First Stop: Singapore

When I announced to my parents that I would be quitting my job, subleasing my apartment, and backpacking through Southeast Asia with my boyfriend for several months, they took it surprisingly well. My mum just had one request: a blog to document my memories along the way.

So Mum, this is for you.

Singapore: a spectacular combination of jungle and city, with architecture that honors nature rather than attempting to squash it, and probably the cleanest city I’ve ever visited. But truthfully, my biggest impression of Singapore was how unbelievably hot it was.

As a San Diegan who had never been to Asia before, I was unwarrantedly confident that I would cope just fine in the humidity. Late June in Singapore humbled me very quickly. I don’t tend to sweat much, but on our first day I sweat more than I had collectively the past six months in San Diego. I was a sticky, frizzy mess the entire visit, but Matt assured me that my sweat sparkled in the sun and the thought that maybe I looked like a Cullen kept me persevering all three days.

The city state is, in a sense, exactly what Crazy Rich Asians had me imagining. We visited many of the spots that are featured in the film, including Gardens by the Bay, and they still ended up exceeding my expectations. Beyond the dazzling views, Singapore set my food standards high from our first meal. We stayed in the Old Town district of the city, which meant we were right in the thick of the street-food markets and stalls. Not only was the food much more affordable there, but rumor has it some of the street-food vendors have also received Michelin stars. The food courts in the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) — which, by the way, is a luxurious hotel that boasts a rooftop pool and must-see 360 views on the 57^th floor — were another great foodie spot, where I got cheap sushi that made the San Diego equivalent laughable. My only struggle proved to be finding a cup of tea that wasn’t made of rocket fuel. Those who know me are aware that I am an addict and consume at least five cups of tea a day (the British way: English Breakfast with a splash of milk.) While in the mall, I was overjoyed to discover the TWG tea shop and forced Matt to wait for me while I enviously eyed the $500 teapots and fancy loose leaf teas I couldn’t fit into my 35L backpack. He coaxed me out with the promise to return at the end of our long trip. I’m documenting this promise here to hold him accountable.

We met up with one of Matt’s friends on our last night who showed us some trendy restaurants on the Singapore River. Clarke Quay, a small center on the river, reminded me of Copenhagen with its colorful pastel buildings along the dock. During drinks, I mentioned that I trashed my three packs of gum out of fear of being fined and he chuckled. Apparently, while gum is illegal for import or sale, it’s not for personal consumption. Go figure. We ended the night just after midnight, and it was still suffocatingly hot. I felt ready to head to our next destination, Indonesia, which would be in its winter.

Overall, I loved Singapore. It’s definitely one of the priciest countries in Southeast Asia so we kept our visit short and sweet. It proved easy to see the highlights in 72 hours. If it weren’t for the heat, though, I’d consider staying there for a month or two. The food, sights, and welcoming people make Singapore a truly magical city.

Our next destination: Indonesia!

Rianna and Matt’s must-dos in Singapore:

• Gardens by the Bay (It’s free to enter!)
• The Shoppes at MBS
• SkyPark Observation Deck at MBS
• Clarke Quay (Try the thriller GX-5 Extreme Swing if you dare. Disclaimer: we were too chicken.)
• Henderson Waves bridge in Telok Blangah Hill Park
• Sentosa Island: Universal Studios Singapore and the S.E.A. Aquarium