Singapore stopover- Nov 2013

Singapore does not have my type of weather, it's hot, it's humid- even late at night. But everywhere you look, it's a city of contradictions- where east meets west, old meets new, and real meets fake.

The last time I went to Singapore was when I was studying my college degree. I spent some time meandering the streets in search for food, culture and adventure. I remember it being exhausting, but I remembered fresh chicken rice, captivating temples, and mesmerising blossoms.

This time around, we were enroute to Taiwan via Singapore on Scoot. The flight was smooth. But since the food at coolangatta airport was expensive (and by the looks of the food half eaten left on the tables, we ate nothing), we bought instant noodles on the plane. Yummy seafood cup noodles, full size for only S$5. The scooties (air hostesses) were a little standoffish and rude, but since I needed nothing from them, it wasn't an issue.

When we arrived in Singapore, the hot air already filled the airport. We checked in our luggage early at Singapore airport for $5, and left our hand luggage at the left baggage counter for under S$4. The train into the city was super cheap- S$2.10, paid using coins at the automatic ticketing machines.

We headed into Maxwell hawker centre to try the renown chicken rice. The chicken was smooth but the rice was overcooked. I think the drink stand opposite chicken rice must be laughing, everyone bought drinks from them purely based on location, but the soy drink was well worth the money.

After this, we tried to head to the Marina Bay Gardens. We got lost. Walked the wrong way. And strangers directed us to the nearest MRT station. Super friendly people in Sg! By the time we got there, we were already hot and exhausted. But again, since it was already night time, I got lost. Took me a while to find the super grove trees, but when we got there it was worth it. It was such a magical place, artificial trees grown on reclaimed land. Almost as if I was in the forests in avatar. As if perfectly planned, as so as we reached the top of the OSBC walkways, the show started. It was a long musical production matched with the changing lights of the trees. To me, it seemed to symbolise the destruction and rejuvenation of nature.

This overlooked the giant Marina Bay Sands hotel. This was a magnificent hotel which has changed the landscape of Singapore. A few years ago, this place didn't even exist. We wandered around to find an eatery overlooking Marina Bay Sands- tried the chilli crab, another chicken rice, and coconut juice. Yes, I keep forgetting that I hate the taste of coconut. This time, the chicken was rough but the rice tasted just right. We watched the light show, which was nothing spectacular.

Then we headed back to the airport for a midnight feed. So disappointed. We ordered at the 24hour food court. The chubby chef pretty much said nothing on the menu was available. Super funny guy, we ordered something he said was available, then came back and said, no no longer available. Because of the weather we were dripping with sweat by the time we got to the boarding gates.

Singapore's weather makes it a difficult stopover. But if you haven't seen the super tree groves, head over during the night.