The next day, my landlady and I decided to exercise together. However, when we woke up, it was raining, so we couldn’t go jogging right away. Instead, we had tea downstairs while waiting for the rain to stop. It was amusing because the gym facilities were outside and free for anyone to use. Once the rain stopped, we started working out and I tried out the facilities. A few older people began to arrive as well, and it was fun to watch them.
After working out, we chatted briefly before heading back to the unit to prepare for the day. My landlady had to go to work, so I was on my own for exploring. I went to the Botanical Gardens, which has free entrance.
It’s one of my favorites because it’s nature-focused. I enjoyed walking around, taking in the plants, trees, and the overall beauty of the place. There were also many people out enjoying the gardens. The walk from the MRT station was about 3 km round trip. The sweat was worth it for the beautiful surroundings.
After the Botanical Gardens, I went to Changi Point because I heard the shoes I wanted were cheaper there. Unfortunately, when I arrived, they didn’t have the design I wanted, so I decided to head back to Bugis since I still needed to buy some souvenirs.
After Bugis, I also went to Mustafa with a friend who was buying souvenirs because she’s going home at the end of the month. She also bought baby items since she’s about to give birth. Mustafa is huge and has a lot of items, but I think it’s still cheaper in Bugis.
After shopping, I headed home because I had an early flight the next day. Before leaving the unit, I got some Laksa to hawker downstairs to take away (they use the term “takeaway” instead of “take out” in Singapore). Laksa is a famous Singaporean dish—spicy noodles with shrimp paste and tofu. I enjoyed it before heading to the airport. It was delicious with just the right amount of spice.
I took a taxi to the airport using Grab. Please note that Grab fares vary depending on the time it’s booked. If it’s peak hour, the fare is higher. I started checking prices when I woke up around 6 AM, and it was about 28 SGD. However, by the time I booked a ride around past 7 AM, the fare had gone up to 42 SGD.
Overall, I really enjoyed my stay in Singapore and truly appreciate the beauty it offers. I was amazed by the discipline of the people, the cleanliness of the area, and the high-tech features like automatic soap dispensers in the restrooms. I also noticed that there are no guards checking your belongings at mall entrances because the areas are surrounded by CCTV cameras. The transportation system was well-organized, and the government provides many free facilities. There’s so much more to appreciate. If I could extend my vacation, I would definitely consider it.
Highlights:
- Clarke Quay is a must-visit, especially at night.
- Visit the Botanical Garden if you love nature and walking.
- Bugis is great for buying souvenirs and gifts.
- Make sure to have an updated MRT station map.
- Don’t hesitate to ask questions; people are very approachable.
- The place is safe for solo travelers.
- Be prepared for a lot of walking.
- Take plenty of pictures.
- It’s better to explore during weekdays to avoid large crowds.
