BY AISLING COWLEY
Singapore is not a typical location on a backpacker’s trail through SouthEast Asia due to its expensive nature. I decided to visit Singapore as it is home to iconic landmarks such as The Marina Bay Sands and The Gardens by the Bay.
Singapore is one of the smallest countries in Asia and is more comparable to a western world city such as New York rather than a typical city in Asia. Due to its advanced infrastructure, technology and approach to the environment, Singapore can be described as futuristic.
Given the size of the country and the cost of living, I opted for a three day action-packed stay. Singapore is one of the most expensive countries in the world. The prices for accommodation, food and attractions are comparable to Ireland at present. I booked my accommodation in advance to get the best offer available; however accommodation for less than 100 euro per night was few and far between.
To minimise taxi fares I stayed in a hotel relatively close to the city. I had high expectations for my accommodation as it was expensive and a well-known, reputable chain. To my disappointment all restaurant facilities were closed apart from a breakfast buffet charging €30 per person.
To my surprise the accommodation in Bali was of a higher standard and at a fraction of the price. Although Singapore is well known for its cutting edge cuisine and cocktail culture, it comes at a hefty price.
As a result of the multicultural nature of Singapore there is a vast range of food available. Singapore comprises predominantly Chinese residents followed by Malay and Indian. Districts such as Little India and Chinatown have become extremely popular among tourists in recent years.
I experienced various food while in Singapore and came to the conclusion that the street food is the most affordable, and appetising. The quality of the street food proved to be a lot better than the restaurants I sampled.
The ‘Singapore Sling’, a famous cocktail known as the national drink has since turned into one of the biggest tourist experiences. The Raffles Hotel, a historic landmark where the drink was first created is high-end and luxurious, crowded with tourists ordering the delicious cocktail.
Other attractions I visited such as the Gardens by the Bay, the Merlion statue and Sentosa Island are free to enter. I set aside an entire day when planning my trip to explore Sentosa Island, it is full of attractions such as the Fort Siloso Military Museum, Sky Walk, Cable Cars, a Waterpark, an Aquarium, and Universal Studios Theme Park.
One of my favourite attractions included the Singapore Flyer, which is an observation wheel, the city lights illuminate the skyline at night, the height so great Malaysia is visible from the top. Another spectacular view I enjoyed was at the observation deck at the Marina Bay Sands which shows an impressive 360 degree view, and proved to be the perfect location to rewind after a long day and watch the Gardens’ light show.
Nature and wildlife are at the forefront of Singapore’s mission to restore their green economy, with millions of trees visible throughout the city. I had read about ‘The Garden City’ whilst researching Singapore, however I was surprised to witness this sustainable living first hand.
The pristine condition of the streets made the city feel surreal, the strict laws enforced in Singapore keeping littering and crime at bay. The Singapore Zoo is home to hundreds of animals that are conserved, protected and bred, whilst the Night Safari is the worlds first nocturnal wildlife park.
Both are equally impressive.Singapore’s compact size made it possible to fit dozens of new experiences into three days. It is definitely a must see destination while travelling through SouthEast Asia.
