Asian Fusion in Singapore - 24-Hour Travel Guide
The historic sign for the Cavenagh Bridge
Singapore's skyline from the Esplanade
Singaporean Chili Crabs are not to be missed (courtesy Flickr: VirtualErn)
The stately Raffles Hotel, named for Singapore's founder (courtesy Flickr: My Alternative Photos)
Overview - Singapore is a vibrant, modern Asian city with a fascinating and often seedy colonial history. Sometimes referred to as “the only shopping mall with a seat at the United Nations,” Singapore is a city, an island and a country – known for its lack of chewing gum, it’s extreme corporal punishment laws and its wonderful mishmash of Asian cultures.
Breakfast - The best way to eat breakfast in Singapore is at a coffee shop, or kopitiam. These are the pubs of Singapore where locals gather to chat, socialize and of course, eat. Kopitam are more like food courts than coffee shops, which means you have a variety of choices for breakfast. I would go for a staple Singaporean breakfast of kopi (strong, sugary coffee), toast with kaya (egg & coconut jam), and fried eggs.
Morning - Getting around Singapore is easy because of the super efficient metro system, the MRT. Before it gets too hot out, go explore some of the historic sites in downtown Singapore. The Raffles Place MRT station will let you out next to the Singapore River. From here, you can check out the antique Cavenagh Bridge and several museums, including the Asian Civilizations Museum. If you walk down the riverside to the Esplanade, you’ll get grand views of the Singapore skyline – well worth photographing.
Lunch - Singapore’s cuisine is a true fusion of many Asian cooking styles. For lunch, dig into one of the city’s specialties – chilli crabs. Jumbo Seafood along the Riverwalk at Boat Quay (pronounced “key”) serves up some of the best in the city. Plus, the wonderful atmosphere next to the river will entice you to linger awhile over a Tiger Beer and enjoy the Singaporean sunshine.
Afternoon - Since you’re about as close to the equator as you’ll probably ever get, you might as well soak up some rays at the beach. Catch a quick ferry from Harbour Front MRT station to Sentosa Island, where several decent beaches await you. If you’re looking for eye candy and a happening atmosphere, definitely check out Tanjong Beach. But if you’re with the kiddies, Palawan Beach is totally family-friendly.
Dinner - Skip the crowds at the Riverside and opt for something different – Inle Myanmar Restaurant. This joint caters mostly to the small Burmese community in Singapore and allows you to sample the food of a country that you probably won’t have a chance to visit on your trip. The dishes are a curious combination of Indian and Thai cooking.
After Dark - With a belly full of Burmese nosh, hop aboard a boat for an evening cruise along Singapore River and out around the port. Once the sun sets, the lights of Singapore’s well-known skyscrapers come ablaze, affording gorgeous viewing opportunities. Afterwards, stop for a late night beer or two in one of the many bars along the Riverside. In Bar 84, the bartender performs magic tricks.
Sleep - The obvious place to stay in Singapore is the iconic Raffles Hotel, named for Sir Thomas Raffles, who established Singapore as a British port-of-call. If the prices at the Raffles are a bit over the top for your taste, there are many mid-range and budget alternatives all over Singapore. The Robertson Quay Hotel is a good, no frills option.
Tags: History, colonial, modern, skyscraper, river