The Garden City
When my mom returned from her work trip to the sprawling metropolis that is Singapore, it would not be an overstatement to say I was completely mesmerized by her experiences she told me about. My fascination did not stop there, prompting me to look deeper into the so-called “Garden City”. Singapore is one of the most wondrous destinations in all of Asia, best described as a distinct combination of urban architecture and the beauty of nature, not to mention its interesting history and its being a cultural melting pot.
The History of Singapore
Singapore is located just off the southern coast of Malaysia. The island is an incredibly young country and was previously part of the British Empire. In 1959 Singapore became completely self-governing and along with other surrounding countries in 1963 formed the Federation of Malaysia. The union was a relative failure, enduring multiple riots. Singapore was expelled from the federation in 1965. This abruptly made Singapore an independent nation.
Changi Airport
Interestingly enough, you can encounter one of the must-see places to visit in Singapore as soon as your flight lands. The famous Changi Airport features incredible architectural design, and its obvious highlight is the “HSBC Rain Vortex”, the largest indoor waterfall in the world. It is surrounded on all sides by beautiful tropical plants and trees sitting atop multiple floor levels. The area is topped by a ginormous skylight. The tram runs just adjacent to it, offering a breathtaking view. My mom said “The Singapore airport was one of the nicest I have ever been in. You almost forget why you are there!”
Marina Bay Sands
One of the most interesting locations in Singapore is the iconic Marina Bay Sands. The five star hotel is best known for its unique design consisting of three main towers, each 57 stories high and roughly 650 feet tall. They are topped by a giant observation deck resting upon all three. Not only does the lookout offer views of the shining sea, but also features the largest infinity pool in the world which is an astounding 492 feet long. Resting adjacent to the buildings is the Marina Bay Sands Mall. The mall is right along the sea and features many luxury brands. The Apple store stands out among the rest of the shops, with it being entirely surrounded by water and offers a beautiful panoramic view of the ocean. According to my mom, “The Marina Bay Sands hotel is really impressive both when you are standing at the bottom looking up and when you are on the top looking across the beautiful skyline. It is definitely a destination to visit while in Singapore.”
Gardens by the Bay
Perhaps one of the most well known places in Singapore, the world renowned Gardens by the Bay will captivate all who visit it. It has alien-like architecture, something unseen from anywhere else in the world, surrounded by all sorts of unusual and exotic plants growing in strange towers, each with hundreds of steel branches. These structures, known as the “Super Trees”, can be anywhere from 80 to 160 feet, each one of the 15 illuminating the night sky with their beautiful lights. Despite simply being metal, the Supertrees almost seem to be living. My mom said that “I had heard of Gardens by the Bay and seen pictures, but it is much better in person. The two air conditioned green houses not only have plants from all over the world, but they are so large that one contains a multi-story waterfall. The giant, artificial “super trees” outside light up at night and are surrounded by beautiful tropical plants native to Singapore.”
Singaporean Cuisine
Singapore has a highly distinct cuisine that is sure to amaze anyone who tastes it. It can be described as a colorful combination of various surrounding cultures’ foods, such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indonesian. Due to its coastal location, many dishes are seafood focused and because of its many influences, Singaporean food is often flavorful and spicy. My Mom’s favorite dish was Peranakan Chicken Curry.
