Few hours in Singapore
Travel Month – August, 2024
Hello fellow travelers!!
This August, on our return to Seattle from our vacation, our flight was delayed, giving us an unexpected overnight layover in Singapore. Singapore is one of only three city-states in the world, along with Monaco and Vatican City. It is both a city and a country. Also known as a “City in a Garden,” Singapore is famous for its green spaces and urban nature integration.
With night time layover and no plans in place, we grabbed a quick dinner, booked a taxi from the hotel, and headed out for a night drive to explore the city. Sometimes the best adventures aren’t the ones you plan — they’re the ones that find you.
Garden by the Bay
Our driver, who was also our tour guide, took us first to Garden by the Bay, an iconic nature park in the heart of Singapore. Spanning over 101 hectares, the park is celebrated for its unique fusion of nature, technology, and art. Located near Marina Bay, it comprises three main waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden, and Bay Central Garden. The park is especially famous for its futuristic architecture, particularly the Supertree Grove—towering vertical gardens that stand between 25 and 50 meters tall. These Supertrees are covered in ferns, vines, and tropical flowers, connected by a skywalk that offers stunning views of both the gardens and the Marina Bay skyline.
Marina Bay Sands
Our next stop was the Marina Bay Sands, a must-visit destination in Singapore that’s much more than a resort—it’s a full-scale entertainment and leisure complex. One of its most iconic features is the SkyPark, home to the world’s longest elevated infinity pool. This incredible spot offers panoramic views of Singapore’s skyline, Gardens by the Bay, and the Singapore Strait. We enjoyed the outdoor area overlooking the skyline. The cool breeze from the water made the night feel pleasant and refreshing. Even at 11:00 pm, the area felt safe and lively, with lot of people around.
Merlion Park
Our next stop was Merlion Park. The park is a popular waterfront destination in Singapore, known for its iconic Merlion statue—a half-lion, half-fish creature that has become a symbol of Singapore. Situated near Marina Bay, this 8.6-meter-tall statue spouts water from its mouth and is a must-visit for tourists and locals alike. The statue, with the body of a fish and the head of a lion, represents Singapore’s history as a fishing village (the fish) and its original name, Singapura, meaning “Lion City” (the lion).
With jetlag setting in and an early morning flight ahead, we decided to head back to our hotel. On the way, our driver gave us a quick orientation of the city’s diversity. He pointed out the sleek, modern skyline of the financial hub, its towers glowing against the night sky, then steered us past the traditional streets of Chinatown, where quiet temples and hanging lanterns cast a gentle light over shuttered stalls. A short drive further brought us to Little India, still radiant with color from its shopfronts and murals, even though the markets had long closed — a quiet reminder of the many cultures that give Singapore its character.
We got a glimpse of the city in the few hours that we had but will have to come back again to enjoy all the experiences that it offers.
Practical Travel Tips:
- Travel doc: Check if you need a visa to enter the country.
- Getting Around: Taxis and rideshares are the easiest late at night. The MRT closes around midnight, so plan accordingly.
- Currency used – Singapore Dollar but cards are widely used too.
- Best time to travel: February to April
- A couple of days is best to see the country and city- state, enjoy the food and do some shopping.
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