My Singapore experience

Dear Readers,

In this blog post, I want to share my journey to Asia, specifically to Singapore and the Philippines. But why did I choose to travel there? The primary reason was three wonderful people I was eager to (re)meet.

I didn't wait long, applied for a sabbatical at work, and booked my flight to Singapore, the ultimate global metropolis.

As a German citizen, you don’t need a visa to enter Singapore, but you do need an Arrival Card (SGAC), which you can apply for free through the official website. Don’t fall for the trick of applying through a third-party service, as they charge money for this service. Unfortunately, in my haste, I fell for this trick and unnecessarily paid for the Arrival Card, which would have been free.

Day 1: Chinatown, Fort Canning Park, and the Vertical Garden

Without any expectations, I boarded the plane and spent the next 18 hours above the clouds, but not alone. My seatmates were also Germans on their way to South Africa. We chatted until 4 a.m. at Hamad Airport about traveling to distant countries, the modern dating scene, and philosophy. It’s always fascinating to see how easy it is to meet people when you travel alone. But eventually, the conversation had to end as we said our goodbyes and continued our flights in opposite directions.

Another 7 hours passed before I finally caught my first glimpse of the global metropolis of Singapore: vibrant streets full of people crowded the alleys and sidewalks of the small city-state. I was also immediately introduced to the unique architecture, which resembles a post-apocalyptic movie where plants merge with buildings. However, it should be noted that this didn’t apply to all buildings in Singapore. Still, it was amazing to see how green this city is, even though it's surrounded by so many buildings.

Upon arriving at the airport, I got my first taste of what to expect in this city: countless shops, a large number of people from all over the world, and a massive waterfall that attracted the crowds. It’s this very waterfall that makes Singapore’s airport (SIN) so unique.

I spent some time at the airport, waiting for my friend, who was about to pick me up. After wandering through the huge airport, I met my friend at the entrance. This was our first time meeting in real life, as we had only been in touch via WhatsApp for over 5 years. It felt as if we had known each other forever, and it seemed perfectly normal to just travel 6000 km to visit a friend. We sat down in a café and talked for hours — after all, we had a lot to catch up on after meeting for the first time. At the end of our conversation, she gave me an EZ Link Card, which allows you to use all public transport in Singapore. These cards are usually only available to people living in Singapore, but they are essential for your stay because Singapore’s train and bus system is exceptionally well developed, allowing you to travel from one end of the city to the other in just a few minutes. This also saves you time.

A good alternative to the EZ Link Card is the Singapore Tourist Pass, which you can easily purchase at the airport and load with money. For my 4-day stay, I spent around 20€ on bus and train rides. Once you have the card, you can head straight to the airport's train station and get started. Just scan the card at the ticket scanner, pass through the gate, and take the train to your hotel. I used Google Maps to navigate from A to B.

If you want to take a bus, the process is similar to the train. You board at the front, scan your card, and (this is crucial) check out when you exit the bus. If you don’t do this, you will be charged the fare to the last stop.

I opted for the train and checked into my hotel without any problems. Finding affordable accommodation in Singapore where you don’t have to share a room can be difficult. If you want to save money, Singapore offers a wide range of hostels, each with its own charm. However, if hostels aren’t your thing, you can book a single room like I did, which is usually a bit more expensive than a hostel. I stayed at the JJH Aliwal Hotel, which offers this budget-friendly option. However, don’t expect too much, as the rooms are about 6m² and really only suitable for sleeping. For those with higher standards, the Hotel Boss across the street offers rooms with much higher standards.

From my location, there were plenty of street food restaurants, and I tried several of them. The great thing about Singapore is its cultural diversity, which means you can find something different to eat on every corner. From Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese to European cuisine, everything is available, and all at a reasonable price. On average, I paid between 7–12€ for a meal, which is quite reasonable for street food. As a self-caterer, you would pay similar prices, so cooking here doesn’t always seem worth the effort. However, if you have special requests or want to buy snacks like drinks and chips for the hotel or on the go, you’ll find a 7-Eleven on almost every corner.

But now, let’s continue with the journey. Since the subway system and bus routes are almost perfect for reaching every tourist hotspot in Singapore, I naturally decided to visit the tourist attractions. On Day 1, I stayed away from buses and trains and walked through the streets to get familiar with the area. The weather in October was warm with high humidity as expected. However, due to the unique architectural style of the city, some breezes swept my way, which was a refreshing surprise. So, walking wasn’t too bad. I headed to Fort Canning Park, a 50-meter-high hill surrounded by a variety of plant species. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, this is the perfect place to relax.

After the walk on the hill, I went to another smaller attraction in Singapore: The Vertical Garden. To be honest, I don’t remember much about it, except that this wall holds the world record for the longest vertical garden. So, it wasn’t that remarkable for me personally. However, there were some sculptures nearby, as well as the heart of the district: Chinatown.

Chinatown itself impresses with the typical Chinese architectural style, especially visible at the temple. It was fascinating to watch the monks pray and sing. So, if you're already there, be sure to visit the temple. Right next door, there are huge markets selling all the things tourists need: souvenirs and food. There were so many that I often got lost in the crowd because the shopping street is incredibly long. After a long day, it was time for me to head back to the hotel, but not without experiencing the nightlife. In the alleys of the Kampong Glam district, the streets are just as lively as during the day. Plenty of bars and live music decorated the nighttime atmosphere, along with the open culture of the people. Reluctantly, I left after a few drinks to prepare for the next day and get some rest. After all, I had to remember that my jet lag had just begun.

EZ Link Card

Vertical Garden

China Town

Fort Canning Park

... sculptures

Day 2: Botanical Garden & Gardens by the Bay

As you can tell from the first day, I already gained a lot of experiences, but that didn’t stop me from continuing my adventure in Singapore after what felt like 12 hours of sleep. On the second day of my journey, I headed to the Botanical Garden, which was easily accessible via the subway system. The garden is definitely worth a visit, not only because entry is free but also because it’s absolutely massive. I spent 4 hours in this beautifully landscaped plant world and even forgot at times that I was still in a garden within a city. It was a peaceful, pleasant environment with… as expected, a variety of plants. Aside from the main paths, there were also smaller hiking trails that provided an interesting diversion. If you pay attention, you might even spot some animals hiding in the trees and bushes. In the evening, I headed back to my favorite street food area, but not alone. My friend and I were spontaneously persuaded by a street vendor to order meat on a skewer, served with a delicious peanut sauce.

Afterwards, we took a stroll through the district, which looked especially stunning at night. Since it was Friday, my friend reminded me of an event that takes place every weekend on Friday and Saturday in Singapore: The Light Show at Gardens by the Bay. We took the train and made our way there.

From personal experience, I can tell you that this is an event you shouldn’t miss, as it offers magical moments and beautiful scenery. The light show changes every weekend or even every month, so a visit is always worthwhile.

Entry is free, but for about 15€, you have the option to walk on the bridges between the trees to enjoy the light show. Personally, I laid down on the ground to watch the event. From the farthest corner, a very magical sound emerged that seemed to teleport me straight to Hogwarts. The lights began to move and flicker in sync with the Harry Potter soundtrack. This pattern continued with different movies, from Jurassic Park to Star Wars… It was surreal how amazing I thought the show was.

Therefore, I highly recommend this event, as it is something everyone should experience at least once!

Gardens by the bay

Streetfood

Singapore at night time

Gardens by the bay live show

Botanical Garden

And yes, the garden was huge!

Day 3: Cloudforest, S.E.A. Museum & Universal Studio Park

On my penultimate day, I planned a really packed schedule since it wouldn’t have worked any other way within the available time. Early in the morning, I jumped out of bed half-asleep, got ready, and ordered breakfast. After a coffee, the day could finally begin. My first destination: The Cloudforest.
So, I made my way to the bus terminal and arrived a few minutes later. But before I visited the Cloudforest, I really wanted to see Gardens by the Bay during the day. Even without the LED technology, it was a charming place full of greenery and Chinese-inspired architecture. Of course, I had to take some photos to share with you.

After a small walk of about 40 minutes, I was finally ready to enter the Cloudforest. A ticket costs around $25 - $30. However, you also have the option to buy a combination ticket for multiple attractions to get a discount. But I only wanted to visit the Cloudforest, so I purchased a single ticket.

As soon as I passed through the entrance, I felt a cool relief. Thank goodness the Cloudforest is air-conditioned… and with no high humidity, which was my biggest concern. I was welcomed by a massive structure made of plants and water that left a magical impression, which is hard to describe. There was so much to see, like the world’s smallest orchid or a ginger that only grows in Singapore. The maintenance of a humid and sustainable ecosystem is really impressive. Every 60 minutes, special misting systems ensure that the entire glass dome remains at an ideal plant-friendly level. Through the mist, I made my way through to the inside of the structure, which is divided into several levels. Each level enhanced the immersion into the plant world. I spent a lot of time on one level, as it contained alarming facts about climate change and how humans are the key to this issue. I could write a lot about this topic because it affects not only me and you but the entire planet. I hadn’t realized how much impact simple actions can have on the environment. So, I just want to say that everyone is responsible for the preservation of our planet. Even small actions like not spitting gum on the street can later have a huge effect on our future – so act mindfully.

After 3 truly informative hours, which I never thought I’d spend solely with plants, I left the Cloudforest. I highly recommend this attraction to anyone, whether for a love of the environment or simply as an occasional visitor who wants to see everything. There’s something for everyone in the Cloudforest. If you’re looking for a cool souvenir as a memento of your vacation or a gift for someone special, you can buy many items at the exit. For example, you can purchase a variety of necklaces with plant pendants or postcards and small statues.

Cloudforest

... with some photos from the outside area

Next, I headed to my next destination, Sentosa.
It would have only taken 30 minutes by air-conditioned bus to reach the island, but being a typical German, I couldn’t resist the walk there. After all, you can observe a lot of architecture and culture along the way that you might not notice at first glance if you were traveling by public transport. The whole journey took about 1 ½ hours, and eventually, I arrived in Sentosa on foot. Was the walk worth it? Well, along the way, I noticed that even though the infrastructure was good, the country wasn’t immune to the usual construction sites. It was a bit frustrating having to switch sides of the street every 5 minutes, but eventually, I reached my next destination.

Originally, my plan was to visit the Universal Studios amusement park. However, I soon realized that the park wasn’t open continuously. I would have had about an hour before the park closed. At the vending machines, which are scattered around the area, there was also a second option: the Halloween Horror Nights, which would take place at the Universal Studios theme park. Without hesitation, I bought the ticket, which you can pay for with a regular credit card (Visa/Mastercard) at the vending machine. I do recommend buying a ticket for entry the day before, as it is usually 20 – 30 USD cheaper. Of course, I still had to kill time for 3 hours since the Horror Nights wouldn’t start until about 7:30 PM. So, I looked around to see what else Sentosa had to offer. The first thing that caught my eye was the S.E.A. Museum, which, as the name suggests, is an aquarium. Tickets were available for 25 USD, which I thought was a fair price. The printer gave me my ticket, and I made my way to the museum, which was right next to the amusement park. I was greeted by a friendly shark mascot at the entrance.

Once inside, I went through an underwater tunnel, followed by numerous aquariums, and finally, a huge panoramic aquarium, which I had never seen anywhere else before. It was amazing to see how many fish this underwater world contained: hammerhead sharks, manta rays, catfish, starfish, and eels. I spent some time there, took some photos with the visitors, and enjoyed the scenery. After about 2 hours, I left the museum since it was coffee time for me. I went to the nearest Starbucks and had my Americano while I waited for the amusement park to open. By then, a lot of people had gathered in front of the entrances, some covered in blood, others dressed as zombies, and some just casually dressed – like me.

S.E.A Aquarium

After some time, a siren blared like something out of a horror movie...
That was probably the signal for entry, as the huge crowd suddenly stormed into the park. Naturally, I didn’t fight my way through and waited for a while until most of the visitors had gone in. Then it was my turn, the ticket was scanned, there was a brief security check, and then it was time to enter the haunted house.

From a distance, I heard a dark voice announcing the opening ceremony. After a brief speech, the spectacle began, and you could walk through the winding alleys and also enjoy many attractions. But you had to watch where you went because at certain corners, monsters lurked, waiting to scare someone. It was an exciting concept that gave me both fun and fright. For example, you could walk through the Jurassic World, which had a horror twist – this made sure that entering some attractions was only recommended with caution. Besides the many roller coasters, there was also a 4D cinema and an event at the castle. Unfortunately, not all attractions were open that evening, so I could only experience a small part of them. However, the staff really did their best to spread fear.

By the way, if you want to ride roller coasters, you can store your valuables for free in a locker. You’ll be given a number at the terminal, which you should remember. Usually, the lockers have a timer for about an hour, so you should retrieve your things before it runs out, or you’ll be charged a fee every 20 minutes. Therefore, I recommend briefly visiting your locker after each attraction to reset the timer. Additionally, when booking your ticket, you can opt for priority lanes for the attractions. Expect to pay at least 20 – 40 USD for this upgrade.

For the most part, however, this wasn’t very useful for me personally, as I found that going through the single-person lanes was often faster than waiting in the regular lines, even when I was alone. However, if you don’t want to wait, consider upgrading your ticket.

All in all, this event was an unforgettable evening for me. I went in without any expectations, and yet, I was impressed. If you happen to not be there for the Halloween Horror Nights, the regular visit is definitely worth it too! The only downside for me would be the ticket price, which ranges between 80 – 100 USD. But as the saying goes: When on vacation, don’t focus on saving money – take every opportunity, because sooner or later, you might regret not trying something.

Universal Studios: Halloween Horror Nights

Day 4: Departure to the Philippines

On my last day, I went through the city one more time to do some shopping. After a long day, I returned to my room with a bunch of keychains and patches to recharge a bit. It seemed that the last 3 days had really worn me out, and I was still struggling with jet lag. However, as I spontaneously learned from my acquaintance, this day wasn’t going to end so early. I was invited by her friends to spend my last evening with them. I was really amazed by their incredibly warm hospitality, especially considering I was in a foreign apartment with people I had just met.

For dinner, we had Filipino food (shrimp, chicken soup) and a few beers. What I didn’t realize beforehand was that there were no knives as utensils. Instead, people in Asia use chopsticks or spoons as knife substitutes. At first, this felt a bit unusual for me, as cutting a shrimp with a spoon turned out to be quite a challenge.

The evening ended with a karaoke party. As a natural singing talent, I gave my opponents a serious earache – sorry about that!😅
This was just a taste of what awaited me on my onward journey to the Philippines. But more on that in a separate post! 😉

Thanks to all the wonderful people I had the pleasure of meeting during my 4 days!

Photo -Dump