BigWorldAndSmallWorld Blog

When I think about Singapore, I will for sure think about the Jewel, the largest indoor water fall at Changi Airport and Merlion Park. They are Singapore’s icons. I was lucky to see them firsthand when I attended ITB Asia travel trade show just a week ago. I also went to Haji Lane where colorful Arabic style shops and a mosque are located. I also had the pleasure walking around the beautiful Botanic Garden for 1.5 hours in the morning and saw a scary creature walking on the road.

One of my favorites is Gardens by the Bay and the huge SkyTree. The view there was awesome. I also liked Clarke Quay, a colorful river side along Singapore River with high-end shops and restaurants.

I stayed at a hotel in city center. However it was just a street away from Chinatown. This way I got to enjoy many delicious foods at a few hawker centers on a low budget. This worked out really well for me. If you like food, you will for sure like Singapore.

At the travel trade show, I had a good time walking around the exhibition floors and listening to some industry talks. I also met some wonderful local tour operators and even took a picture with very tall Kazakhstan men in costumes. The conference was held at the famous Marina Sands Bay Convention Center. Of course I had a quick glance of the fancy Marina Sands Bay shopping center; it even has boat rides in the middle of the shops like Venus.

Last but not the least is how I get around Singapore? I bought a 3-day tourist pass which allowed me unlimited rides on public transportations such as MRT and bus. MRT was easy ride because it was clearly marked and announced at each station in English. However bus was not that easy because there was no announcement nor had any electronic signs to look at on some of the buses. Luckily I did my homework before hand, after I booked the hotel I know where I stay, I looked on Google map for how to get to the place I wanted to go from my hotel. Google map is good, it tells how many stops you will ride on MRT or bus and how far you will walk to your destination in distance and minutes. It even tells if it is by MRT at which station to get on or off and exit at which exit, so convenient!