Arm in arm with my girlfriends, I made my way to the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Our heels click-clacked in sync and our shimmery dresses mirrored the opulence of our hotel. As we raised a toast under a sky extravagant with laser lights, we knew that we had chosen the perfect place to celebrate my friend Neha's bachelorette. The infinity pool melted into the Singapore river which was calm, yet vivacious. In the distance, the city’s megastructures shone brightly, welcoming us to our adventure.
Neha and Divya had been my friends since college. Together, we spent many weekends exploring the hill stations and beaches of India and our love for travel had strengthened our bond over the years. Life continued to take us on different paths but five years later, we were finally together in the Lion City, ready to celebrate Neha’s new beginnings.
Day 1
Gardens by the Bay
Ideal for us young girls, who are eager to pack a variety of experiences in one trip, Singapore offers a melange of cultures and activities. From bustling markets where one can enjoy rich culinary experiences to islands where you can immerse in adventures, the country has got it all.
We kicked off our Singapore saga with an early morning visit to Gardens by the Bay. As we walked along the OCBC Skyway, it was difficult to draw our attention away from the humongous supertrees that protruded high into the sky. Wrapped in purple steel and plants, these martian structures perfectly encapsulated the pulse of Singapore– an island city where man-made, futuristic designs offer the chance to experience the wonder of nature.
We visited the flower dome where a thousand unique varieties of flowers smiled at us. There was more colour and beauty here than the three of us had ever seen, combined!
The Cloud Forest, which is hailed for being the world’s biggest contemporary greenhouse in the world, took my breath away and the thundering sound of the world’s tallest indoor waterfall greeted us. I was surprised to see how perfectly the Cloud Walk recreated the ambience of a forest. At Gardens by the Bay, we had our heads in the clouds every step of the way.
Chinatown
After a marvellous morning, we headed to Chinatown for lunch, but before we tucked in oriental delicacies, we decided to satiate our hunger for shiny, new things! So off we went to Chinatown Street Market, a bustling street glorious with swaying paper lanterns and traditional Chinese architecture.
It was surprising to see that this cultural hotspot blossomed under the aegis of modern skyscrapers. We shopped at Cio Chinatown Point and Yue Hwa where we collected vintage arts and crafts in addition to shoes and cosmetics at extremely reasonable prices.
The Maxwell Road Hawker Food Center, one of Singapore’s oldest hawker centres, was our next pit-stop. Here, we enjoyed authentic Singaporean dishes – tian tian hainanese chicken rice, juicy fried guotie (potstickers) and crispy wonton noodles. The food here was an exquisite blend of Singaporean and Cantonese flavours that we often went back for during our trip.
Clarke Quay
As the sun started to set, we headed towards our next destination, Clarke Quay, a thriving river-side arena that boasts of the best pubs, clubs and bars in the city. While the day brings the opportunity to savour Singapore’s many attractions, it was the nights that were truly scintillating. We chose to spend our evening at Crazy Elephant, a cosy pub where tucked in a bubble of alcohol and the excited murmur of tourists, we grooved to live music and recounted our hilarious college stories. A post-midnight, leisurely walk along Clarke Quay where we didn’t have to look over our shoulders every now and then, was the perfect end to our first day.
Day 2: Sentosa Island
S.E.A Aquarium
Day two of our trip was dedicated to pampering the child in us. The bride-to-be had a very specific demand – to experience Shark Encounter at S.E.A Aquarium. While this experience is as thrilling as it sounds, it isn’t as dangerous as you would typically imagine it to be. We bought tickets to the Adventure Cove Waterpark and were ready to explore the mightiest of species by noon.
Floating safely in a transparent, acrylic enclosure, we were surrounded by the most feared hammerheads, silvertip and sandbar sharks. Yet again, I was amazed at how we had the adventure of a lifetime aided by top-notch safety guidelines.
Feng Shui Inn
Next, Divya and I had booked a surprise meal at one of Resorts World Sentosa’s most luxurious gourmet restaurants, Feng Shui Inn. Here, we relished Cantonese dishes under the culinary expertise of Executive Chef, Li Kwok Kwong. Each plate that we ordered was ethereal – not only to the eyes but also to the taste buds. We feasted on crispy roast chicken with garlic crisps, baked Campung Chicken with Chinese Hua Tiao wine. For dessert, we chose the chilled mango sago with peach gum, pomelo and Thai coconut ice cream. After this dainty yet hearty meal, our palate was singing a happy song!
Siloso Beach
Satiated with the sumptuous experience, we sauntered along Siloso Beach. The wrath of the afternoon sun had softened and it was now plump like a freshly peeled orange. As we lounged in our bikinis, enjoying refreshing martinis, the gentle waves and gritty sand felt so real! It was hard to imagine that this beautiful beach was a man-made marvel.
1-Altitude
We bid adieu to our island life in Sentosa with a heavy heart but when we entered the plush 1-Altitude, Singapore’s highest rooftop bar, we happily embraced city life yet again. The Alt Cafe and Bar was fringed with palm trees on one side and on the other, it opened up to a starlit sky that was a match for Singapore’s glittering skyline. The sprawling city, the Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer stood proudly in front of us displaying their might. The 5-course tasting menu and draught beers at Altitude-1 were an ode to the panoramic view in front of us.
Day 3
My Awesome Cafe
By day 3, our last day in Singapore, I was positively overwhelmed with the rewarding experiences I had had in such a short time. While on the hunt for a memorable breakfast, we ended up at My Awesome Cafe, a little nook that stood true to its name. The unfinished concrete walls, the vintage dinnerware and the thrifted furniture of this cute cafe perfectly juxtaposed its contemporary menu. We had a wholesome charcuterie plate, teeming with different types of dips, cheese, sandwiches, pickles, olives and fruits. Coupled with a hot cup of cappuccino, this gave us the boost that we needed to spend our last day in Singapore in high spirits.
Orchard Road
The next point on our itinerary was Orchard Road, which was flanked by massive shopping malls. Inside the ION Orchard, the fragrance of expensive clothes and perfumes assailed our senses. Featuring a huge variety of the world’s top brands, this seemed the ideal spot for pre-wedding shopping. This became a one-stop shop where we bought standout items for Neha’s trousseau – shoes from Aldo, a bag from Bottega Veneta, perfume from Bvlgari along with a skincare range from Kiehl’s.
Ann Siang Hill and Club Street, Chinatown
To celebrate our last night in Singapore, we went to Chinatown and were taken aback by how different it looked in comparison to our first visit there. As night descended, the colourful Chinatown had transformed into an open air nightclub of sorts. We saw outdoor eateries and pubs teeming with tourists and locals alike. The energy was infectious and yet, there was a palpable sense of calm all around. During our last few hours in the city, we hopped from an izakaya-inspired Japanese Gastropub, 5 IZY (where we feasted on yummy chicken Karaage) to 6 Drinks and Co., where alcohol seemed to flow uninhibited.
I was in the world’s most effervescent city and was surrounded by my two best friends and their laughter. This precious moment hung gently in front of me, I neatly folded it and put it in between the pages of my diary. Even today, just thinking of the time I spent in Singapore invigorates me and I can vividly visualise each little detail. Life goes on and although the three of us are now in different parts of the world, memories of our magical Singapore trip are safely ensconced in a very special place in our hearts.
