Singapore Stay-cation

What's better than a four-day long weekend?  Taking an extra day's leave and making it a five-day long weekend!  Add my visiting parents to the mix and you have a mini break filled with food, wine, laughing and exploring Singapore.  Sounds pretty ideal to me.

For a small city, Singapore has a lot to do if you're not afraid to get out and about.  Most people come to shop, but I'd venture that the malls are my least favourite aspect of living here.  Yes there are something like five Chanels and ten Louis Vuittons, but I would rather wrestle the heat and humidity than the crowded hallways of Ion.

If you're like me, here are some ideas from our Singapore Stay-cation:

Eat

Food is most certainly one of the best things about Singapore, from the simplest of hawker markets to the lofty heights of haute cuisine.

For breakfast try The Plain in Chinatown or Wild Honey in the Mandarin Gallery.  The Plain is a small noisy cafe run by a guy who lived in Melbourne for 15 years, so his coffee is some of the best Singapore has to offer.  The menu is small and simple, and they have dip dip eggs with vegemite soldiers!  Wild Honey is at the opposite end of the spectrum.  It's a decadent breakfast with a menu inspired by countries around the world.  Get there early (around 9am) or don't bother.  They don't take reservations and the wait can literally be hours.

Great sign for the antique store neighbouring The Plain

At any time of day, you can't go wrong with Din Tai Fung (reviewed here).  I rave constantly about this place because it's that good.  Mum and Dad loved it so much we went back again, not that I was complaining.  Don't miss the dumplings, the vegetarian delight and the egg fried rice... and the black steamed wontons.... and the hot and sour soup... in fact don't miss any of it!  Just make sure you go there hungry and while you wait for your table peek in at the chefs in their glass-walled kitchen for a display of the meticulous pursuit of dumpling-perfection.

Craving a mid-afternoon sweet treat?  Head to PS Cafe on Dempsey Hill and ask to sit out on the terrace.  Their cakes and slices are generously proportioned and delicious.  Nibble and sip away in a tropical colonial-style setting.

For dinner, wander through Little India to work up an appetite (or post-meal to ease a bulging belly).  We've started a tradition of taking our guests to the Banana Leaf restaurant (reviewed here) and snapping a photo of the first finger-filled bite.  There are quite a few now pinned up in our office.  The Banana Leaf has commercialised (ie almost 100% tourists) of late, so if that doesn't take your fancy you will have plenty of excellent options just a few doors up or down the street.

Mum and Dad will be added to our finger food collection

Don't miss the Lau Pa Sat hawker market near the CBD.  The mixed satay sets from Satay Stall 7 & 8 are the best (they all say "Best Satay" though...), and don't let the Tiger beer ladies refill your glasses - they try to force the remnants of your Tiger jug into your glasses so you buy another one from them, but you end up with mostly foam and a lot of mess due to their 'pour-quickly-and-from-a-height' technique.  If you purchase a pack of tissues early on from the old guys roaming around they'll stop approaching you - it's only $2.

Satay in the making - it's all in the wrist

For something special the teppanyaki restaurant atop the Pan Pacific (Keyaki) is a great interactive experience.  Try to nab a counter position right in front of the grill, although this isn't that ideal with a larger group.

This clever chap wrote upside down and back-to-front

See

Definitely take the time to visit the ArtScience Museum and wander around the Marina Bay area.  The ASM should be on everyone's list - they currently have a Dali and a van Gogh digital extravaganza which are both brilliant in completely different ways.





Around 80% of Singaporeans live in an HDB apartment (Housing Development Board).  So how can a government-subsidised housing block be on the 'must see' list?  When it's the Duxton Pinnacles, that's how.  You'll need an SMRT card to swipe for $5.  You can buy one at the 7-Eleven near the entrance (Blk 1G, Level 1).  Head up to the 50th floor skybridge for one of the best 360 degree views of Singapore.  I've heard people often use the skybridge as a 800m running track!  Don't wait too long to visit though, only 200 people per day are admitted.

Giant flag still up from National Day

Most public holidays the Istana (the President's pad) is open to the public.  Get up early to avoid the queue and wander around the beautiful grounds/golf course right on Orchard Road.  Our place backs on to the Istana which means we're practically bestie's with the pres... we often head around there for a cup of tea and a quick round of golf before work.

Only applies to those who can walk on water (or lily pads)

After so much eating you may want to strap on your walking shoes and head to Bukit Timah Hill, Singapore's highest point... at 163m.  Don't be deceived, you will sweat... a lot!  And don't feed the monkeys.

Other Ideas in Brief

• Check what's on at the Singapore National Museum - we saw an excellent photography exhibition there of 45 years of Abbas' work
• Cruise for electronic bargains at Sim Lim Square and haggle away to your heart's content.  Tip: the prices get cheaper the higher up the tower you go
• Get a foot massage after a hard day's wandering (recommend Healthy Step in Holland Village)
• Cruise Haji Lane for local designers (small sizes though) and funky jewellery
• Wander the quirky streets of Chinatown
• Play the worlds best courses whilst enjoying a beer at CityGolf (level 61, One Raffles Place) then pop up to Altitude for a drink at Singapore's highest bar - just don't wear jandals if you're a guy