Singapore - Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay used to be the centre of commerce in Singapore. Lying at the mouth of Singapore River,the shophouses and godowns served the shipping trade between Asia and Europe. You can imagine that Sir Stamford Raffles and his officers once roamed these streets to keep things in order. 

Today, Clarke Quay has been transformed into a tourist magnet, with dining, shopping and entertainment venues fitted into the converted warehouses and shophouses. A street canopy designed by London Architect Will Alsop provides shelter from the tropical sun and rain. Specially designed low speed fans in the shape of  "Whale-tails" introduce artificial breeze into the covered streets. The canopies are called "Angels" - the umbrella-like structures are constructed out of steel frame and covered with high-tech plastic ETFE. 

Some of the most interesting dining establishments in Singapore can be found here - e.g.  The Clinic - a fine-dining restaurant and pub fitted out as an operating theatre, Restaurant Madame - part of the IndoChine group of restaurants, Coriander Leaf - a Pan-Asian fusion food hub, and Tomo Izakaya where the seafood is flown in straight from Tokyo's Tsukiji Market.

The canopies do function as intended, and walking in the streets even under the hot tropical heat is quite pleasant.

There are more covered terraces next to the River. The circular sun-tents are supposed to evoke Chinese lanterns, but to me they look more like those huge magnets they use in a scrap-metal yard. A bit scary to sit under these !

Singapore - Botanic Gardens

Another green oasis worth a visit in Singapore is the Botanic Gardens. Located just a stone's throw away from Orchard Road, it is easily accessible. The garden is open from 5.00 a.m. to 12.00 mid night, so very convenient.

The Garden covers an area of around 52 hectares. It is huge for the land-scarce island of Singapore. There are many attractions including 3 lakes, an orchidarium, a mini-rainforest,  a ginger garden, etc. 

If you don't have much time, head to the entrance at Holland Road. Take a quick walk around the Swan Lake, then head back to the Green Pavilion for a nice cold drink. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours and get some much needed exercise.

If you are into nature photography, the Garden provide great photo-opps.

Singapore - Crowne Plaza at Terminal 3

Crowne Plaza at Terminal 3 is one of the latest designer hotels to open in Singapore. Designed by white-hot Singapore architecture firm WOHA, it features an iconic white twisted metal screen on the facade. Externally it is basically a rectangular box dressed-up by the metal screen. When seen close-up, the screen takes on the shape of little flowers. 

The interior is done in the currently popular spa-chic style, with very dark lighting and small repetitive decorative elements scaled up to cover whole walls and features. While most of the ideas can be seen in trendy design magazines, overall the execution was quite well done. It is definitely one of the more interesting hotels in Singapore.

The hotel as seen from skytrain from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3.

The twisted metal screen.

The entrance to the hotel from Terminal 3.

The lobby and atrium spaces.

The coffee house. Looks interesting with the repetitive retro tile design on the screen and walls behind. 

Singapore Zoological Garden

Travel In Songapore, Singapore Zoological Garden

In its lush jungle setting, Singapore’s renowned ‘open’ zoo is a haven for both animals and visitors. More than 2,000 creatures are housed in landscaped enclosures, with rock walls and streams replacing cages. Special attractions include Children’s World, where kids can interact with animals and enjoy excellent playgrounds, the six island Primate Kingdom, the sealion and penguin gallery, the air-conditioned polar bear exhibit and a miniature railway. Feeding shows take place throughout the day; favourites include the primates, reptiles, elephants and sealions. Among the zoo’s many endangered species is the world's largest colony of orangutans, with whom you can enjoy breakfast or afternoon tea if you book in advance through your hotel.

Singapore Attractions Jurong Bird Park

Jurong Bird Park

Southeast Asia's largest bird park Jurong BirdPark is home to over 8,000 birds of 600 species from all over the world. Highlights include the world's largest collection of Southeast Asian Hornbills and South American Toucans, and the world's second largest penguin exhibit. Daily shows include Breakfast with the Birds (9am- 11am), Birds 0f Prey, Penguin Feeding Time and the JBP All Stars Birdshow. Allow half a day to visit the main attractions.

Singapore Tour

Singapore is the most fascinating country in South east Asia which offers great sights and attractions of Singapore. It has all the ingredients for a perfect holiday. While in Singapore, take a tour to Sentosa Island, view the giant Merlion in Sentosa to know about the rich history of Singapore. The city has an array of tour destinations such as Chinatown, Orchard Road, Parliament House, Raffles Hotel, Singapore River, Supreme Court and City Hall and lots more alongwith 63 small islands within its territorial waters.

A tour to Singapore also showcases an interesting blend of traditional Chinese, Malay and Hindu cultures that have established themselves on this wonderland. It offers visitors an extensive range of attractions from cultural, natural to culinary delights. Other tour excursions in Singapore include the Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park, which is the largest Bird Park in Asia.

Singapore Sightseeing
A multi-cultural destination with a rough history, Singapore has much more to offer than shopping and skyscrapers. In Singapore, you will find a lot more than a globalization such as the beautiful temples, vibrant markets, natural beaches, lush green forests, colorful festivals, dazzling nightlife and exquisite cuisine which would probably leave you wishing more on a vacation tour to Singapore.

City Day Sightseeing Tour
It is always an excellent idea to take an escorted full day sightseeing tour to Singapore. It will give you an excellent overview of the city and where the main tourist icons are located. Comfortable footwear and clothing is essential while exploring the city. The following places are must to visit on a day tour:
Bird Park
Botanic Gardens
Chinese Gardens
Catch Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to get an overview of the island.
National Orchid Centre
Sentosa Island
Zoo
Night Sightseeing Tour
Grab the chance to take the family on a Singapore Zoo Night Safari Tour through the jungle. There you will spot nocturnal animals in their natural habitat, from fierce predators to timid forest dwellers. Then take the plunge to follow a walking trail with your guide to see the animals at closer quarters. At the Singapore Zoo there is also the option to enjoy dinner at the Ulu Ulu Safari. Restaurant.

Excursions
The tourists can also visit Malaysia, which is just in north of Singapore. Across the border from Singapore is Johor Bahru, the visitors can halt andshop there. Only a six hour bus ride from Singapore is Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is home to one of the world`s tallest buildings, the Petronas tower. They are a magnificent work of art. Only an hour ferry ride away from Singapore is Bintan. Bintan is part of Indonesia and is a beach resort. During the excursion, you can also visit Bali from Singapore which is very near to the city and also part of Indonesia.

Singapore at Night

I came accross some cool night scenes in Singapore. Didn't have my SLR with me, so this was the best I could do.

Canele Singapore

I was in Singapore recently for a conference, and took the opportunity to explore the culinary scene. Canele is one of the new crop of outlets where dessert is the star. This one is located in the basement of Raffles City. They also serve other courses, but you go there mainly for the confections. I tried the chocolate macaroons and hazelnet praline macaroons. They were delicous.

There were many other sweet temptations !

Luxury Orchard Road Singapore

Today, Orchard Road is brimming with upscale eateries, swanky Singapore hotels, and luxurious shopping malls from one end all the way to the other with no respite. Some of the stores in Singapore are older, more unique shops along Orchard Road, or areas that barely escaped demolition as with the ones near Emerald Hill. This ultra famous and favored shopping hub is situated among a number of ritzy Singapore hotels like the Four Seasons, the Shangri-La, and the Mandarin, and for a very good reason! There are plenty of visitors who skip the sights and hit the shopping circuit with fervor and relentlessness.

Centrepoint is by far the best-known mall for retails shops in Singapore and also the largest. The many stores inside, including celebrated Robinsons & Co, offer something for everyone. Electronics, clothing, fine arts, antiques, books, jewelry, and much more serve as some of the most popular items up for grabs. Fast food and a nice array of restaurants offer places to eat and ponder over your new acquisitions. Perhaps the second most favored is Tanglin Shopping Center along Orchard Road. Carpet shops are a big draw and feature beautiful large and smaller handmade rugs from Afghanistan, Persia, and Pakistan. Along with specialty carpets there is a wide assortment of tailors to choose from. Antique prints and maps along with special Japanese pearls are other favorite items.

On Orchard Road Singapore malls also include The Hereen and Far East Plaza. The Hereen offers some of the best dining of all the shopping malls including sumptuous Thai fare, Japanese food, Peranakan delights, and even Swiss cuisine. Many quirky, off-the-wall items, and unusual finds are in store as well as vintage and street clothing, accessories and many other fashion finds. A medley of fashion, jewels, music, electronics, and more all with a unique twist are up for grabs at Far East Plaza. Both expats and locals favor Far East Plaza for unrivaled choices and prices.