Even though James Bond travels to many amazing places around the globe, there are still a few left untouched. During our travel through Southeast Asia we stopped for a long weekend in Singapore – the city of lions.
Singapore is a mad melting pot: Old Chinese, Hindu and Buddhist temples pop up between high-tech skyscrapers, from dizzingly high – and slightly snobbish – rooftop bars you can see Colonial Downtown, ramshackle hawkers and lush gardens. Here are our top three tips for a weekend in this tranquil yet lively oasis called Singapore.
1. Get your Singapore architectural fusion
Colonial District, the heart of Singapore, is packed with memories of the British rule that lasted until 1963. The Old Supreme Court and historic City Hall is nowadays the National Gallery Singapore – displaying mostly Southeast Asian art with a focus on Singaporean artists. Other relics are the Victoria Concert Hall & Theatre, Old Parliament House and St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
To round up the architectural mix, take a look at the new Supreme Court. It was designed by Norman Foster and looks like an actual space ship from Star Trek. The Brit is, amongst others, responsible for the Millennium Bridge and new City Hall – as seen in Spectre – in London as well as the German Bundestag in Berlin with its famous walk-in glass cupola.
2. Treat the tip of your tongue
If you read our blog for a while you already know that we love to hunt down local restaurants for the “real” dining experience as well. Lucky us, because Singapore is a culinary melting pot. We loved to indulge at Komala Vilas in Little India, Singapores oldest vegetarian restaurant, for breakfast and headed down to Chinatown to enjoy coffee at a local brewery called Nanyang Old Coffee. On a hot day we recommend a Kopi Peng, an iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk. To kill time until dinner visit one of the close Chinese temples, then stop by Bao Ding BBQ to try real Chinese Barbeque. Don’t be afraid of the confusing menue – just wildly point at something. The staff does not speak English. At all. But the food will taste great, we promise. Even the chicken heads.
If you have eaten enough Asian cuisine for a while, take a tour through Arab Street and Haji Lane. Around Sultan Mosque you’ll find plenty little Arabic restaurants offering traditional Hummus, Halloumi and Baba Ganoush.
For a sundowner we recommend to go all in. Or rather up: Reserve a table at Cé La Vi, the rooftop bar, lounge and restaurant in the most exclusive hotel Marina Bay Sands. The hotel itself is an eye-catcher, but the view from the hotel is even more breathtaking. Skip the dinner, it’s good but not worth the dollar, and enjoy their outstanding bar while Singapore lights up at your feet.
3. Underneath the iron tree, me honey and me…
Even though they are a real tourist attraction, don’t miss the Gardens by the Bay which are known for the SuperTrees – 25 to 50 meters tall planted iron trees. During the day visitors can adore the huge variety of plants displayed in the area, but at night the real magic happens when the grove turns into an open air concert hall.
With musical accompaniment – imagine classic from Edvard Grieg and movie hits from Indiana Jones and Star Wars – and a light show the SuperTree Grove comes to live. Just lie down underneath and enjoy the show with your honey in your arms.
