I have never travelled so far before and Singapore was a wonderful revelation – a mixture of eastern cultures with an emphasis on service.
The heat – and humidity - after the cold of London was so welcome! And the thunderstorms were relatively short-lived!
The major shopping area is Orchard Road - London’s Knightsbridge and Oxford and Bond streets all rolled into one – where you can buy anything from designer like Prada to high street like Zara in Malls that are just enormous. We went to Paragon which had a welcome play area for young children but I must admit I preferred ambling round Chinatown or Bugis Village.
Bugis Village is a must if you have teenagers. Masses of clothes at bargain prices where you can try to haggle the price. Olivia, having travelled for two months through South-east Asia, was adept at this!
In Chinatown the Chinese Heritage Centre is fun to visit and not far away is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore which is fascinating.
The Asian Civilisations Museum (across the river from The Fullerton where we stayed) is an interesting introduction to the East and its history and each floor has an interactive corner for children to sit and play in.
Night Safari – next to Singapore Zoo and you can get a discount when buying tickets to both. (Also if you fly with Singapore Airlines keep your boarding pass as this entitles you to reductions as well.) The Night Safari is wonderful once you get past the themed restaurants and cafés. Allow two hours.
Take a glass cable car to Sentosa Island for fabulous views (if you don’t have a head for heights the island is easily accessible by public transport). The beaches are a must if you have younger children who like to play in the sand and sea – or older ones who like to sunbathe.
Also on Sentosa is Underwater World, the Butterfly Park and the Pink Dolphin show whihc we found this rather sad especially having seen dolphins performing at sea for no incentives!
Just opened is the Singapore Flyer which is bigger than the London Eye.
You are spoiled for choice for places to eat from Indian and Chinese to pizza and burgers! From roadside sellers to to five star restaurants. Boat and Clarke Quays are both great for al fresco dining by the river.
My visit to Singapore was only for six days and there were so many places I didn't get. For more of what is on offer go to www.visitsingapore.com