Food, glorious (hawker) food, but don’t get trapped in Newton! In case you don’t already know, Newton Hawker Centre is a tourist trap. Look, not all the greatest
is found there. You know, Singapore has more than just one snazzy
4. Revisit yesteryears in Katong and Tiong Bahru. Sick of the malls downtown and too familiar with the refurbished facades of Chinatown and Little India? Head further west or east of Singapore, to
Tiong Bahru and
Katong respectively.
These two heartland areas are some of the oldest towns in Singapore with most buildings and
shop houses still intact from yesteryears. Check out the Art Deco-style flats with spiral staircases in Tiong Bahru or shop houses in Katong that mostly belonged to wealthy Peranakan (Straits Chinese) families (the Red House in Katong is worth a visit). Plenty of sumptuous eating-houses remain in these areas too. Nearest MRT stations: Tiong Bahru and Paya Lebar.
5. Cycle in Pulau Ubin. The closest you can get to a simple and rustic Singapore back in the
kampung (huts and villages before the country industrialised in the 1970s) is the nearby island of
Pulau Ubin. Here you can find rubber plantations, rich mangroves full of creatures and quiet beaches. You can either go
hiking or cycle around the tranquil island. This is a place where you can truly unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city. To get there, take a bumboat from Changi Jetty.
6. 24-Hour shopping at Mustafa. If you insist on shopping, then do it differently, at least. Especially when you have a craving for
shoes or an impulse to buy, buy, buy in the middle of the night.
The only mall in Singapore to offer shopping round the clock,
Mustafa Shopping Centre offers
apparel, food, vegetables,
jewellery, electronics,
gadgets and even bed sheets in just one location right in the heart of Little India. What stands out is the dynamic vibe here – even at 1 am, there are hordes of Singaporeans, Indians and Africans (the latter who live nearby) shopping here.
7. The Original Singapore Walks. They purport to do it differently than most tour operators, and darn right they do. These friendly people at Journeys, a travel agency, take you on tours to places like cemeteries, wet markets and former war sites. Basically, the nooks and crannies of Singapore’s forgotten places. We highly recommend this tour if you are squeezed for time. Visit
www.singaporewalks.com for more details.
8. Walk with God / Gods in Singapore. Our little island is known to be a harmonious society that caters to all faiths living together under one roof. So to know further about the Singaporeans’ psyche, visit various places of worship in Singapore.
9. Visit the
Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown (oldest Hindu temple),
St Andrew’s Cathedral,
Armenian Church in Hill Street (oldest church),
Hajjah Fatimah Mosque,
Central Sikh Temple,
Lian Shan Shuang Lin Temple in Toa Payoh,
Tan Si Chong Su Temple (ancient Hokkien temple),
Sultan Mosque and
Thian Hock Keng Temple.
10. Cable Skiing @ East Coast Park. Time to get wet.
Water sports look set to be massively popular in Singapore when the new Kallang Sports Hub opens and get the first hands-on cable skiing at
Ski 360, the first cable ski park located in East Coast Park. While you’re there, try other
sports and mingle with Singaporeans as you roller blade, cycle or simply have a picnic or two at this popular coastal park in Singapore.
Enjoying the greens in nature reservoirs.
