There are some trips that stay with you because of the places you visit, and others because of the people who make the journey special. My trip to Singapore in 2012 was both.
After saying goodbye to the Philippines, it was time for the next stop on our Southeast Asian adventure, Singapore 🇸🇬
Even before we left home, Singapore was one of those destinations I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to visit. An added bonus was that my friend had a former classmate from Singapore. We had all attended the same graduate school in England, although I was in a different program, so we arranged to meet up with her during our stay.
I’d heard so much about Singapore, how clean, organised and multicultural it was, along with its world-renowned Changi Airport. Looking back, it’s funny how some of your very first impressions of a place stay with you for years.
After landing at Changi Airport, we hopped into a taxi and made our way to our hotel. Even back then, Changi Airport was beautiful, and during the drive into the city, one of my first impressions was just how organised everything felt.
As we drove along, the taxi driver noticed my friend chewing gum. Very politely, he mentioned that chewing gum was restricted in Singapore. It was something we’d read about before our trip, so it was amusing to experience it within minutes of arriving. It certainly made for a memorable first impression.
Looking back now, it feels like the perfect way for our Singapore adventure to begin. One feeling stayed with me throughout the trip.
“Wow… I’m actually here.”
It wasn’t specifically that I’d always dreamed of visiting Singapore. It was because I’d always dreamed of travelling to another country.
Growing up in Cape Town, I’d often see tourists exploring the city, speaking different languages, taking photographs and experiencing the food and scenery that I saw every day. I always wondered what it would be like to be the tourist instead.
Standing in Singapore all those years later, it slowly dawned on me that I’d become that tourist I’d once watched from afar.
Exploring Singapore on Our Own
The following day, we decided to explore Singapore on our own. Armed with our cameras and a map, we made our way to the MRT and caught the train to Gardens by the Bay.
I still remember how easy it was to get around using Singapore’s MRT. Everything felt clean, efficient and well organised, making it incredibly simple to explore the city on our own.
When we arrived at Gardens by the Bay, I was completely amazed. I’d never seen anything quite like it before. The gardens were beautifully designed, blending nature with modern architecture in a way that felt almost futuristic. We spent time wandering through the gardens, stopping every now and then to take photographs and simply admire the scenery.
From there, we made our way over to Marina Bay Sands. We were curious to see the hotel up close and explore what it had to offer. By then, we’d worked up quite an appetite, so we decided to stop at one of the restaurants inside the complex for lunch.
After looking over the menu, we decided to order laksa. It was another dish I’d never tried before. Rich, creamy and packed with flavour, it was completely different from anything I’d had before.
I do remember lunch being a little on the pricey side. At the time, we simply assumed that Singapore was an expensive city. Our friend later explained that we’d chosen to eat in one of the city’s biggest tourist areas, so naturally the prices were higher than elsewhere.
After lunch, we spent a little more time exploring the Marina Bay area before making our way to the Esplanade, where we met our friend at library@esplanade.
Esplanade Rooftop
Later that afternoon, after more exploring around Marina Bay, we met our friend at library@esplanade.
I remember thinking what a beautiful space it was. Rich in art and creativity, it felt like much more than just a library. I loved seeing this side of Singapore. It wasn’t simply another tourist attraction. It was a place where locals and visitors could come together to enjoy the arts.
As we made our way through the corridors towards the rooftop, I remember stopping to admire some of the beautiful artwork along the way.
By the time we reached the rooftop, the afternoon was beginning to give way to evening. Standing there, I was completely amazed.
On one side stood the iconic Marina Bay Sands, while on the other we could see the Merlion overlooking Marina Bay. In the distance, the Singapore Flyer completed the skyline. It was one of those moments where I simply paused, took it all in and reached for my camera.
Part 2: Kampong Glam, Food & City Lights
The following day, we met up with our friend and made our way to Kampong Glam.
We spent the morning exploring on foot, especially around Kampong Glam and Haji Lane. I remember wandering through the colourful streets, popping into little independent shops and simply taking it all in. There was such a creative energy to the neighbourhood, with vibrant murals, unique boutiques and hidden corners that seemed to reveal something new around every turn.
One memory, in particular, has stayed with me. Inside one of the shops was a woman who immediately reminded me of the Cape Malay aunties I’d grown up seeing back in Cape Town. There was something so familiar about her that, for a moment, it felt like I’d found a little piece of home halfway across the world.
I ended up buying a simple silver ring and a headband from one of the shops. More than a decade later, I still have both of them. Every now and then, I come across them and I’m instantly transported back to those colourful streets of Kampong Glam.
After spending the morning exploring Kampong Glam and Haji Lane, our friend took us to a nearby local eatery for lunch. She wanted to introduce us to one of Singapore’s most iconic dishes, Hainanese chicken rice.
I’d never heard of chicken rice before, so our friend insisted we had to try it. At first, I remember thinking it looked like such a simple meal. Then I took my first bite. I was completely sold.
Since then, I’ve learned that Hainanese chicken rice is widely considered one of Singapore’s national dishes. Looking back, I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Singapore’s food culture.
Tender poached chicken, fragrant rice and the chilli sauce all came together so perfectly. It was one of those dishes that proved you don’t need complicated ingredients to create something unforgettable.
After lunch, we continued exploring Kampong Glam and Haji Lane. We wandered in and out of a few more shops, and I remember picking up a couple of little goodies along the way, including some green tea leaves. It was nice seeing where the locals shopped and experiencing a different side of Singapore beyond the main tourist attractions.
Before heading back, our friend insisted that we stop for chendol. I’d never even heard of it before. She explained that it was a popular dessert in Singapore and across much of Southeast Asia. Made with shaved ice, coconut milk, palm sugar syrup and green jelly strips, it looked unlike anything I’d ever seen.
I remember it being incredibly refreshing, especially after spending the day walking around the city. The taste was different from anything I’d had before. It wasn’t ice cream, but somehow it was just as satisfying in the tropical heat. The creamy coconut milk, sweet palm sugar and chewy jelly strips made for such a unique combination.
That evening, we met up with our friend again, who had another culinary experience planned for us. She took us to a restaurant that specialised in crab.
It was unlike any seafood restaurant I’d been to before. Before long, we were handed aprons and a pair of pliers to crack open the crab shells. I knew we were in for a memorable meal.
I remember trying both the famous chilli crab and black pepper crab. All I can say is that my mouth was incredibly happy and completely on fire at the same time. Between the spice, the heat and the rich flavours, I think I spent most of dinner with a sweaty forehead and a runny nose, but I couldn’t stop eating.
After dinner, we walked around the city for a little while before stopping at a Japanese restaurant. If I remember correctly, I think it was called Tomo Izakaya.
We decided to share a trio of desserts, and once again I found myself trying flavours I’d never experienced before. I remember tasting matcha ice cream for the first time, along with a tofu cheesecake and what I think was a red bean sticky rice cake.
Everything on the plate was completely new to me, and I was fascinated. The matcha ice cream was light and refreshing, while the tofu cheesecake surprised me the most. It was creamy but much lighter and less sweet than the cheesecakes I was used to back home. It was different, but in the best possible way.
Looking back, I smile because every meal seemed to introduce me to something I’d never tasted before. It made me realise just how much food can tell you about a place and its culture.
After dessert, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up before making our way to a rooftop bar in the city.
Looking out over Singapore’s skyline with a drink in hand was the perfect way to end such a packed day. The city lights stretched out before us, and after a day filled with exploring, eating and discovering new places, it was the perfect spot to simply sit back and take it all in.
It was my first real taste of Singapore’s nightlife. Watching the city come alive after dark, surrounded by locals and visitors alike, was a wonderful way to end the evening.
Looking back now, I do wish I’d taken more photographs of the food we ate. At the time, I was far more focused on capturing the places we visited than the meals we shared. Little did I know that years later, food would become such a big part of my travels and storytelling.
Part 3: A Day at Siloso Beach
The following day, after our busy day exploring the city, enjoying an unforgettable crab dinner and ending the evening with rooftop drinks overlooking Singapore, our friend suggested we spend the day at the beach. I was more than happy with that idea.
We made our way to Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island, and I couldn’t wait to see what it was like.
I still remember my first glimpse of the beach. The water was calm, the sand was soft, and dotted across the horizon were cargo ships waiting offshore. It was such an interesting contrast. On one side was a tropical beach where families and children played in the sand. On the other was one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
We spent quite some time on the beach, walking along the shoreline, taking in the views and enjoying the slower pace after a few busy days exploring Singapore. We also wandered along the jetty stretching out towards the ocean. From there, the views were even more spectacular, looking back towards the beach on one side and out across the water towards the ships on the other.
After spending the afternoon at Siloso Beach, our friend suggested we stop for a coffee and something light to eat before heading back. She took us to Toast Box, where we ordered a traditional kopi and shared some pork floss toast.
I still remember thinking,”Pork floss… what on earth is that?”
One bite later, I understood why it was so popular. The toast was soft, and the pork floss had this unique combination of sweet and savoury flavours that I’d never tasted before. It was another one of those foods I’d never have thought to order myself, but I’m so glad our friend introduced us to it.
After our stop at Toast Box, we made our way back to the hotel to finish packing.
The following day, it was time to say goodbye to Singapore. We headed to the airport, where our journeys took us in different directions. My friend flew back to Germany, while I made my way home to South Africa.
Although my time in Singapore had come to an end, I left with so many wonderful memories. From exploring colourful neighbourhoods and tasting incredible food to experiencing the city through the eyes of a local, it had been a trip I’ll never forget.
Looking back, one of the greatest gifts from this trip wasn’t just seeing Singapore’s famous attractions. It was experiencing the city through the eyes of a local. Our friend took time out of her own life to show us her city, introduce us to the foods she grew up with and share the places that meant something to her.
I’ll always be grateful for that. It gave me a side of Singapore I never would have discovered on my own.
Perhaps that’s why this trip has stayed with me for so many years. It wasn’t just about visiting another country. It was about experiencing another culture, tasting unfamiliar foods, meeting wonderful people and seeing the world through curious eyes.
It also reminded me of a promise I made to myself as a little girl.
I remember being about eight years old and quietly telling myself, “Ek gaan ook eendag reis.” (One day, I’m going to travel too.)
Looking back now, I realise that little girl kept her promise.
If you missed the beginning of my travel diary series, you can also read about my adventures in the Philippines: From My Travel Diaries: Philippines 🇵🇭
CocoaGirlinToronto 