Hidden Gems - Singapore

Scoot offered super low fares ($320 RETURN) to Singapore, conveniently to coincide for the sensational F1 Night Race. It seemed like an opportunity too good to miss, so I grabbed a fare, hit Agoda for a cheap room and took to the skies for a weekend of indulgence. Given I normally travel with three kids in tow, this 48 hours of solitude was just what the doctor ordered. My flights meant I arrived Friday night, and left just after midnight on the Sunday (2am Monday to be precise), thus only needed 2 nights accommodation.

Singapore is a great destination for solo travellers, as it is safe, the people are chatty and there is so much to do, no matter what your interests. The F1 weekend has a plethora of additional activities - music festivals, pop up markets as well as the bars and restaurants going into overdrive.

Due to my budget, I stayed on Sentosa, getting a fabulous deal at the Amara Sanctuary Resort & Spa. The race track is on Marina Bay, so the hotels in that area were out of range for me. However, Singapore offers ease of transport like no other country I know, so proximity is never a problem.

First thing in the morning, I was off to the sensational iFly - book before hand, as it gets very busy. Allow about 2 and half hours for the whole experience. This is a must do in Singapore - it is fun for all members of the family (above 3). It's hard to describe the joy that you feel as you float in the air - a cross between thrill and elation, but the smiles of participants will give you an idea.

Next up, after some sensational Xiao dumplings at Din Tai Fung, there was time for a quick dip before heading off to the Flower Dome and a stroll through the marvellous Gardens by the Bay.


Having visited the Cloud Dome on a previous trip, that would be my tip if you can only afford to visit one. The flower dome, however, is pretty and peaceful, and above all, cool.

Then it was a quick train ride to the track - I won't dwell on the F1, but the Night Race has a party atmosphere and the track itself is beautiful, with views onto the Art & Science Museum and the lights of Marina Bay Sands. There's a lovely view of the Colonial district as the sun goes down. The trackside concerts and bars have a real festival atmosphere, the racing just part of the ticket fun.

After a leisurely laze by the pool in the morning, it was time to check out. Then it was off to visit my favourite little dress store in Chinatown, and stroll around Ann Siang Hill. One of the things I like about Singapore, is that you can be in the heart of an ethnic enclave and then there's a street with a completely different vibe (just like Hadji Lane in the Arab quarter). Ann Siang Hill has a peaceful ambience, compared to the bustle of Chinatown. With some very cool little bars, I regretted not being able to return once the sun went down.

[EDIT Now Closed]
After one of Bruno Menard's burgers at &Made, a funky little burger joint by the Michelin starred celebrity, with delicious lychee mojitos (goes better with a burger than a milkshake, I say!), it was time for a spot of shopping. I made my way to the Hidden Finds Markets, which were a pop up market on for the F1 weekend - but Singapore is a big fan of the pop up markets, so there are regularly pop up flea markets in quirky places. Worth a little investigation before you arrive.

I am not much of a fan of shopping, so as I entered the shopping centre and saw a chain food outlet, I was a little dismayed that I may have wasted precious time detouring to this 'market'. However, I proceed to the 16th floor of the offices above the shops, and came upon an empty office floor, that was now full of funky stalls, music blaring and tantalizing food smells. Vintage clothes, fashionable French goods, toys, sublime cakes and even a massage therapist. This little market had it all, even a party atmosphere! It was indicative of how I see Singapore. You can do the tourist trail, and never see beyond the 'shopping' or you can dive into a plethora of unusual and fun things on offer, you just need to dig a little deeper to find them.

[EDIT Very sadly now closed but check out Art Now in Raffles]
Next was off to the Pinacotheque de Paris taster exhibition, "The Art of Collecting, Masterpieces from the Pinacotheque de Paris". This museum will open in 2015, and a sample exhibition is on until the end of 2013. This is a must see if you get the chance - it's a small collection that covers 500 years of art. There are masterpieces by Tintoretto through to Warhol, but that's not what makes this great. The works have been hung as they would be in a house - not by date or style, but how they 'fit' with each other. You are implored by the curator to look with fresh eyes, and see the works 'talk' to one another. There are also cut away windows in the wall, so you can see a third work of art from the next room alter the order, depending where you stand. It's such a fresh take on great masters, and again, much like Singapore, embraces the old & historic with new vision.



After a lovely stroll down from Fort Canning Park, it was time to head trackside again, and then alas off to the airport for my sleepy flight home. I'm already planning a return for the 2014 F1 Night Race, but with an extra night to party, and an extra day to explore some more.

Travelling for an event is the best of both worlds - the fun of the event and the new city excitement. If it's in Singapore, so much the better! There's always something new to see, and it is a fun city, no matter what your interests.

Practicalities:

Amara Sanctuary Hotel http://sentosa.amarahotels.com/

iFly Singapore http://www.iflysingapore.com/main.html

Din Tai Fung http://www.dintaifung.com.sg/

Gardens by the Bay http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html

Pinacotheque de Paris, Singapore Alas now closed and gone for good. http://www.weekendnotes.com/pinacotheque-de-paris-singapore/

&Made http://andmade.sg/ - I think also closed and gone for good.

Market organisers of Hidden Finds Markets http://public-garden.com/upcoming_public_garden.php

Singapore F1 http://www.singaporegp.sg/

Related posts:
Pulau Ubin http://holidazeandhellidaze.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/its-singapore-but-not-as-we-know-it.html

Sentosa http://holidazeandhellidaze.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/sentosa-island-singapore-something-for.html

24 hours in Singapore http://holidazeandhellidaze.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/a-perfect-24-hours-in-singapore-but-im.html


General - Things to do in Singapore http://www.weekendnotes.com/singapore/

Linking with #SkyWatch and #GaleriaHimmelsblick- an old post because I'm booking my trip now - yay!