• Home
  • Cocktails
  • Culture
    • Dance
    • Opera
    • Theatre
    • Outdoor
    • London Life
      • Foodie London
      • Visiting London – Five Must Do Sights
      • Visiting London – London Travel Tips
    • Balcony Gardening
  • Featured
    • Books
    • Home Delivery
    • Recipe Kits
    • Giveaways
  • Recipes
    • Meat
    • Soups
    • Lunch
    • Starters
    • Mains
    • Sides
    • Desserts
    • Cakes and Sweets
    • 5:2 Diet Recipes
    • Fish and Shellfish
    • Meat
    • Poultry
    • Vegetarian
  • Restaurants
    • Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia
    • Bermondsey, Borough and London Bridge
    • Chelsea
    • Camden
    • City of London
    • Clerkenwell
    • Covent Garden
    • Docklands
    • East London
    • Kings Cross
    • Knightsbridge
    • Kings Cross
    • Kensington
    • Marylebone
    • Mayfair
    • Oxford Circus
    • Oxford Circus
    • Paddington
    • St James
    • Soho
    • South Bank
    • South London
    • The Strand and Embankment
    • North London
    • Victoria and Pimlico
    • West London
    • Out of London
    • Miscellaneous
  • Travel UK
  • Travel Europe
    • Belgium
    • Croatia
    • Czech Republic
    • First Visit
      • Bulgaria
      • Netherlands
      • Poland
      • Romania
      • Slovenia
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Italy
      • Sicily
    • Ireland
    • Portugal
    • Spain
    • UK
  • Travel Other
    • Caribbean Travel
      • Antigua
      • Barbados
      • Grenada
      • St Lucia
    • Ecuador
    • Egypt
    • India
    • Qatar
    • Mexico
    • Oman
    • Rodrigues and Mauritius
    • Sri Lanka
    • USA

London Unattached - Luxury Mid-Life London Lifestyle

Luxury London Lifestyle for mid-life Metropolitans - food, travel, restaurant reviews - London Unattached

You are here: Home / Travel / Splendid Singapore – First Impressions

Splendid Singapore – First Impressions

August 19, 2016 by Fiona Maclean 14 Comments

Tweet
Pin
Share
Flip
Share

An Introduction to Singapore – Food and More:

My father, when I was just five years old, was posted to Borneo.  In those days, the 1960s, flights were much longer and getting home for the weekend would simply not have happened if we’d stayed in the UK.  So, the family were sent to Ipoh, Malaysia.  Too young to know the significance of the timing, I can just remember the journey, which took 3 days and 4 nights and involved 10 ;stops for refueling.  Mum travelled with the three childrean and I was the eldest; although it was my Father who was decorated for active service,  I suspect she was just as deserving of a medal.  Our point of arrival was Singapore, where we met my Dad and spent just one night in a large colonial hotel.  Was it Raffles?  I honestly don’t know and both my parents are no longer around to ask.  I remember some of the detail – a fan in the ceiling, a fairy-princess net over the bed (rather un-prosaically, for mosquitoes) and a bolster at the bottom of the bed.  I don’t remember much else of Singapore – we walked around and I seem to remember seeing monkeys in a park and a snakeskin on the pavement.  But, we really didn’t stay for long.

Marina Bay Sands

The Singapore I remember from my childhood was pre-independence.  On 9th August 1965 the country became independent (from Malaysia) as the Republic of Singapore.  What has happened in the last 51 years is astonishing.  Of course, I was fascinated to be able to see some of the change at first hand on a far-to-short visit to Singapore, ostensibly for the Food Festival.

I’ll be writing in more detail about the food and about the hotel where we stayed.  This short piece is just an introduction to the canvas on which those experiences happened.  In between all the eating (and there was a LOT of food), we were given the opportunity to explore the City, with a guide.  A perfect way to learn more about a unique country which has managed to create a strong and prosperous community against all the odds.

Singapore Skyline

The first thing to understand is that Singapore is really very small.  50km from East to West and 27km from North to South.  It’s quite a lot larger than it was pre-independence though – over the last 50 years, the country has grown by around 23% thanks to land reclamation.  It’s still less than half the size of London though.  But, it is a country where a lot of careful planning has gone into making a pleasant and comfortable environment for all.

Singapore Skyline

Green Singapore was one of the initiatives of the first prime minister of Singapore – right back as far as 1968.  That includes Tree Planting week, during the first week in November at the start of the monsoon season to ensure the young trees grow well.  Apparently over 2 million new trees have been planted in the last 40 years.  Gardens by the Bay, planted across three gardens on over 101 hectares of reclaimed land, is also part of the Green Singapore initiative.  I have to admit to being a little sceptical before I went.  It sounded unlikely – something like a contemporary take on Kew Gardens.  But the reality – two massive greenhouses with all sorts of fascinating plants, a network of waterfront gardens and then, the Garden Rhapsody event, a light and sound show which takes place every night in the Supertree Grove was truly memorable (and free!).  The Supertrees themselves are worth mentioning, massive tree-like structures which are actually vertical gardens with a whole range of functions designed to mimic the benefits of real trees – they have photovoltaic cells, they collect rainwater for irrigating the rest of the garden and they are an integral part of the cooling system of the conservatories.

Singapore Supertrees 2

Singapore has deliberately fostered a diverse, cosmopolitan ethnic population.  Immigration controls are in place as much to maintain a balance between the dominant Chinese population, Malaysians, Indians and others.  We spent some time wandering through Singapore’s Chinatown, Little India and Joo Chiat, the Peranakan part of Singapore.  I was fascinated to learn that the term Peranakan refers to people descended from marriages between Chinese or Indian men and local Malay women. Joo ChiatEach part of the City had its own distinctive cultural style and obviously, its own cuisine.  We enjoyed some of the dishes at the Tekka Centre on the edge of Little India, and after a walking tour through Joo Chiat, tried some of the Nonya dishes.  The Michelin Guide has just launched its first ever guide to dining in Singapore and to everyone’s surprise, there are two hawker stalls in the list.  We walked past one, in Chinatown, and the queues were already around the block at 11am, probably a 2 hour wait for the first ever Michelin starred chicken and rice.Singapore Michelin Star Street Hawker

You might expect somewhere like Singapore to have a housing problem.  There’s definitely a shortage of land and the population density is similar to London, but with the added issue that the population density is for the whole country (albeit one that’s half the size of London).  But, the government sponsored HDB programme means that home ownership is realistic for almost all citizens of Singapore.  80% of the country live in HDB apartments, which are sold on 99 year leases.Singapore HBO  We were invited into one, owned by Jeffrey Yeo, who is an enthusiastic cook and who runs a supper club for his friends.  And, we also went up to the top of  one of the better known HDB towers, Pinnacle at Duxton, an award-winning 50-storey residential development in Singapore’s city centre, next to the business district.  There, at the very top, we enjoyed the fabulous views across Singapore and at least in my case, were amazed by the cleanliness, the range of facilities (there were comfy seating areas, a jogging track and even a climbing wall on the roof garden – a kind of rather special sky park for the residents.Rooftops of Singapore

Finally, Singapore is both a country which is evolving.  One which is inherently proud of its heritage and yet continually striving to improve.  With very little in the way of natural resources, the country has needed to focus on service industries – banking and shipping for example.  The current, extremely successful docks are due to move to a newly reclaimed site to make way for a new resort.  No doubt the new docks will offer improved facilities while the area currently used for that purpose will help build on the evolving resort business.The port of SingaporeSingapore is focussed on building a new tourist business with Resorts World Sentosa (home to the three Michelin starred Restaurant Joel Robuchon) and Marina Bay Sands (with a SkyPark and stunning infinity pool) already open. It’s obvious that the restaurant scene in Singapore depends partly on the expat employees of the banking industry and partly on the evolving tourist business.  And, the combination of service industries is enviable.

Hotel Vagabond bar 2 Singapore

I went to Singapore somewhat apprehensively.  I’d expected more of a concrete jungle and less of traditional Singapore to be left.  The reality seemed so much better and a well-balanced mixture of old and new. Perhaps because we stayed in one of the historic districts, in the Vagabond Hotel, a charming boutique hotel built from a cluster of heritage houses, perhaps because we visited Raffles or perhaps because for the most part modern Singapore was visually stunning as well as highly functional.  My overriding impression was that this is a country where the citizens of Singapore come first.  Somewhere careful planning has preserved the old yet improved quality of life for everyone with the new.  And amazingly, somewhere that has happened in just fifty years.

The Courtyard, Raffles

 

FAQs

For more information about Singapore check the Singapore Tourism Board Site
We flew direct from London Heathrow to Singapore with Singapore Airlines
We stayed at Hotel Vagabond Singapore

Thinking of travelling to Singapore?  Why not pin this post for later!

splendid-singapore

Filed Under: Singapore, Travel Tagged With: Asian, Singapore

About Fiona Maclean

London based freelance writer and marketing consultant. I edit London-Unattached.com and write for a number of other publications. With a music degree and a background in marketing across many sectors, my passions include all types of music, food, restaurants, wine and travel

Comments

  1. Fiona jk42 says

    November 27, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    What a strange coincidence. We have the same first name, and my father was also posted to Borneo in the early 1960s. He flew by DC10, which took a long time, so my mother, sister & I went to Singapore on the P&O SS Cathay, which had only 200 passengers or so, mostly expats such as ourselves as well as a few Asian people returning from shopping trips in Europe. Our trip to Singapore took over a month, going through the Suez Canal and stopping in Egypt, Djibouti, Aden, Pakistan, India, Ceylon and Malaya. We then transferred to another boat for the trip to Jessleton (now Kota Kinabalu). We were later sent to Singapore when trouble broke out in Indonesia as there were fears it might spread to Borneo. I’ve not been back since we left in 1966 as I’m always afraid that it will not be as nice as I remember, but maybe I should give it a try. It would be interesting to see if some of the places I remember as still there.

    Reply
  2. Suze - Luxury Columnist says

    August 22, 2016 at 10:35 pm

    It’s great that you got to return and see how Singapore has changed. The Supertrees look really amazing

    Reply
  3. anto says

    August 22, 2016 at 9:47 pm

    Ahh we are about to book a flight to Thailand via Singapore. Although we usually fly SQ when going in that direction, we never made it to the city and have been doubting if we should this time. We’ll give it another thought for sure 🙂

    Reply
  4. Shane says

    August 22, 2016 at 4:22 pm

    People told me Singapore would be expensive to visit but there was so much exploring, free attractions and local street food I got by just fine. Love the gardens!

    Reply
  5. Global Brunch says

    August 22, 2016 at 9:17 am

    It must have been great to see Singapore again after such a long time. Even though it must have felt like a completely different place.

    Reply
  6. Fiona Maclean says

    August 21, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    the most fascinating are the hawker stalls with michelin stars. I just need to go back!

    Reply
  7. Lori says

    August 21, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    It looks like Singapore is an amazing surprise with a lot to offer to any visitor. There are many attractions there – for almost any taste and preference – so the fun/interesting part is guaranteed! Lovely photos!

    Reply
  8. Sia says

    August 21, 2016 at 11:47 am

    Singapore is such an interesting place I would love to visit! Would be curious to try the food and especially the street food. Didn’t know there are so many differences in the different areas.

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      August 21, 2016 at 3:58 pm

      I’ll be writing more about the food in my next post

      Reply
  9. anna says

    August 21, 2016 at 11:44 am

    Love Singapore. Such a clean and efficient city. Definitely one of the most progressive cities in Asia!

    Reply
  10. Marlene Marques says

    August 21, 2016 at 12:55 am

    The only time I’ve been to Singapore was a in-between flights stop-over. I got to go into the city but I feel that there was a lot I didn’t see. Loved your post and all the information.

    Reply
  11. Mansoureh says

    August 20, 2016 at 1:50 pm

    I have heard so much about the country. when I was in Thailand I wanted to visit it, but postponed it. I wish I didn’t. Hopefully will go there soon.

    Reply
  12. Cory Lee says

    August 20, 2016 at 10:52 am

    Wow, Singapore looks amazing!! I’ve been wanting to visit for quite a while now and after reading this, now even more so. 🙂

    Reply
    • Fiona Maclean says

      August 20, 2016 at 11:56 am

      I found it fascinating. The modern parts are really stunning and I loved the traditional areas of the city too. AND there’s are a pair of giant pandas in the zoo. Not that I’m in any way swayed by that;)

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Follow Us

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • StumbleUpon
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

About London-Unattached

  • About Fiona Maclean
    • Writing for Other Publications
  • Enquiries/PR
  • Links to Other Sites
  • London Unattached Contributors
  • London Unattached Privacy Policy
  • Media Pack
  • Newsletter
  • Travel Bloggers Influencer Network

Recently Published

  • Japanified – the latest in Japanese and Latin American fusion food
  • Vegan Savvy is the perfect book for Veganuary
  • Mojito Mocktail – a Classic Cocktail with a Halo
Looking for more recipes? Check out my new site, The Frugal Flexitarian, for easy, cost effective recipes to enjoy at home.
Find My 5:2 Diet Recipes quickly and easily

London Unattached Newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter here. We promise not to spam - and you can unsubscribe at any time

Search London Unattached


Find Us

blogl
VuelioTop10Badge2020

Copyright © 2021 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in