10/7: Our Walking Tour of Singapore

Since I’m SO far behind on the blog posts, this one about our day in Singapore will be much shorter; more of a photo essay walking tour. 

We didn’t anticipate on seeing Singapore when planning the trip months and months ago. It was only included as it was the cheapest way to get from Indonesia to Vietnam. Funny how these things happen as we just loved our 2 days in the small country nestled at the bottom of Malaysia. But, I got ahead of myself again…

Had to be up by 4 to get our very early flight but, looking on the bright side, it meant that we’d have almost two full days discovering Singapore. 

Rather different logos on our Air Asia flight from Jogja, Indonesia to Singapore! We didn't even see any airline logo til we walked out to the tarmac and confirmed it was indeed Air Asia.

The advisory I received from Booking.com about our visit to Singapore: Litter-free, zero graffiti and absolutely no chewing gum in public: strict laws ensure that Singapore’s streets are beyond clean. 

Sounded a little alarming as did the notice on back of the immigration card, we thought!

Singapore is divided into several areas: Little India and adjacent Kampong Glam, 2 ethnic enclaves that provide some of the best insights into Singapore’s Indian and Malay communities; Chinatown; and the Colonial Core and Fort Canning, all of which we wanted to see.

After checking into our hotel located on Singapore’s main street called Serangoon in Little India, we set out to explore some of the city starting with Little India itself, the spiritual heart and commercial center of the local Indian community.

Photos of Sri Sriniivasa Perumal Temple located 2 minutes from our hotel:

The temple was dedicated to Vishnu in 1855 but the striking tower was added in 1966 at a cost of $300,000.

Street Shots of Little India:

Slew of gold shops one after another in Little India just like in Bangkok and Amman, Darlene. Steven and I joked we needed to find time to stop and shop in one of them!

Strolled through the small arcade in Little India; what a riot of color everywhere and intriguing scents.

After wandering through the back streets of Little India, we entered Kampong Glam, the focal point of Muslim life and once the seat of Malay royalty.

Photos of Masjid (Mosque) Abdul in Kampong Glam:

Photos of Sultan Mosque:

The center of Kampong Glam and the main Islamic place of worship for the city’s Muslim community, is the mammoth Sultan Mosque which dominates the skyline with its golden dome and 4 corner minarets. Interestingly it was designed by an Irishman.

Unfortunately the mosque was closed to tourists as its interior was being renovated. The mosque was located on Bussorah St, re-named in 1910 after a city after a city in present-day Iraq. 

Photos of Arab St in Kampong Glam:

Walked up and down Arab St, famous for its textiles.

Photos of Malay Heritage Center in Kampong Glam:

The Malay Cultural Center was formerly a royal residence known as Istana Kampong Glam. Loved the architecture here; so vital and alive after drab Jogja!

Loved the predominantly Art Deco style shophouses and grand colonial architecture with a Middle Eastern feel in this area.

Ever since we knew we were coming to Singapore, I couldn’t wait to visit Raffles Hotel, one of the most famous hotels in the world and known as where the Singapore Sling drink was made. That drink held food memories for me as I had one, or even two, at my high school formal, i.e. prom, more than 4 decades ago!

Photos of Raffles Hotel in the Colonial Quarter:

‘The hotel served as a self-contained island of tranquility for Europeans in colonial times amidst the heat and bustle of Southeast Asia’ according to a guidebook. Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad, Noel Coward, Charlie Chaplin are some of the celebrities who have stayed at the Raffles Hotel. Unfortunately the lobby and all interior areas of the hotel are closed to all visitors. Boo hiss – as I really wanted to walk inside and see the famous Writers’ Bar.

Even though we couldn't enter the hotel, we ate a delicious sandwich in its small cafe
located via an exterior entrance. 

Afternoon tea anyone?

The Palm Court

You cannot seemingly walk anywhere in Singapore without reading and hearing Sir Stamford Raffles' name mentioned as he had a profound impact on every aspect of the city's life.

Raffles Hotel's Long Bar where the Singapore Sling was developed.

It would have been so much fun stopping here for a Singapore Sling and walking through memory lane. But we were both so hot and sweaty (and a tad stinky too, I must admit) that no one would have wanted to come anywhere close to us!

On to CHIJMES (Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus):

Formerly a Catholic orphanage and now an event center.

Photos of St. Andrew's Cathedral:

Supreme Court

Parliament House

After being so underwhelmed with Jogja and its drab, almost colorless, boring architecture, it was wonderful coming to colorful and vibrant Singapore with its fascinating ethnic neighborhoods and striking buildings.

Asian Civilizations Museum

Didn't see any sign about this memorial.

Victoria Theater & Memorial Hall: Built in 1862 and formerly known as the Town Hall.

Walked over Cavenagh Bridge

Crossing over to Singapore's Southbank and en route to Fort Canning Park eventually!

Stopped in at the Fullerton Hotel as they allowed visitors unlike snooty Raffles Hotel!

Loved the reflection and contrast of old versus new.

Walked along the Southbank all the way from Fullerton Hotel.

Needed to fortify ourselves with an ice cream pit stop at Mickey D's.

One fancy restaurant after another in this part of Singapore. 
At most along the quay, you could pick your dinner fresh from the tank.

Hungry anyone?

Underground passageway; certainly no sign of litter or graffiti here.

Would have been nice to get to this part of Singapore to view up close more of its stunning skyline but we just ran out of time.

Loved these beautifully colored shutters.

Photos of Fort Canning Park:

We had walked thorough much of Singapore with the ultimate goal of ending our walking tour here at Fort Canning Park.

Fort Canning Park: What an oasis in the middle of a throbbing city.

What enormous leaves these were.

 Ex-pats running for breast cancer and soliciting donations from passersby.

Looked like these leaves had just been highly polished as they were so shiny.

The Keramat Ishkandar Syah

Fort Canning Park's Gothic Gate

There was a massive construction boom going in so many areas of Singapore. 

We ended up walking through Fort Canning Park for almost 2 hours and loved every moment of it. Left the park here and headed back to our hotel in Little India via the city's fabulous underground or metro system called the MRT.

Photos of National Museum of Singapore:

We had heard for a while before coming to Singapore about its horrendous air quality due to the fires in Indonesia. It was incredibly hazy in the morning but luckily the smog didn't appear to be as bad as we feared when we were there. Interesting though to see this sign in a store that limiting the number of face masks you can buy at a time.

Photos of Serrangoon Street in Little India all lit up at night:

What a great day it was discovering so much of Singapore on our own walking tour but it sure was great to be back at the hotel!

Posted on 10/16 from Da Nang, Vietnam.