Oh ! I can’t believe my eyes ! Gleefully whispered the tiny girl seated just in front as we touched down at Changi Airport in the wee hours . The contrast of shiny boats on the Singapore river, twinkling lights on fancy buildings in pitch darkness. I could feel her excitement !
Who would have thought that this spectacular city was once a backwater fishing village?
While immigration took some time, I was amazed to look at the small indoor gardens where orchids and other exotic flowers bloomed along small water bodies, living up to the image of ” The city of gardens” that Singapore has so proudly held on to.
‘We are a city in a garden’ read a huge banner that had tall ‘super trees’ painted on it.We took an MRT to Bencoolen street where our hotel was located.
After an early check in ( which was otherwise stipulated at 2 pm), we rested for a while and then walked and took a bus to the Botanical Gardens. Singapore’s pledge to integrate greens in the city is nothing but impressive. Glass buildings are often decked up with cheerful plants. The city government has created exotic gardens.
The Orchid garden was a real treat for the eyes – bright colors an overwhelming sight. The downpour proved to be an icing on the cake.
Needless to say, the immaculate streets with smart signage makes Singapore a walkable city. After spending our evening in Sentosa, which is the top destination for most tourists, we decided to visit Marina Sands by the bay The view from the 55th floor was certainly unbelievable – Singapore flyer, the Singapore museum, Garden by the bay, all brimming with pride on the river shore; almost like a trophy to the miraculous success of this city.
Celebration mode on !
Half lion , half fish. What does it mean ? I glanced at the iconic Merlion statue facing the Marina sands .Well ! the upper half (the lion) symbolizes courage and bravery, while the lower half (mermaid) symbolize the fishing roots of a backwater village.
Isn’t that the portrayal of every migrant from the hinterland in an urban setting?
The cool mist embraced us as the entrance to the Cloud Forest . The inviting and tall waterfall took us in, with all its magnificence . The path around the waterfall was adorned with lush ferns , moss, carnivorous pitcher plants and orchids. Delight for all the senses. The flower dome too with an enchanting collection of real pumpkins, in anticipation of Halloween.
“Only citizens can drive cabs” , said the friendly guy who took us to Mount Faber , the place my hubby was most interested in visiting in Singapore. How he loves getting into casual conversations with locals to feel the pulse of the culture. Our driver was warm, well traveled and keen for a conversation. Henderson Waves was a soothing sanctum in this otherwise busy city.
On the cable car ride from Mount Faber to Sentosa, we took our faces out of the car’s window and leaned out, almost like children ! The aerial view of the the bay, Sentosa Island , ships, apartments and highways beneath us, and mostly vacant cable cars. Lovely moment, indeed.
Fragrance of incense sticks, posters of Malabar gold, Tamil songs playing at vegetable shops, pedestrians dressed in traditional Tamil wear , huge decorative banners ( Diwali was round the corner) ; and traces of trash. Little India left us feeling a little disoriented and being at the home at the same time. We adored the view of an auspicious ceremony in front of a temple for a Goddess. As my hubby tried to capture a few frames, a local (almost in the frame at that moment) jokingly said ” Don’t take my picture, I am too ugly ” .
We did not plan this trip with a view to tick off all the tourist hotspots but to get a feel of the flavors, colors and character of the country. Singapore’s sophistication, discipline and eclectic mix of cultures was evident. While Singaporeans follow all the rules in the book and it’s there for everyone to see, I could recall my brother in law jokingly texting us ” Make sure you don’t get caned there! “.
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Looks out of a fairy tale. I am amazed Singapore has so much to see ☺️
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Thankyou for reading and Singapore indeed has lot to explore, difficult to cover in a short trip. 😊
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Great post Pooja, its been very long time since I visited Singapore. It was very organised city way back! Infact that was my first international city! 🙂
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First International city is always special.. isn’t it ?
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Yep, I am totally mesmerized by the city back then. I had my first McDonald’s fries there in a place called “Peoples Park”, well that was in 1991 😀
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Yes I was quite amazed to look at the old pictures of Singapore which looks nothing like now. The city is successful in so many ways..
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Great pictures Pooja! Singapore has still continued to charm Indians since 1980’s. Earlier it was shopping, now with its varied and stunning attractions!
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Yes indeed. So much to see and experience. We were indeed overwhelmed. And thanks for your comment 😊
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Happy to hear this Pooja 👍
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The photos are stunning…especially the ones you took during the evening.
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Thankyou. The evening sights are magnificent, specially from the top. 😃
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Beautiful and soothing to eyes !! Staying in heaven
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Thankyou. The gardens were absolutely stunning. They were my favourite. 😊
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Absolutely stunning!!
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Yes they indeed were. Infact one can spend an entire day in a single garden . Wish we had that much of time.
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Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I loved these (always the armchair traveller) the beauty and humour are so delightfully welcome 🙂
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Thankyou taking out the time to read it and expressing your thoughts 😊
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Your welcome, indeed, it was my pleasure “)
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Thank you for the post. (I made notes for our trip to Asia in December. First stop in Singapore)
🙂
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Thankyou for reading. Make sure you plan your trip as per the check in time of the hotel which is usually 2:00 pm in Singapore. 😊
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Thank you. I will have a look. At any rate it is a 30 hours flight… So… the hotel will have to take us in anyway… 😉
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Amazing pics!
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Thankyou so much 😊
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Very nice travel pictures of Singapore, i love to see the perspective from the tourists, visitors taking pictures of this country.
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Thankyou so much. I try to feel like a local though when I travel to a new city.. 😃
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That’s the way to travel!
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Yes Indeed 🙂
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I love Singapore – such an awesome city with so much to do! Your post has me all excited for my weekend there later this month! x
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Yes Indeed one needs an entire week to explore it fully.. 🙂
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Beautiful pics
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Thankyou so much. 🙂
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Welcome
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I’m hoping to visit Singapore early next year if all goes well. It’s about 20 years since I was last there and I expect to see a lot of changes. Your post has made me keen to get there and start exloring
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Oh that’s amazing to learn that. You must singapore again as I am sure things will be quite different now 😊
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Loved Singapore from your eyes…But my top favorite would be Universal Studio over there and Garden by Bay after that.
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Yes totally depends what kind of experience you are seeking. 😊
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Omg this is so well written. Followed 🙂 I also aspire to spread awareness of neurological diseases through the love of FOOD. Do also check out my first post and read my blog at http://autismandeats.wordpress.com Here’s to a great friendship. Appreciate it ❤️
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Thankyou 😊
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Ah you have been! I love your orchid photographs 🙂
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Thankyou . So many variations of orchids. Loved them all..
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Wow, it does look magical!
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Thankyou so much 😃
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Fantastic photos!
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Stunning pics Pooja. Enjoyed reading this & pics gave me virtual tour of Singapre😍
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Glad you enjoyed the post 😊
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Staying in Singapore, I have still not visited a couple of these places, Orchid Gardens being one of them. Looks really beautiful in the pics. Will plan soon! Thanks for sharing!
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Yes, you must visit those beautiful gardens. And thankyou for reading 😊
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Great post. Hope you enjoy your trip in Singapore!
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Thankyou and yes it was such a fun !
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The narrative as well as the pictures are so inviting!! Beautifully composed ☺️☺️
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Thankyou so much for going through it. ♥️
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Wow! Cloud Forrest looks amazing! Singapore is on my bucket travel list. Hope to get there soon. 🙂
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Yeah indeed cloud forest was stunning. You can’t get enough of those breathtaking gardens in Singapore. I wish we had more time..😊
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Gardens by the Bay was my favourite part of Singapore! How magical is it?
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Absolutely. Being a flower lover it was mine favourite too and thankyou for reading 😊
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Same here
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What a dazzling photo essay! Loved it! Thanks for following my blog – there will be a shout out to you in a post soon. Stop by for a visit any time!
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Thankyou so much for lovely words of encouragement. Means a lot. Will look forward to your next post 😊
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Thanks for the awesome snaps! Really enjoyed your ‘Dazzling Affair’ =)
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Thankyou so much for going through it. I really appreciate that ❤️
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I know right! Singapore is love❤
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Absolutely..and thankyou for commenting 😊
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You bought back great memories Pooja, we were there in September and had a wonderful time. I would have liked to have seen Little India at night time though, with all the lights. Looks spectacular. 🙂
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Awesome! Sounds really fun. Amazing place, great photos!
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Thankyou so much ❤️
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Great post if a lovely place to visit.
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Thank you for reading. 😃
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Amazing picture, I have been to Singapore and pics you shared relives those memories.
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Thankyou! There is so much to see and do in such a small country. Worth visiting once in lifetime.😀
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Yep truly loved it..My fav place was Garden by the Bay!.
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And Changi Truly deserves to best Airport in the world..Such glorious it is.
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