Singapore
Blog post by Nikolina
Last call for Athens…’ is heard over the loudspeakers. We have just shown our passports and boarding passes and are now queuing to get to our seats. The excitement is building up. After 1.5 months in Croatia, we are finally starting our trip around the world – our honeymoon year. It still feels surreal, almost as if we are only going on holiday for a few weeks to explore Asia and not for the next few months.
As we reach our seats, we can’t help but smile – we’re going to be travelling the world for a whole year. The thought of coming back with so many unforgettable experiences and precious memories makes us beam with excitement. A dream that we have long hoped for is now becoming a reality.
The plane takes off and we let our eyes wander over the landscape. The houses of Split become smaller and smaller, while the vast blue sea with its scattered islands appears below us before we plunge into the soft white clouds. After just under two hours, we land in Athens. Now we have to wait – our overnight flight to Singapore begins in a few hours, the first step in an adventure that we can hardly wait for.
It is 8 o’clock in the morning, we have just landed in Singapore and the night on the plane was not as restful as we had hoped. So the first thing we need is a coffee before heading to the hotel. The airport in Singapore is huge and probably one of the most beautiful we have ever seen. We are excited and more than ready to explore the city we have heard so much about.
Our first snapshot marking the beginning of our adventure
Finding your way around Singapore is surprisingly easy. What we particularly love: When boarding public transport, we simply hold our credit card from the Apple Wallet up to the scanner and then again when we get off – the ticket price is automatically calculated and debited directly from the card. So simple and practical!
However, our favourite way to explore the city is on foot. Not only does this allow us to take in the surroundings more intensively, but we can also spontaneously take more time where we like. Singapore has so much to offer, and every neighbourhood surprises us with new impressions. In addition to the impressive skyscrapers, what particularly fascinates us is how green the city is. There are trees everywhere, beautifully integrated in the buildings architecture and even on the smallest balconies, the residents cultivate their own piece of nature. This well thought-out greenery gives the modern metropolis a unique charm that immediately captivated us.
In our opinion, you should plan at least three days to really explore Singapore. But, as always, the longer you stay, the more you discover and experience. We have selected our top three recommendations that you should definitely not miss out on in Singapore:
Josip‘s three must-do‘s in Singapore:
Trying durian*:
After all the prohibition signs pointing to durian, our curiosity was piqued so we just had to try this infamous fruit classic.
Tasting street food in Lau Pa Sat:
Feasting your way through the many delicious street food stalls – it’s an experience in itself.
Marina Bay and the Supertree Grove:
Especially in the evening, when the lights come on, the view is simply magical.
Nikolina‘s three must-do‘s in Singapore:
Let’s start with Josip’s first ‘must-do’: Try durian. Never heard of it? Neither had we before our trip to Singapore. Our first encounter with this exotic fruit was through prohibition signs. When we arrived in Singapore and got on the train, we noticed signs that explicitly forbade durian in addition to the usual prohibitions such as ‘No smoking’ and ‘No loud music’. Then the same thing at the hotel: ‘No durian allowed, fine 1000 Singapore dollars.’ Almost every building had a sign like this – our curiosity was piqued.
A quick look at Google Maps showed us a place with excellent reviews where you can try durian. So we set off on our way. The closer we got, the more I toyed with the idea of turning back. But Josip was determined to try the famous fruit. The smell that met us from afar was rather unpleasant for me, but Josip didn’t find it so bad.
On site, we saw durian in all possible forms – the large, spiky fruits were on display for sale, and at the counter you could try everything from pure pulp to biscuits, smoothies and durian ice cream. Josip was convinced that the ice cream would be the mildest flavour, so we ordered a small portion.
We sat down outside, ready for our adventure. Josip’s reaction? Very relaxed – he thought it was ‘okay’. Mine? Well, let’s put it this way: it was probably the most disgusting thing I’ve ever tasted. The smell is hard to describe, but for me it was overwhelming. You really need to search YouTube for ‘durian ice cream reaction’ to understand how polarising the fruit is!
Durian is known as the ‘king of fruits’ and is revered as a true delicacy in Southeast Asia. Like most things in life, I guess it all comes down to your own sense of taste. If you’re ever in Singapore, try it for yourself and tell us if you’re team ‘durian fan’ or team ‘never again’! 🙂
Let’s get to my first ‘must-do’ – of course we start with a drink! Singapore Sling! Which one else 🙂 Surprise, surprise: the famous Singapore Sling was actually invented in Singapore. More precisely, in the iconic Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel, a place you simply shouldn’t miss – even if the price of the cocktail is quite hefty. Perhaps less shocking for the Swiss among us, as we are used to such prices.
We had saved this special visit for our last evening in Singapore. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted, as expected, by a queue. But after a few days in Singapore, you learn that waiting is part of the experience – be it for a coffee, a slice of cake, a Michelin-starred restaurant or the legendary Singapore Sling.
The advantage of this queue: you didn’t have to stand. A friendly waiter even brought us a small cup of tea that tasted like the famous cocktail – but non-alcoholic. A clever tactic by the bar: if the real drink was served in the queue, many people would simply leave afterwards. However, by only offering the non-alcoholic version as a tea, curiosity remains and guests wait patiently for the full experience. When it was finally our turn, it wasn’t the drinks on the tables that caught our attention, but the quiet crackling under our feet. There were peanut shells everywhere! The Raffles Bar is known for guests simply throwing the empty shells on the floor – it’s part of the charm of the place. There were jute bags full of peanuts on the tables, and the floor was littered with the shells. Eventually, our Singapore Sling arrived and we enjoyed it to the fullest – including the peanuts, which we could nibble on without worrying about the growing pile of shells.
As peanuts don’t satisfy a big appetite, we made a detour to the Lau Pa Sat market after the bar. And that brings us to Josip’s second ‘must-do’. As already mentioned, we are real ‘foodies’ – so a visit to a market in Singapore was an absolute must for us. We saw the twinkling lights on the way there and the irresistible aroma of countless delicacies immediately made our stomachs growl.
Firstly, we went for a walk to get an overview. Was that a good idea? Not really, because the more stalls we saw, the more we wanted to try. In the end, it was a colourful mix: various dumplings, crispy spring rolls, satay skewers (of course!) and something we still don’t know what it was – but it tasted delicious. You have to order the satay skewers at Satay Street No. 7 & 8 at Lau Pa Sat Market, definitely the best we’ve had.
Apart from the food, we were particularly impressed by the atmosphere. The market was lively, welcoming and a perfect mix of locals and tourists. The energy of this place just pulls you in. Our tip: order a beer, let yourself go and you’re sure to have a great evening!
If you prefer to eat in a restaurant, you won’t miss out in Singapore either. There is an incredible selection of fantastic restaurants that promise true culinary delights. Before our trip to Singapore, we thought Michelin-starred restaurants were always associated with high prices and fancy menus that quickly cost a small fortune. But in Singapore it’s a completely different story and this is my second must-do. One of the restaurants I can highly recommend is Song Fa, where you should definitely try the Bak Kut Teh**, a dish with which they have been defending their Michelin star for eight years – absolutely delicious!
On to Josip’s third to-do: see Marina Bay and Super Tree Grove. A visit to Singapore wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the impressive Marina Bay. This neighbourhood combines modern architecture, breathtaking views and a variety of activities. Obviously, the Marina Bay Sands is not to be missed (three skyscrapers with a reef on top, surely you’ve seen it 🙂 ) If you like raspberry tarts, you have to try them in CÉ LA VI, a real treat.
We recommend the Supertree Grove even more. You’ve probably already seen the striking trees on Instagram, but they’re even more impressive in real life. Entry to this part of the park is free, but some other areas, such as the Flower Dome or the Cloud Forest, require payment. If you want to explore the Cloud Forest I recommend you to book a combination ticket here, which also includes access to the OCBC Skyway – an elevated walkway through the Supertrees. If you only want to explore the free area, we recommend arriving at the park around 5 pm. That way you can enjoy the trees and the atmosphere in daylight and experience the sunset before the lights come on. If you ignore the crowds, it gets pretty romantic 🙂 A special highlight is the Garden Rhapsody, a light and music show that takes place daily at 19:00 and 20:00. About 10 minutes beforehand, people secure their seats to watch the spectacle. We simply lay down on the warm concrete floor – the best decision. That way we could relax and enjoy the show and forget the rest of the world for a moment.
And finally, my third recommendation: Clarke Quay – the name alone conjures up images of lights, music and vibrant life. This historic neighbourhood on the Singapore River has developed from an old trading port into one of the hippest nightlife districts in the city. When the sun goes down, Clarke Quay really comes to life. The colourful facades, already charming in daylight, glow in all colours in the evening and create a lively backdrop. There are a multitude of bars, restaurants and clubs here and it is really difficult to choose. However, alcohol is relatively expensive in Singapore, as an additional alcohol tax is levied. During the day, you can take a relaxing stroll along the waterfront and soak up the atmosphere. The historic warehouses, which have been converted into restaurants and boutiques, still tell the story of old Singapore. A fascinating mix of past and modernity that is not to be missed. For a very special perspective of the neighbourhood, you can take one of the regular boat trips on the Singapore River.
*Durian is a tropical fruit that is particularly popular in South East Asia, but also notorious. It has a thick, spiky skin and is known for its intense, distinctive odour – the smell is so strong that it is banned from many public transport and hotels. Some describe the odour as a mixture of rotten onions, turpentine and cheese, while others quite like it.
The flesh is creamy and soft, with an almost buttery consistency. The taste polarises strongly: for some, durian tastes sweet, nutty and a bit like vanilla pudding, for others the taste is more sulphurous or cheesy. Despite the controversial odour, durian is considered the ‘king of fruits’ in many Asian countries and is a real delicacy.
The fruit is rich in nutrients, contains many vitamins and minerals, but is also quite high in calories.
**Bak Kut Teh is a traditional Chinese dish that is particularly popular in Singapore and Malaysia. The name literally means ‘meat and bone tea’, whereby the ‘tea’ in this case is a flavoured broth consisting of various herbs and spices. The dish consists mainly of pork ribs, which are cooked in this broth for a long time until they are tender and almost fall off the bone.
The broth itself varies depending on the region: in Singapore it is typically peppery and clear, with an intense garlic flavour, while in Malaysia a darker, more herbal version is served. Bak Kut Teh is often served with side dishes such as rice, fried pastries (youtiao), pickled vegetables and sometimes even tofu or mushrooms. It is a hearty, warming dish that is traditionally eaten as a fortifying meal.
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