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| Emerald Hill |
I couldn't have asked for a better first leg to my trip or place to have my first solo traveler experiences! Singapore was everything I wanted and needed! Safe, clean, ultra friendly, easy to get around and beautiful!
I lucked out by accidentally arriving the weekend of Chinese New Year and staying a stones throw from Chinatown. The bustling night markets were full of families buying last minute presents and food for the festivities and meant the atmosphere was great. There's a real mix of old and new across the city with huge sky scrapers dwarfing colonial houses but it doesn't feel like the history is getting pushed out. The past and the future are managing to live together successfully.
On my first day I headed to the river following a 4 hour walking tour that took in some of the older hotels but I got stuck at the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay. The concert hall and theatre complex is 10 years old but doesn't look it. The Durian design (or hedgehog for those of you not able to Google a durian!) stands it out from the other buildings on the riverside and the views from the rooftop are brilliant especially at night. I think I could head back to Front of House Management if I had a roof top bar to manage! The Esplanade was a great place to view the city skyline at night as well especially when the Swisshotel were charging S$25 to get into their panoramic bar!
The thunder storms that rumble around Singapore, breaking the heat, are a welcome relief and make for a spectacular afternoon! I got caught in a couple, the best one being while I was at the Botanic Gardens, the locals all headed to the nearest shelter, of course being a hardened Brit I thought it's just a bit of rain and thunder so kept on walking until a rather close and loud clap of thunder made me think twice! I finally reemerged an hour later!
Saturday was my nature day in Singapore, as well as the Botanic Gardens I also headed to the Night Safari. Wandering round a Zoo at night takes a bit of getting used to, people and animals loom out of the darkness. It also takes some skill, you have to be still and quiet to see many of the nocturnal inhabitants, it meant that I got to see a lot more than some of the noisy families. I hung back once small children had finished banging on the glass or shouting about there not being anything to see and all of a sudden something would emerge out of the darkness.
The trip to the safari did lead to my first solo traveler panic when I realised I hadn't checked when the last trains were and was at least an hour outside of the City. I will not be making that mistake again. The minor heart palpitations I had counting down the stops and the time were not pleasant!
On my final day in Singapore I found a hidden oasis in the busy city. Emerald Hill is a conservation area set back off Orchard Road, the main shopping district. The Chinese Baroque era homes sit next to huge shopping malls but as soon as you step off of the main street you enter a quiet peaceful area a million miles away. Lush tropical vegetation line the street and I could get used to sitting on one of the balconies sipping a Singapore Sling!
I can highly recommend the Matchbox hostel. Based on Ann Siang Hill a bustling arty community on the edge of Chinatown its in a great location for all the sights and the staff were really welcoming. Coming home late each night the streets outside are full of people spilling out from the bars and restaurants around the hostel but as soon as you step through the door that all disappears and you can get a great nights sleep! It also has one of the best Hawker Centres at the end of the road for amazing food at ridiculously cheap prices! The roast pork, vegetables and rice that I had cost me S$5 (£2.50) and I got chatting to some fellow travelers so a great night all round!
If you get the chance visit Singapore you really won't be disappointed!
xx
