to go to. It’s such a unbelievable approach to “get misplaced” in nature and is so spectacular to discover. As briefly talked about earlier, attending to Ubin Island is fairly simple – it’s only a brief 10-minute boat journey!
To get round if you’re on the island, you’ll be able to hire a bicycle, which makes essentially the most sense because it you cowl extra of the island, although exploring on foot can be one other nice choice right here.
Suffice to say, that is simply one of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Singapore in the event you’re actually seeking to get a extra balanced view of what Singapore has to supply, past bustling metropolis life.
2.) Lazarus Island
Singapore is just not a kind of cities you’d look forward to finding a seashore in, and it’s not with out causes both. It’s by no means actually been a ‘seashore vacation’ vacation spot however that’s to not say you’ll be able to’t even have a very pretty day on the seashore right here.
Lazarus Island is one other a kind of underrated locations in Singapore that almost all travellers visiting the town by no means actually assume to discover.
Most individuals would possibly assume as a substitute to go to Sentosa (there are stretches of synthetic seashore right here) however Lazarus Island is definitely top-of-the-line locations in Singapore to go to if you need a day trip on the seashore.
Lazarus Island is rarely actually crowded (it’s usually locals you discover right here) and it feels such as you’ve stepped so far-off from the town (you’ll be able to’t even see the skyline if you’re right here as a result of it’s wanting away from the town). A visit right here is well one of the vital relaxed and most enjoyable issues to do in Singapore.
To get right here, you catch a ship from Singapore’s Marina South Pier to St John’s Island and simply stroll over to Lazarus island.
Additionally it is value trying out St John’s Island for somewhat bit right here and in the event you get the possibility to, after you’re accomplished with Lazarus island, the ticket you get can take you over to Kusu Island -pop in there too for somewhat bit.
Oh, by the best way, you received’t discover locations you should purchase issues right here and there isn’t actually shade on the island except you step away from the seashore and head over to the coconut bushes so remember to deliver all the things you want with you (sunscreen, meals, drinks…and many others).
3.) MacRitchie Nature Path
Carrying on within the nature-based theme, one other sudden factor to do in Singapore was exploring the Macritchie Nature Path. The Macritchie Nature Path is a kind of spots proper within the metropolis that feels such as you’re miles away from the town. This 12-hectare nature reserve has climbing trails, kayaks and canoes for hire.
You possibly can catch a taxi (or drive, you probably have a automotive) right here, park up and inside minutes really feel such as you’re some other place completely.
We confirmed up anticipating a fast stroll round however at 11 kilometres of strolling trails (and with a number of choices as to how to do that), you possibly can very simply spend an nearly a full day simply wandering across the trails right here (in fact, you’ll be able to select to be right here for as lengthy or as brief as you’d need). In the event you’re up for out of doors adventures, that is simply one of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Singapore for that!
I feel it was whereas we had been right here that I realised how lively Singaporeans actually are. They profit from the character round them and it wasn’t unusual seeing folks simply twice our age (greater than generally) energy strolling previous you at a tempo we couldn’t even sustain with (belief me, we tried… many occasions!!! 😄😄).
There are such a lot of alternatives to identify wildlife right here too – particularly these cheeky macaque monkeys and you possibly can even discover flying lemurs right here. The Macritchie Nature Path has such lush tropical vegetation that it feels nothing like something you’ll be able to even hope to seek out in another international metropolis and is simply such a superb place to go to in Singapore.
4.) Little India
Whenever you consider Singapore, it’s maybe its Chinese language heritage that involves thoughts for most individuals however Singapore is such a melting pot of various cultures and that is maybe most evident that on the subject of the scrumptious meals on provide right here.
In the event you’re searching for among the greatest Indian curries outdoors of India, Little India in Singapore is likely one of the greatest locations to go to within the metropolis.
Because of Singapore’s comparatively big Indian inhabitants, you get to dine on among the most wonderful meals if you’re in Little India and at such wonderful costs. It’s simply one of the vital scrumptious locations and one of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Singapore.
Whenever you’re accomplished consuming to your coronary heart’s content material, somewhat jaunt across the space is so value it as there are such a lot of alternatives to snap up a discount or two on stuff you maybe don’t really want however actually need. 😄😄
5.) Marina Bay Sands
This one’s a straightforward one. It’s truly not sudden in the best way you would possibly assume – in that everybody is aware of about Marina Bay Sands and would in all probability look to spend a while round right here.
Folks even find out about that tremendous swimming pool proper on high of the lodge right here. What would possibly shock folks is that that is each the most important and the best infinity pool on this planet!
Regardless that we had been dwelling in Singapore then (fairly actually down the street from right here), I simply knew I needed to keep right here even when for only a night time in order that I might go to the pool (the pool is just for lodge visitors).
Spoiler alert – it’s so value it! It felt like one thing of an pointless indulgence on the time however arriving there, I knew I’d made the correct name to not miss out on attending to benefit from the world’s largest and highest infinity pool! (Suffice to say, the view up there’s additionally fairly wonderful!). It’s a kind of enjoyable issues to do in Singapore that I simply can’t suggest sufficient! 😁😁
I stayed up right here until lengthy after my fingers had gone as wrinkly as prunes! We had been the primary up there the subsequent morning too! In the event you ever get an opportunity to, even in the event you’re not a visitor on the lodge for the whole time, remember to guide in an evening right here and arrive as early as attainable to profit from that tremendous pool!
6.) Gardens by the bay
This one is probably not a lot so ‘stunning’ or ‘sudden’ anymore however is barely included on right here as on the time, discovering such a tremendous place within the metropolis centre was a tad sudden – particularly so, the supertrees round right here that are as tall as a 16 story constructing!
As of late, it’s simply one of the vital standard and most enjoyable issues to do in Singapore and with excellent purpose too.
It’s one other sensible instance of how Singapore does such an awesome job at balancing nature with metropolis life and is likely one of the the explanation why Singapore is lauded as one of the vital pure (or, I assume inexperienced) cities to go to.
7.) Hawker Centre
Singapore being one thing of an costly metropolis is one thing most guests have come to count on of the town.
Like I discussed earlier, the town is residence to the most important focus of millionaires on this planet and is continually ranked as one of the vital costly cities to purchase a property in and even to stay in.
As such, it’s comprehensible that most individuals count on to should spend some huge cash once they go to however this couldn’t be farther from the reality on the subject of meals.
A number of the greatest meals in Singapore might be present in its hawker centres, the place you’ll discover a plethora of scrumptious native meals obtainable at fairly unimaginable costs (generally as a lot a 1/10th of the costs you’ll discover in additional formal eating places).
In order for you the perfect meals in your travels, consuming the place the locals eat is one thing of a no brainer and in Singapore, that place is the hawker centres.
Living proof – do you know that Singapore’s Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Hen & Rice at present holds the honours because the world’s most cost-effective Michelin-star meal at below S$3 (roughly round £1.70 ) – how wonderful is that?
Why was this sudden? Properly, I assume if you arrive in a metropolis that’s well-known for being fairly fancy, discovering out that that is so not the case on the subject of one thing as important as meals is unquestionably one nice shock to seek out within the metropolis (particularly so when the meals is so good).
8.) Tasting Durian Fruit
For the uninitiated, durian is that pungent fruit that for lack of a greater approach to describe it, smells like sun-ripened rubbish. For some purpose although, it’s so standard right here in Singapore and is one factor it’s a must to do if you’re right here.
Everyone seems to be so fascinated with it and it’s nearly marmite-like in that folks both actually find it irresistible or actually hate it – no in-between! Nobody is ever ambivalent about it.
It took me a number of months to lastly work up the braveness to do that and spoiler alert – it’s tastes fairly just like the way it smells.
If for nothing else, that you must attempt durian right here to see in the event you’re gonna be a kind of who thinks it’s a lush, creamy fruit or certainly, one thing you by no means wish to odor once more! 😆😆 It’s undoubtedly of essentially the most enjoyable issues to do in Singapore for foodies and the culinary-adventurous!
9.) The World’s Tallest Waterfall
Singapore’s Changi Airport has for some time now been extensively thought to be top-of-the-line airports on this planet. There’s simply a lot to see and do if you’re right here that’s it’s develop into greater than only a place to catch a flight from!
As an alternative, it’s extra of a enjoyable hub for travellers and locals alike. It’s a spot that you just would possibly wish to arrive early simply so you’ll be able to spend time in and is really one of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Singapore.
Essentially the most thrilling addition to the airport now could be the spectacular round waterfall which is well one of the vital spectacular installations in any airport – it’s additionally the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. When you’re accomplished right here, there’s truly much more stuff to rise up to on the airport however I’ll depart you to seek out these out if you do go to.
10.) Common Studios
It’s not fairly often that you just discover a full-on theme park smack inside a metropolis.
They’re normally so much additional out of the town and are locations you don’t actually consider simply “popping in” for just a few hours so this one completely took me without warning once we had been in Singapore, as we had been making our approach to a completely completely different spot within the metropolis. After we noticed the signal for it although, we determined we needed to test it out.
It was such a sizzling day that we simply selected a whim to pop in simply to get soaked on the Jurassic Park journey. One journey later and we promptly upgraded to a season ticket and even threw in a queue bounce to the combination. Finest impromptu resolution we made in Singapore indubitably! 😄 😄
In London, we now have to traipse out of the town to seek out something like this so whereas we lived in Singapore, I made it a mission to go to as a lot as attainable, particularly contemplating how simple it’s to get to.
In the event you’re right here with pals, household and even children (‘huge children’ 😉😄 and little ones, in fact), it’s completely value popping in for a fun-filled day! (Take into consideration how a lot money and time folks spend to go to locations like Orlando for a full-on vacation and right here you’ve got the choice to take action proper in your doorstep).
And there you’ve got it! A number of the components of Singapore essentially the most enjoyable issues to do in Singapore that completely stunned however completely thrilled me after I lived on this wonderful metropolis!
When you end up in Singapore, remember to examine a minimum of one of many above out (if not all of them!).
Have a tremendous journey!
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