4. The MRT ( Mass Rapid Transport ) is Singapore s train system, running so frequently that it doesn

Singapore is a forest of skyscrapers but beneath the canopy of steel, concrete and glass, it s a zesty, cultural melting pot. Unlike other South-East Asian cities, it has little pollution, has ultra clean and efficient public transport, a low crime rate, almost no traffic jams and a minimum of grunge. It s South-East Asia for beginners, where the first official language is English. Or Singlish, as it s called locally.
A former British colony, the city island state of over 5 million residents also has strong Chinese, Indian and Malaysian cultural flavours. The climate is tropical and steamy. For a country that s only  716 sq km, Singapore has extensive ez rent acar green areas, including wondrous manmade gardens.
Sure, Singapore is infamous for extreme punishments against seemingly ez rent acar minor infractions, like selling chewing gum and plastering graffiti, and for harsh penalties like caning and mandatory capital punishment for cheating, murder, and rape. But otherwise, I think Singapore s reputation as sterile and dull is so last century. There s as many ciggie butts on the pavements in some streets as there are in any big city. So there!
After my travel buddy is unable to get away from work, I m travelling solo on this three-day visit, which I won in a lucky draw, thanks to FarEast Hospitality . I feel safe walking around day and night, because in Asia, much of life is experienced and lived vibrantly ez rent acar on the streets. Singapore is no exception. It s been a while since I ve been here. I plan nothing, and this is what happens.
1. Singaporeans are wholesome and friendly. I m walking down shopping s golden mile otherwise known as Orchard Road on the first morning, on my way to find breakfast, and people want to be extra friendly. Oh, all right. Huuug. Thanks, I m now ready for eggs and toast.
The Toast Box (ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn)  is where I eat breakfast each day. I know, that may sound dull, but traditional breakfast Singapore style is hard to beat. Priced under $S8. Quintessentially, it s soft-boiled eggs served with soya sauce, salt and pepper, white toast slathered with butter and brown sugar and cut into neat little squares, and strong, Robusta bean coffee.
2. Loaded ez rent acar with protein, caffeine and carbs, I head back outdoors where crowds are also loading up for a dose of retail ez rent acar therapy. Shopaholics of the world unite in Singapore for a good reason.  Singapore shopping hours are 10am-10pm daily .
Department stores include Japanese retail giant Takashimaya (taking up two blocks),  DFS Galleria (posh), Robinsons (mid-market), Isetan (more posh), Metro (budget shopping), Tangs  (lots of French fashion) and the almost never-ending  Millennia Walk . The malls are big. Really, really big. And really time consuming.
Let s not forget ez rent acar Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road, where every second store offers currency exchange ez rent acar including the 7 Eleven.  Lucky Plaza is a magnet for regional migrant workers and contains possibly the most interesting condom ez rent acar shop ever.
For alternative clothes shopping try  Haji Lane, reputed to be the narrowest ez rent acar in the city. Tucked away in the Malay-Arab quarter, ez rent acar this hip, streetwise shopping mini-mecca is somewhat like London’s Brick Lane. There s quality kebabs and Persian food to be found, and excellent fabric stores. I take the train, and arrive at sunset when the call to prayer resonates through the streets. The mosque is busy, and so are the restaurants.
4. The MRT ( Mass Rapid Transport ) is Singapore s train system, running so frequently that it doesn t matter if you miss one train, because another one will be along in a minute. It also runs from the airport into the city. Ticketing schemes are based on stored value smartcards to suit your needs – from standard one-time travel tickets to tourist concession passes. Getting a grip on public transport helps me feel orientated, so I ditch taxis and take trains everywhere.
5. I take the MRT out to Marina Bay, to visit  Gardens by the Bay . The outdoor gardens are open 5am-2am daily . The day I go it s pouring with rain, and the Skyway, where you can walk through the manmade Supertrees, is closed. ez rent acar I puddle around at ground level. Eleven of the Supertrees are embedded with environmentally sustainable functions. Some have photovoltaic cells on their canopies to harvest solar energy for lighting up the structures, while others are integrated with two large, ez rent acar glass-domed conservatories and serve as air exhausts. ez rent acar The cooled conservatory complex won the World Building of the Year at the World Architecture Festival 2012. The gardens aren t quite so enticing in the rain. Even the Dubai-esque Marina Bay Sands Hotel in the background is almost melting into the mist. The hotel boasts the world’s largest outdoor pool at an extreme height 150 metres long and 52 storeys up. And, news alert, the hotel has announced it will no longer serve shark fin soup. Conservationists ez rent acar are rejoicing, as am I.
6. The nearby Planet sculpture installation stands out, even in the rain. This is a 7-tonne white painted, bronze and stainless steel cast sleeping baby, which appears ez rent acar to float above the ground, and rotates gently. Created by sculptor Marc Quinn and modelled on his infant son, Lucas, it depicts ez rent acar our physical, cerebral and heavenly tussles with life.
7. The gargantuan shopping Marina Bay Sands shopping mall is next to the hotel, and I dry out and take refreshments at the  TWG Tea Salon and Boutique on the Bridge , positioned overlooking the Venetian-style canal floating through the middle. Gondola-style ez rent acar boats float up and down. The tea is very good, the food pricy, average.
8. A $S6 bowl of slurpy, spicy rice noodles at the Maxwell Road Hawker Centre , on the edge of Chinatown, is much more fun. A freshly-squeezed fruit juice will cost a couple more bucks. Singapore s cost of living is high, yet it s generously endowed with cheap outdoor ez rent acar food centres. The food court at the ION Orchard, called Food Republic , is set up like a small outside hawker centre with about 25 cuisine styles, and the prices ez rent acar are about the same, with this bowl of hand-cut noodles also $A6.
9. I do a lot of walking when I travel, but I m tempted to take a Pilates class at Pilates Bodyworks , owned by Alvin Giam, at 1 Finlayson Green, near the Raffles Place MRT station. Founded in 1999, Pilates Bodyworks is considered the best in South-East Asia. Alvin was a lawyer who injured himself playing sport over three decades ago, and turned to Pilates for rehabilitation.
ez rent acar 10. Instead, I go to lunch. Sorry Alvin, next time! Australian chef Luke Mangan has a restaurant, Salt Tapas and Bar , opposite the famed Raffles Hotel , and I meet Accor Hotels PR friend Gaynor Reid there. Then a  walk across the road to explore Raffles  is obligatory. The historic hotel retains its legendary majesty, although the floors of high-class boutiques are mournfully bereft of customers on this afternoon.
Hi Josie, Thanks for your comment. Yes, I m v disappointed it was raining too hard for the walk through the Supertrees. It s the highlight (!) of the gardens. ez rent acar I hope so, next time. Singapore is a splendid place to visit, and much safer than other Asian cities for a solo woman traveller.
Author, editor, website writer. Travel, food and culture ez rent acar are inseparable ez rent acar companions. I like a side order of the unexpected. Homelands: Australia, Greece, New Zealand. Books also rock my world. I believe in respectfully connecting with a place rather than zapping through. Reasonably bi-lingual. Enthusiastic, unrefined cook. Other women's journeys fascinate me. Welcome! Read More…
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