Spend the Perfect One Day Layover in Singapore

I made it to Singapore … And then immediately left …

Singapore is one of the most beautiful and well organized places I’ve ever been to. Everything from the luxury hotels to the public bathrooms felt thoughtfully designed. I spent exactly 36 hours avoiding sleep, roaming the streets, and eating as much as possible.

Neighborhoods

My favorite part of the city was all the small neighborhoods: China Street, Little India, Haji Lane, and more. It’s the same reason I love New York: genuine immigrant communities that built from scratch and cook as they did in their motherlands.

Markets

The first night we went to Lau Pa Sat, a night market.

Food

The next day, I went searching for a massala chai in Little India. That was how I ended up ordering the best Navratan Korma (mix veg in a cashew cream sauce) of my life. I almost cried. Afterward, we had a full Turkish breakfast at Haji Lane.

Marina Bay Sands

We had drinks at Spago Bar in Marina Bay Sands. We closed the day with Korean Chinese fusion and ice cream. This is all the food we ate and it was not enough. I mourn the meals I did not have.

Gardens by the Bay

We went to the Gardens by the Bay which are so large and dense that at some point we felt like we were NEVER going to leave. But maybe that’s the point. They are meant to feel like a never ending oasis amidst the city’s chaos.

The following day, we flew to Palawan, Philippines. We spent a lot of time sitting around, getting massages, and having deep, existential conversations over breakfast noodles. It was a nice change of pace considering I spend all of my time abroad in continuous motion.

Shout out to Jen G for being open and willing to travel across the world with strangers. To Danny for reminding me that I deserve to have nice things like the KING that I am. And to Jenn M for crying in public with me at 6AM.