Before we start, here is a brief intro you’ll find at the start of all of my blogs!
This is a story-style travel blog featuring my adventure through Southeast Asia in the fall of 2024. I spent 1 week on my own in Laos, then joined a 14-day tour called Ultimate Cambodian Adventure from the company G Adventures, and a final 3-day solo stop in Singapore. You can read the blog in order, or about whichever destination intrigues you! Within my stories, I’ll offer some recommendations and some tips and tricks for a smooth journey. When I travel, I mostly do group tours and the reasons are:
* As a solo woman traveler, it is much safer especially if traveling long distances or to countries that can be dangerous in some areas
*The itineraries are amazing and usually include all of the things you’d want to see and do…and if not, there is free time to do as you wish
*You don’t have to worry about booking transport, finding hotels, etc. Sometimes that can contribute to the adventure, but it’s also nice to sit back and relax and let your Tour CEO be in charge
* And finally…the new people you meet on your tour become your family, and I’ve made lifelong friends in these journeys. For myself, this has equal importance with exploring new countries.
After my tour of Cambodia, I have planned to spend 4 days solo in Singapore. Changi Airport is known as The World’s Best Airport. Some people even spend the day here as a destination. I had a brief stop here on my way to Laos, so here is my short guide to the Singapore airport!
My 14 hour flight from Vancouver lands shortly after 6am so I have around 4 hours to kill before my connecting flight. The only problem is…I’m here too early to enjoy some of the attractions. But the great thing is… there are still lots of things open this early! There are all kinds of flower displays, like these.
Terminal 1 has an arrival garden, a cactus garden, the kinetic rain display, and a tropical rainforest. I don’t get to explore this part unfortunately.
Terminal 2 has more gardens, a dinosaur exhibit, a sunflower garden and the “wonder fall”
I spend most of my time in Terminal 3, as I explore the butterfly garden
And the Coming Home art display
And the Crystal Garden
The coolest shops I find are the Bacha Coffee shop and the Louis Vuitton store.
There’s also an area that shows free movies on a giant public screen.
The airport has a giant slide, which is not open while I’m here. Same with the Jewel, that has the world’s tallest indoor waterfall with a rain vortex, surrounded by the Shiseido Forest.
For breakfast I end up at Singapore food street, a giant food court with a 1960’s themed Asian specialty. I have some dumplings and they’re so good.
And then one of these croissants from Bacha for dessert.
Alright, back in Cambodia a few weeks later, I say goodbye to my new friends and head to the airport. It’s small and efficient and the flight to Singapore is a smooth 2 hour ride. I use Jetstar Asia, and it’s top notch ! When I arrive, I discover the shuttle buses aren’t running because there is the Formula 1 race this weekend. My next choice is to try the MRT train, and it’s super easy so it’s a great option. I’m staying at the Wink Hostel at Mosque Street in Chinatown.
Mostly because hotels are super expensive, and I’m here for 4 nights. The hostel has provided very detailed directions from the train stop so I have no issues finding it thank god. The hostel is in an old building, but it’s pretty nice. I’m staying in a room with 10 pod style beds. I ask for a bottom bed. Haha.
Even this bed in a room is costing me just under $100 a night. After I check in, I head out for dinner. This area of Chinatown is just magical – the way it is lit up at night…I love it!
I can’t really decide what I want, so I choose a place that looks popular. It’s called the Yellow Chair Restaurant.
I have the pork dumplings and a beer.
The staff here aren’t very friendly, and it’s even worse when I accidentally spill my beer all over the table and floor. Haha. I’m used to everyone being so nice in Cambodia, so people here seem extra rude. The meal is very expensive, and I’m guessing it’s because I’m in a touristy area. There are so many souvenir shops here, so I can’t wait to find some cool things to bring home.
I settle in to bed before midnight, ready to explore tomorrow!
Singapore is a vibrant island city state in Southeast Asia. Despite its small size it boasts a powerful economy, world class infrastructure and a reputation for cleaniness, safety and efficiency. It is a global financial hub with its iconic skyline, but it’s also known for its lush green spaces and amazing culinary scene. The cultures mixed here in Singapore are Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western. You’ll find a dynamic mix of tradition and modern progress. It is also reallllyyy hot here with high humidity but luckily you’re never far from an air conditioned building to get that blast of ice cold air for the rescue!
This morning I’m eager to try a breakfast staple here in Singapore…kaya toast. I head over to Ya Kun Kaya, and order the toast and eggs.
It’s like a sweet creamy coconut jam and I love it! I buy a jar to bring home with me. After breakfast I hop on the train to head over to the Botanic Gardens.
It is one of the only gardens in the world that has UNESCO status, and the best part…it’s free! It was established in 1859 and spans 80 hectares . It’s a very popular place for locals and tourists; I see many locals out running on the paths. I think this is completely insane considering the heat – and it’s even more humid here amongst the trees. My god.
The grounds are broken up into sections, so I do my best to see all of it. First, the Trellis Garden
Then over to the Bamboo collection
Then a walk through the Foliage Garden
Throughout the park, you’ll find Heritage Trees
Then I come to the lake, beautiful and peaceful with lily pads surrounding the open air theater in the middle.
Next stop is the National Orchid Garden; there is a fee to come in here but it’s totally worth it.
There’s a “cool” room inside, for the orchids that don’t do well in the heat. I hear ya, orchids. I’m not doing well in this heat either Haha.
Needless to say I take my time in here and there are so many neat flowers, including lady’s slippers.
Back to the gardens and I find Burkhill Hall, which is the one of the last surviving Anglo-Malay plantation residences. Today it’s used for weddings and special events.
These are the prisoner of war brick steps, made during the Japanaese occupation of Singapore. As a sign of defiance, the prisoners imprinted arrows on the bricks to indicate they were being detained.
And an area with tons more heritage trees
And another lake on the way out!
Then I head over to Orchard Lane, the shopping mall area.
I look around for a bit but I don’t find it too interesting. Not really anything I’m needing or looking to buy.
My lunch stop today is in Little India, one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Singapore, with shops and temples lining the spice scented streets.
I find Komala Vilas, a very famous restaurant that’s been serving up authentic vegetarian Indian cuisine since 1947. I am excited to have the matar paneer and a mango lassi to drink.
It tastes amazing, but it does not agree with my stomach.
I look around at some of the shops in Mustafa Mall, keeping near toilet access just in case. Haha. When it’s safe, I pop back on the train and head to the hsotel for afternoon relaxation in the air con. For dinner, I walk over a couple of blocks to the famous Hawker Chan, the only hawker with a Michelin star.
It’s more like a fast food restaurant now. I have the char siew rice – fatty pork chunks accompanied by a mound of rice and a gross looking egg that gets a no thanks from me.
The flavor of the pork is nice but the texture…not so much.
Tonight I walk over to Clarke Quay and have a stroll around the area.
It’s jumpin’ with action…it’s a bunch of bars and restaurants that line the river.
I see a karaoke place, but it’s all room rentals and I’m not into that.
Then I find a place with live music but the drink prices are outlandish – I want to try a Singapore Sling but they run at $30 minimum!! Even the beer is pricey and I don’t need a drink that badly, so I wander back to Chinatown. I stumble upon this show called the Mid-Autumn Music and Dance Night, which is mostly a bunch of seniors dressed in crazy outfits singing and dancing on stage.
It’s cheesy and bad, but awesome. A pretty good way to end my night!
Everywhere On Earth With Erin 