Singapore

Looking up at the magnificent iconic building, dominating the sky stands the architectural wonder, Marina Bay Sands.
We decided to discover how the other half live by checking into the magnificent hotel in Bayfont for just one night of luxury. You can't miss it, 3 towers standing proudly, 57 floors above sea level, with lasers beaming off of the nautical top, dancing over Singapore city. The hotel is particularly famous for having the world's largest rooftop infinity pool that over looks the city's skyline.

From early morning, many people were lounging around the infinity pool in fleecy white dressing gowns, enjoying the morning sun and nibbling on fresh little pastries for breakfast. It really was bliss. They even had a separate part of the pool for children and families. There were hot tubs that overlooked the city which were particularly enjoyable when accompanied with sipping cocktails out of coconuts or indulging in champagne while the bubbles massage your skin. In order to take a dip in the pool you do need to be a guest staying at the hotel but you don't have to be a guest to go to the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck to see the dazzling city lights from the top.

Marina Bay Sands has it's own shops, restaurants, spas and rooftop bars. It wasn't ideal on our backpacking budget, everything was extremely expensive hence the titled pun 'Stingapore'. One you've sold your kidney on the black market, you soon get over the Singaporean prices and splash out to make the most of the experience, because YOLO. Don't expect to pay anything less than S$469.00 for a Deluxe Room for just 1 night. eeek! The hotel also had it's own casino (of course), remember to bring your passport to enter the casino as Singaporean nationals are not allowed to gamble in their own country. Also be sure not to hop onto a fruit machine that has a packet of pocket tissues on the side with a card in the slot, some crazy old lady might come and yell at you for jumping in her grave. Oops!

Kidneys and debt aside, the view from our balcony was so impressive. It overlooked the Supertree Grove in the Gardens by the Bay, which had 18 multi-coloured glowing supertrees standing 25-50 meters high in the sky. Supertree Grove is really inspiring for conservation and is free to enter and look around. If you wanted to walk up in the trees on the OCBC Skyway; a 128 metre long aerial walkway, you can get a bird's eye view of the gardens below. It's a perfect attraction and opportunity to watch the sunset, take unforgettable photographs and feel at one with nature. I was in awe of the Supertrees, not just for their futuristic beauty but for their environmentally sustainable functions encapsulated inside which store solar energy!
At night time, they have the captivating Garden Rhapsody light and sound shows that is really worth watching. The trees light up the sky by glowing vivid colours which is really sensual and suitable for all ages. The show actually made me feel quite emotional when I was watching it.

You can also visit other attractions at the Gardens by the Bay such as the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest. It's a wonderful day out for all ages, where it feels like you're stepping into other realms when you enter the gardens. You can spend hours roaming through the tremendous tropical conservatories with extraordinary flowers and Asian gazebos which sweep across the Flower Dome. You can then feel like you're on top of a misty cloud nine, strolling around the mountain on the skyway in the Cloud Forest, overlooking the vegetation and cascading waterfalls.

The next day I visited the Merlion statue, the iconic symbol of Singapore, when it was undergoing construction. What I did spot first was it's little brother, a smaller mer-cub sitting just behind the actual famous fountain. Having a blonde moment, I photographed it and thought to myself that it was a bit of a disappointment as I assumed it would be a lot bigger. It turns out that the actual half fish / half lion masterpiece was hiding behind construction boards 10 feet behind and was a lot more magnificent than the one all of the tourists were having selfies with. In the distance you can see Marina Bay Sands across the water which left me with a warm fuzzy feeling, knowing that I had swam in the infinity pool from the very top of one of the world's most famous hotels on the other side of the globe from my home. There, at night time, Marina Bay Sands has a theatrical waterfront light and water show which is really moving and worth seeing.

If you're in Singapore you can also visit the infamous Raffles hotel. The impressive, luxurious, white building well-known for a place of romance is a must see. Even if you just go for a cheeky drink at Long Bar, an archaic bar renowned for it's Singapore Sling and littering of peanut shells all over the floor. It's the only place in Singapore that is legal to litter! It is a fab way to spend an evening if you enjoy sipping on notorious pink cocktails, listening to live music and crunching your way around the two-storey bar, but it's not cheap!

The nightlife in Singapore was fantastic, but costly. Spending 5 days in Singapore is impossible without being a bit over-generous with your backpacking budget. The riverside Clarke Quay and Boat Quay are where the party's at. Filled with restaurants, bars and clubs, competing for your custom with loud music and buckets of beers, it's such a lively and fun atmosphere. We met up with two of Crystal's friends who were here for business. It was nice to meet new people and be in a bit of a social crowd.

One of the things I loved about Singapore was its unique waterfalls and waterways you'd find in random places such as this shopping centre!

Singapore, I loved you.