The gateway to the Far East: Singapore

From plane to taxi - an astonishing 15 minutes. And yes - we did have to clear Immigration! As airports go, Singapore is without question the global leader in experience, organization and comfort. Everything is seamless and is a perfect representation of what this city state is all about - functionality, efficiency and state of the art modernity.

As you move through the city, pristine garden beds line highways and skyscrapers wear their architectural beauty with pride. Armies of Bangladeshi workers help to keep vegetation clinging to skyscrapers, whilst green areas are aplenty - this city speaks to the 21st century.

The most iconic and arguably most beautiful - Gardens by the Bay is where we headed, to walk off the 13 hour flight and the dispicable jet lag. One would be hard pushed to find a more beautiful cityscape anywhere in the world. The Louis Vitton of skyscrapers leap out of immaculately manicured gardens on the banks of the harbour. Boats quietly zip around the bay delivering office workers and tourists to their destination.

Whilst moving around the city - you don’t have to look to far to see why this place has been coined the cleanest city on earth. Despite being a booming metropolis, serious sanctions are enforced for littering. The underground is spotlessly clean - almost unervingly clinical. The streets - mirror this vibe, with locals endeavoring to play their part to hold this mantle. As such, it is no wonder so many folk pass through and get stuck. They end up calling this home.

Sometimes, the journey is part of the destination. Singapore is often a stopover for people on long haul travels - a perfect gateway to the Far East. But - maybe, just maybe - singapore could out do your final destination, if only you give it the time to discover. And what’s more, if you fail to leave the airport - even that won’t let you down. The tallest indoor waterfall on earth provides the epicenter of the Jewel shopping centre. Think Westfield London on steroids - or for the northerners amongst us The Metrocentre after a serious set of implants!!

5 stories of any shop you can think of. A train ride to take you through the gardens and a prime viewing spot of the waterfall. If you are seriously bored - get stuck in to the garden maze...and this is all before you get to your main terminal where shops, street food markets and brilliant lounges await you.

Enjoy a slice of Singapore when you can.

Top tips and Highlights:

To eat:

Head to Satay street Hawkers market - this is a caulker of a place - and offers tasty food. We had the Indian offering which was unreal - but the seafood satay was also super tasty. Cheap but authentic - make sure you try this out.

For a decent lunch joint Go to Satay by the Bay. A decent walk from Raffles station - this is a wicked little hawkers market on the banks of the waterfront where you can get a range of Asian cuisine. We had the pad Thai and chicken satay by the 20...it won’t let you down either.

For drinks:

Head to 33 - a bar on the 33rd floor overlooking the harbour and gardens by the bay. If you manage to get a table overlooking the harbour at 7:45 enjoy the light show at gardens by the bay. A very iconic part of Singapore life!

For brekkie:

We went to Toast - a wicked little place, which is rather baffling given all they do is toast...maybe there is a business there peeps! But I have to say the way they serve the toast makes it pretty scrumptious!