Traveling is the break I give myself when my body shouts for a pause from the daily grind.  Being wanderlust, I have traveled to various parts of Asia like Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Japan. 

The Sparkle of Macau shimmered my travel wagon.  Discovering Ho Chi Minh’s Hidden Charm led me to a journey to the lost city where I saw the beauty of Angkor Wat, rustic and majestic in the same breath.

Interestingly, I have yet to visit Singapore.  And I think it’s about time.

Landscapes frequently occupy the space in my camera.  Take a modern turn and allow me to unveil a breathtaking cityscape this time around.  Singapore is an island city-state but this highly cosmopolitan country has 2009 reasons why a Singapore voyage should be next on everyone’s list.  Singapore is the melting pot of the best cuisines in Asia along with mélange of flavors from around the globe.  Gastronomic boredom can now just be part of the past.  Urban configuration, sanitary atmosphere, adventure, romance and the finest culinary variety to spice up my life –highly charged and spirited, Singapore gets me singing, “I’m leaving on a jet plane.”

At the touch down of the airplane, see me saunter off to the first stop of the day.

Jurong Bird Park

Jurong Bird Park is the world’s largest aviary.  Interact with colorful birds from all over the world like finches, pheasants, herons, mallards, owls, cockatoos and falcons.  Egg-cellent saver package SGD 25 gets me an admission into the Bird Park, Panorail rides, Afrrican waterfall aviary bird feeding, lorry loft bird feeding on top of seeing the different centers like Parrot Paradise, Penguin Expedition, World of Darkness, Dinosaur Descendants, Heliconia Walk, Royal Ramble, Swan Lake among others.

Wander around, smell the flowers and let the morning sun kiss your face while you play with the friendliest lories.  While feeding the lories you can shift the cup with grains from one hand to another and the lorry will walk on one arm, behind your neck and to the other arm.  What a bubble of cuteness. 

Bubba with Sis Jaymie

Hainanese Chicken placed Singapore in the “food” map so I will probably start my morning with that.  Nothing beats hankering to slurp a Hainanese chicken soup to warm me up.  Boon Tong Kee supposedly has the best Hainanese chicken rice in Singapore and bar none anywhere else in the world. 
http://www.boontongkee.com.sg/

Underwater World

Underwater World is the home of 2,500 marine animals.  Water is my sign and nothing can be more calming than being near water or watching underwater friends swimming swiftly in their territory.  Capture some ocean excitement viewing the world’s largest display of sand tiger sharks! 

That second stop categorically got me thinking of seafood.  I love seafood.  Since Bubba is not a big seafood fan, seafood restaurants have taken a back seat.  However, I cannot miss the chance to try Jumbo Seafood Restaurant http://www.jumboseafood.com.sg/, which is the biggest name in seafood and consistent quality!  It wouldn’t be hard to locate with its many branches.  Must-have list should include chili crabs, black pepper crabs and broccoli with scallops.  This is my jumbo chance to convert Bubba into a seafood fan. 

Reverse Bungee Jump at Clarke Quay 

Clarke Quay is one of the historical sites, delightfully bridging the modern and traditional in Singapore.  It is located in the riverside that play host to a colorful kaleidoscope of restaurants, wine bars, entertainment spots and retail shops.

Image Source: My Friend Francis

At this point, I’d be hungry for some adrenaline high.  The answer: Reverse Bungy Jump.  I can’t wait to brace myself as I go rotating in air at great speeds, clockwise, counterclockwise.  I’ve experienced parasailing and sky jumping elsewhere but the reverse bungee jump is absolutely uniquely Singapore. 

Orchard Road 

Want to experience the 5^th Avenue of New York without traveling that far?  Orchard Road is the place to be.  Hundreds of high-end shops populate the area.  Other than the love to shop, street photography abounds with the architectural sites and skyscrapers, not to mention the interesting crowds.  Orchard Central. Ngee Ann City. Wisma Atria. Ion Orchard. Plaza Singapura. Lucky Plaza. Far East Plaza. Wheelock Place. Paragon. The Heeren Shops. Tang Plaza. The Centrepoint. Forum. The Shopping Mall. Shaw House and Centre. Mandarin Gallery. Orchard Point. Hilton Singapore. Palais Renaissance. Liat Towers. Scotts Shopping Centre.

Singapore Flyer

Hop on aboard the giant observation wheel, Singapore Flyer, besting out the London Eye in height, claiming a 30m difference.  The best time to get a spectacular view of the island city is just before the sun kisses the horizon.  Catch the crossover of the yin and yang of day and night.  Glimpse at the beauty of Singapore’s urban landscape with daylight and the breathtaking view of the sparkling waterfront, towering skyscrapers and tropical greenery.  Next image transitions to an orange glow cast over the city.  Remain in that interstitial space and breathe in the moment where you are standing at a stunning 165 meters height –with a scenic painting changing its palette from white to black in front of your eyes.

The night falls.  Get a 360-degree panoramic view of Singapore dancing in lights.  Music or no music, feel the beat and hop, bop and boogie to colorful glimmer.  With a special someone, feel the symphony and dance softly to the illumination of lights.

Night Life

Burn the midnight oil would be more fantastic with company –and not just the usual company.  Nocturnal animals.  Uniquely Singapore’s Night Safari offers an outrageous adventure at night, see a bearcat crossing a large rope across the audience or a wild cat jumping approximately 10 feet to get meat.  I’ll be jumping in joy to see creatures of the night show.

Club Hopping

Where else in the world can one get some culture with nightlife?  Chijmes has mounds of history entrapped beautifully behind its cloister mosaic walls.  Chijmes was once the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (1854) that now transformed to a zone of restaurants, bars and shops –one of the premiere lifestyle joints in Singapore.  Gourmands and foodies will never have it this good. 

Singapore is famous in Asia for its party vibe and vibrant nonstop nightlife from dusk ‘til dawn.  I don’t have to worry if my Singapore vacation in on a weekend or weekday as the party frenzy bubbles every night of the week.   My shindig jumps from Attica to O Bar to to Café Iguana to Zouk to The Butter Factory and to Phuture –stoke the heat and dance to the sound waves.  Leave it to Singapore to give you the grandest after-hours of drinking and dancing of all sizes and genres.  My dancing shoes might wear out but my dancing spirit will continue to jiggle.  Mental note to self, alcohol is good in preserving anything except secrets.

Capping the night off, I will go to somewhere quiet to settle down and revel in the night of music.  Bar None in Mariott Hotel supposedly has the best crowd mixed with a great atmosphere, where people listen to live band and also has impromptu comedy on certain nights.  I would love to tone down the night at this place and grab a few laughs before heading back to the hotel.

Deeply intrigued by Singapore, one day isn’t enough for all the sights I want to see and all the things I want to do, plus all the friends I want to meet.  Break out of yourself and make most of each corner of Singapore –there is something enriching, enjoyable, adventurous, rewarding, and romantic there for every individual I want to be.

Uniquely Singapore –what champagne dreams and caviar wishes are made of. 

Singapore, hold on to your seat!  I’m arriving!!! 🙂

Indulge in the Uniquely Singapore experience!

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