4 reasons to explore Singapore
Posted 5 October, 2018
John Pedler
Singapore, one of Asia’s major crossroads, is a vibrant blend of colourful cultures, delicious food and sensory delights. Add these 4 attractions to your itinerary and you won’t be disappointed.
Singapore Zoo
More than 300 animal species call Singapore Zoo home, including several that are threatened in the wild. You’ll come across white tigers, pygmy hippos, the frighteningly dinosaur-like Komodo dragon, all sorts of monkeys, and even a real life wolverine (which is more like a small, feisty bear rather than a moody superhero with a steel skeleton.)
Many of the animals roam free in landscaped environments behind sunken moats, instead of locked up in traditional cages. This gives the zoo an open-range, safari park feel.
For an extra thrill, nosh down with the original ‘rangas’ on a Breakfast with the Orang-utans experience.
Gardens by the Bay
Covering 1.2 hectares and made up of 3,332 glass panels, the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay is the largest glass greenhouse in the world. Here you’ll find brightly coloured displays of flowering plants from the Mediterranean and semi-arid regions, including South Africa, South America and Oz, plus an impressive collection of succulents and cacti.
In the adjacent Cloud Forest glasshouse somewhere in the mist – is a man-made mountain, cloaked in lush vegetation. Tumbling from its peak is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.
Outside, stroll along the elevated OCBC Skyway among the ‘treetops’ of the Supertree vertical gardens, with great views across to Singapore city centre.
Universal Studios
Although it’s the smallest of Universal’s theme parks, it still has 24 attractions across seven zones – Hollywood, New York City, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away and Madagascar.
The kids will bump into some of their favourite characters like the Minions from Despicable Me and the Penguins from Madagascar.
And while the movie Waterworld has received mixed reviews over the years, the action-packed live show adaptation is not to be missed – the kids will be bugging you for a jet ski for the rest of the year.
Thrill seekers can have a crack at the Battlestar Gallactica inspired, Human vs Cyclon dueling rollercoasters, which perform tumbles and turns more than 40 metres in the air.
If you go at a busy time, consider buying an Express Pass which will get you nearer the front of any queues.
Taste Singapore
Singapore’s not just about chilli crab, but if that’s the only dish you try you can go home happy. Cracking the shells of fresh, tender mud crabs covered in a rich, tangy sauce is more of a culinary adventure than fine dining.
Laksa lovers will feel right at home when they sample the locals’ twist to this Chinese/Malay favourite.
There are sizzling satays, Indian curries, tonnes of noodle dishes and, for the more adventurous, local delicacies like barbecued stingray.
Singapore is where the flavours of Asia – and beyond – smash together to create foodie heaven.
