Things to do in Singapore.

Singapore Flyer

The year 2017 ended on quite an amazing note. The people who know me will tell you that I prefer traveling solo and exploring the places and that's what I did somewhere in the middle of 2017, booked myself a ticket to Spain to explore the country. But the year ended with another trip that I made and it was not a solo trip but with family. I am glad it was a family trip, it was more fun, and I got to eat my mothers made Dal Kichdi (trust me, it's amazing and it's my favorite dish).

I was there for only 5 days and tried to cover as much as I could but whatever I saw, I enjoyed it and personally, I would love to visit the place again in order to try more stuff. But I have a list of 10 things one should do in Singapore. This includes food, shopping, nightlight, and adventure as well. Also a bit of sightseeing.

Lets being with the food part first because I love food and I travel for that mainly.

Flat Noodles with Chili and Green. 

1. China Town
China Town is one amazing place for people who enjoy the food. The place is not only about food, there are places where one can go and shop for things as well. One great thing I had there was the candided bbq pork and chicken floss. I know it sounds weird but tasted really good. If you are a Tintin fan, please note that it is the only Tintin store in Asia.

There are innumerous restaurants as you walk along the streets in the area that will serve some amazing food and I can tell this because of the aromas that you get to smell by just walking around.

Thai Style Basil Chicken with Jasmine Rice

2. Bugis Street and Albert Center.
Bugis Street is known for cheap shopping, a place where you can bargain (I tried that but didn't get much success). This is a 3-floor mall kind of area where you will find things from clothes to electronics to souvenirs to food items. It also has a small food-court and there are a few things that I tried there and it was pretty good. At one of the food spaces there, I ordered the som tam salad and a portion or Thai style basil chicken and jasmine rice, trust me when I say that the basil chicken was just amazing and flavourful. I liked the area soo much, I went there almost 3 times during my 7-day stay. Also, before you enter, there is a fruit market and the fruits looked lovely and fresh. I just picked up some mangoes and persimmons and while eating them back at the hotel, they did taste good.
Albert Center, this is just opposite Bugis street and is filled with hawkers who serve food of the locals, from the neighboring countries and regions. This place is I guess a 6 level building, can't remember clearly, but I can say it has quite a lot of food for sure.
P.S. there is also a 1$ shop next to the street, you should check it out.

View from the top of Singapore Flyer

3. Gardens By The Bay and Singapore Flyer.
Want to do all the touristy stuff then these two places are for sure to be on your list. They do not need much introduction but will give a basic idea to all those who aren't aware.
Singapore Flyer is like a giant Ferris wheel which moves very slowly, there are pods in which people go and it takes you all the way up and you can get an amazing view of the city from there. One of the images I clicked from the top it on the cover image at the start of the blog so you can check that out. From there one can see the Gardens by the Bay which consists of the Cloud Forest, Super Tree Grove, Flower Done which is the home to a hell lots of different flowers so if you love it, then it has to be on your list. There are a couple of more things around the Gardens By The Bay like the OCBC Skywalk which is walking over the bridge between two Super Tree Grovers, also the World Of Plants and more, you can check the details on the official website. But Super Tree Grove and the Cloud Dome was just amazing

SuperTree Grove and OCBC Sky Walk. 

4. Shopping 

I do not remember what this was called, so if you know, let me
know in the comments below. I forgot the name. 

For all those who love shopping, this point is for them. Personally, I am not one who loves shopping and roaming around the mall. As mentioned, I was traveling with family and some of them love to shop and shop and shop. There are a lot of options spread across Singapore for shopping, some of them that I visited was Vivo City Malls, Raffles Center, did take a round of the Orchard Street which is known for its shopping and has great brands and pretty good looking shopping centers. Also, there is one place that most Indians love visiting and i.e. Mustafa Center.

Mustafa Center is spread across like 3 buildings which are interconnected. The place is open 24x7 and one can find anything and everything here, right from clothes to electronics to grocery, you name it and it might be there. I have seen people come with empty luggage bags and have filled them and left. I did spend here a couple of hours but could just see only 1/3rd of the center. So it is on my list to check out the rest of the center when I visit next.


5. Clarke Quay
Singapore has something for everyone, some love eating, some love shopping and some love partying and exploring the nightlife as well. If you are one of those who enjoys partying, Clarke Quay is the area to be in. The area is filled with restaurants, bars, and pubs and they are damn crowded on weekends. As I was traveling with family, didn't get much chance to explore the nightlife but I did take a walk around this area one late evening and even tried the food a couple of places and it did not disappoint me. I have this on my list again for the next time I am in Singapore, in fact, the list keeps increasing as I keep writing the article because a lot of things come to the mind that needs to be covered.

6. Merlion & Marina Bay Sands

Merlion

Two more attractions that one can add on to their itinerary if they want to do tourist stuff. Believe it or not, going and checking the Merlion out was on my list ever since the discussion of visiting Singapore started on our family whatsapp group. I even took a picture where the water is coming directly into my mouth as if I am drinking it, I know it sounds so not like me but had to do something crazy (I am not sharing that image anywhere, not even on my instagram handle).

Marina Bay Sands was something I wanted to visit from a long time, have a look at the view from the top, visit the casino and maybe play a few hands as well and also just to tick it off my list (touristy stuff), but due to some family issues, couldn't make it and had to cancel the plan at the last minute. This gives me another reason to visit Singapore soon and explore all those things I have missed or couldn't see due to various reasons.



7. Universal Studios
Another great attraction for all the tourists is the Universal Studios. This is a fun place to spend the day and for people who like adventure in terms of rides and roller coasters, then this is the place to visit.
Make sure you take the express pass if you want to try and cover up the whole of the Universal Studios because the queues can be a pain at times. You can purchase the tickets online, this will save you time at the entrance.
This might take up your entire day if you plan to visit all the rides.



Apart from all the above-mentioned places, there are some more that I have in mind and I had visited which you might want to try and see. All though there is another list I have in some word document in my emails which I am unable to locate, that contains a few more places that I will most probably visit on my next trip. So here are the things -

Banh Mi at Banh Mi Brothers

• If you are a foodie like me, then you must visit the cheapest Michelin Star place in the world. It is a hawker who serves amazing chicken and rice. Be careful, you might have to wait in the queue for some time but it was worth it because I was hungry as well. 
• Night Safari & Singapore Zoo - animal lover?, then you have to visit the place. The night safari also has long queues but if you run towards the bus, you might get a seat on the bus soon. They also have a trekking path for people who want to explore the wildlife on the foot. You can stop various animals and for them, the park is made in such a way that it looks like a jungle. 
• Singapore Sling - the National Drink of Singapore. It is said that the drink was created on the occasion when the treaty was signed. Raffles Hotel is the place where it was invented. I quite liked the drink that I had a couple of them on my way back on the flight. 
• Just like how Vada Pao is to Mumbai, Kaya Toast and Milo is to Singapore. One can find Kaya Toast with Soft Boiled Runny Eggs and Milo at many places across the town. I quite liked it, I, in fact, made some Kaya Jam at home and had it spread over bread and had it. 



Kaya Toast and Milo

• Banh Mi - This is one of my favorite sandwiches and I have had it in Hongkong, Bangkok and then in Singapore. Crusty bread with meat, pickle and fresh cilantro, just perfect. I tried the same at two places in Singapore but the one at Banh Mi Brother was quite good. They are located at Income By Raffles.

So that's all FOLKS, I have tried to list down as must as I could remember but in case I visit again and explore new places, I will surely share it with you all on the blog. But you can follow me on my social media handles for regular updates on food and more.
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