Once we landed we checked into our hotel and went exploring in the local area. We stayed in, pretty much, the middle of everywhere! A 5 minute walk and we were at the bay/beach area, 10 minute walk and we were in China Town and Little India and at the base of our hotel was quite a large shopping mall; so for the next week I was set with plenty of things to see and do.
I am a travel journal fanatic so I thought instead of recounting what we did each day I would instead take excerpts from it and insert them below, along with photos from each day.
Day One
Shit! I'm finally here! The trip I've been counting down to for almost a year. The trip that symbolises the end of high school education, growing up and becoming a grown up (all of those thoughts both excite, yet terrify me). Today was a day of travel, so not much to report on yet apart from the incredible view from our 65th floor hotel room and the ease of getting around the city; everything is in such close proximity and it's not hard to find your way around (even for someone like me with a horrible sense of direction) and if something isn't within walking distance taxi's are so cheap!!! I'm ready for the action-packed, exciting and adventurous week ahead.
Day Two
Firstly, wow! This city is incredible and I've hardly explored any of it. Today was, like I expect most days this week to be, very "touristy". A walk from our hotel to Orchard Road was first on the agenda and my first taste at Singapore's excitement for Christmas. Seriously, I've never been to a country more excited for Christmas, it's November and there are most Christmas decorations up around the city than I have ever seen in my life and there is more going up every hour! We visited the Singapore Flyer which is, excluding the United States, the biggest observation/ferris wheel in the world standing at 165m tall. My plans are to visit as many observation wheel's in the world that I can; I've already been to a few in Australia, Europe and now Asia. Following this we took a trip to a Fish Spa which has always been on my bucket list. Basically, a bunch of little tiny fish attach themselves to your feet - it sounds (and feels) disgusting but it was really awesome. Once night fell we made our way to Gardens by the Bay a tree/flower/light display highlighting the wonders of Singapore. There are two indoor attractions, the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest along with the general area.
Day Three
Universal Studios, Merlion
I experienced my second Universal Studios today; not only have I now been to Universal Studios Los Angeles but now Universal Studios Singapore!! Comparatively, Singapore's park is a lot smaller, which is totally expected considering Singapore is a tiny island, and caters a lot more for younger children, this I actually prefer because I'm not a huge fan of roller coasters. I enjoyed sightseeing around Madagascar Island, Egyptian World (The Mummy Returns), Far Far Away (Shrek) and Transformers Park and taking photos of all of the amazing and outstanding effort put into each section. We spent a few hours at Universal and then it was off to Merlion Park. Merlion is a lion statue located at the Marina and is an iconic symbol of Singapore.
Day Four
Today was a very calm and relaxing day. A sleep in was in desperate need so we started the day around 11am and walked to China Town where we visited the local stalls and tried beautiful food. That's something I haven't really mentioned, the food in Singapore is so rich and wonderful; beautiful fruit juices and sensational rice and noodle dishes are what make me so inclined to return to Singapore. After the stroll around China Town it was back to the hotel for a well needed early night.
Day Five
National Museum of Singapore, Little India, Night Zoo
A packed day today. On the way from our hotel to Little India is the National Museum of Singapore, so we stopped for a walk around to gain a further knowledge into the fascinating history of Singapore. It was then off to Little India where, like China Town, we shopped around the stalls, ate local cuisine and enjoyed the incredible views Singapore has to offer. By dusk we were in a taxi to the Night Zoo which includes a fire show, tram ride around the zoo and a creatures of the night show. I had never seen animals such as lions, hippos and hyenas so close before and it was truly incredible.
A packed day today. On the way from our hotel to Little India is the National Museum of Singapore, so we stopped for a walk around to gain a further knowledge into the fascinating history of Singapore. It was then off to Little India where, like China Town, we shopped around the stalls, ate local cuisine and enjoyed the incredible views Singapore has to offer. By dusk we were in a taxi to the Night Zoo which includes a fire show, tram ride around the zoo and a creatures of the night show. I had never seen animals such as lions, hippos and hyenas so close before and it was truly incredible.
Day Six
Getting ready for the 8 hour flight home is the only downfall to this trip. I always have to mentally prepare myself for a long flight and I don't enjoy flying at all (except for the occasionally duty free bargain at the airports). This morning saw us walk from our hotel down to Marina Bay Shoppes and have a final look at the city before flying home in the late evening. The Marina Bay area is so beautiful and I would love to one day own an apartment overlooking the water. We headed to Raffles Hotel for afternoon tea. The hotel is absolutely stunning equipped with furniture and decor from the late 1800s; the hotel even has a writer's bar filled with shelves upon shelves of books, a grand piano, 2 baby pianos, stunning leather lounges and a bar area with information around the room of past writer's who have visited the hotel.
It was such an incredible, eye-opening and fantastic trip. I would recommend to anyone to go to Singapore it is so picturesque.
Also, I just want to say the biggest thank you to my parents who not only took me on this trip but without fail or hesitation made sure I had the best they could offer, whether it be with ensuring I went to a good school or being able to open my eyes to how lucky I am living in Australia by travelling overseas. Thanks parentals!
- Emma xo
