the top ten.

So it has been a loooooong time between blogs… Ooops. Sorry! But really, there hasn’t been a whole lot of exciting stuff going on that I wish to fill your precious time up with reading. But I thought it was time to do a ‘Top Ten’ things to do in Singapore….. Over the past couple of months I have been blessed to share Singapore with friends and family from home. So, am starting to become a bit of an ‘expert’ in this area. And now that there is a really really ridiculously cheap airline which flies BNE – SIN & SYD – SIN, there is no excuses not to take advantage of the free accommodation and tour guide you could have in Singapore! – Be aware, the national past time in Singapore is eating and shopping, so there may be a bit of a theme to this list…..

awesomeness.

1. Chilli Crab – The national dish (besides chicken rice which you can get from the Hawkers Centre).

Ben & Chihiro love it!

Kevin & Pam love it!

Yes, I will make you get a ridiculous photo with a ridiculous bib if you come and visit!

Ok, I have only had chill crab at one restaurant, but it is the bomb. I only really go out to eat this when I have guests, so I frequent the same restaurant. Jumbos @ Clark Quay. You get a great view, sitting along the river and the ginormous bib they hand to you when you order the dish makes you realise there is no dainty or elegant way to eat this meal – definitely not one for a first date! They also give you deep fried buns (seriously, deep fried! deep fried & carbs = HEAVEN!) to dip into the amazing sauce and I usually order a really fresh duck and mango salad and some salted fish fried rice to accompany the meal. Be prepared to get your hands dirty!

2. Singapore Zoo.

Just chilling!

I am not really one for the zoo, but everyone says the Singapore Zoo is amazing, and once you go, you too will be singing it’s praises. There are no fences, all the areas are kept like the traditional habitat of the animal. There are no animals sitting on concrete like you see in many Asian zoos. The animals are respected and it is amazing to see them up close. If you do go, take an umbrella as there is not that much shelter and if it goes 4 days without raining in Singapore, you find yourself thinking, ‘wow, it has been aaaaaggees since it has rained’. Otherwise, find yourself forking out $8SGD for a bright orange or green poncho.

3. Breakfast at Flutes @ the Fort.

Asparagus, salmon and poached egg (minus the hollandaise sauce that usually accompanies)

BURGER!!!

How interesting that my favourite breakfast in Brisbane also shares it’s name with my favourite breakfast in Singapore (Flute – Coorparoo). You can choose a 2 or 3 course option for $32 - $38 SGD which is super ridiculously amazing price when you consider this is a fine dining restaurant and by night you would be looking at way over $100SGD for dinner per person. The options include a mixture of breakfast and lunch items and 5 different choices for each course. Also, (when you are not hungover – apologies to my gorgeous flatmate Lucy who was looking forward to sipping champagne with me when we went there with Tom the other week), you can get a glass of MUMM champagne for $15SGD. Set in an Queenslander style house (I kid you not), the atmosphere is beautiful set in a park so you don’t feel like you are in the city.

4. The light show in the Marina.

Every night at 8pm and 11am, Singapore puts on a spectacular laser light show which goes for about 10 minutes and is really actually quite cool. The Merlion is also located in this area so you can see that as well.

A massive slice of awesomeness - PS Cafe.

5. MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm CAKE @ PS Café

They even do Nanna puddings for people like me!!!!

mmmmmmmmmmmmm coffee!

If you fancy a ginormous slice of sweet sugary goodness, PS Café is your locale. While you need to be prepared to pay upwards of $12SGD for your slice, it is worth it. On a sunny afternoon, I recommend the Dempsey Hill location where you can sit out on the deck (or in the air con if you prefer) overlooking a rainforesty area….. Otherwise, at Ang Sian Hill there is a gorgeous, 3 level art deco inspired restaurant . One of my favourite things about PS Cafe is the use humungous bunches of fresh flowers (mainly lilies – my favourites!) as decoration.  This place is more than a coffee shop, although the meals can be a little hit and miss. But definitely, this is the spot for cake and coffee.

S* photo. Awesome View. 

6. Altitude Bar – The best view.

Many people go up Marina Bay Sands to get a view of the city, the problem with this is, you don’t get to VIEW Marina Bay Sands, which is a beautiful building. One of the few places in Singapore where you can get a fresh breeze (if you are lucky!) Altitude bar is the highest roof top bar in Singapore. It also comes with a price that matches, but drinking in Singapore is EXPENSIVE, so, for the view, pumping tunes and great atmosphere, it is totally worth it.

7. Chinatown

Happy Hour!! - Note the 'promo girl' in the background.

If you want to shop or eat, Chinatown cannot be beaten on both fronts. There is a wide range of shops to wander through with some of the best prices in Singapore (just ask my Mum who carved it up!). Chinatown is also home to one of the best hawker centres in Singapore, it has an excellent, lively atmosphere and a great range of food and the beer promo ladies (I say ladies as these are the OLDEST promo girls I have ever seen!) are prompt and efficient with delivering beers to your table. The cheapest place to drink in Singapore is at the Hawker centres and this one has the best atmospheres.

8. East Coast Park

If you are into running, biking, rollerblading or walking, East Coast Park is where you wanna get to. You can hire bikes and rollerblades as well as carts which you can pedal around with your mates in. East Coast Park also has a wide range of Seafood restaurants (including Jumbos) as well as the 2^nd best hawker centre. This hawker centre is a lot more laid back, as it is by the beach. And when the sun goes down, you can see how the city extends onto the ocean which is literally brimming with cargo ships. As the night falls, they light up and it looks as though you are looking onto another city. The park also has wakeboarding and a skate park (which has zero graffiti!) if that is your preferred exercise method.

9. Orchard Rd

If you want to get seriously lost in a maze of underground shops as well as see shopping centre after shopping centre, lined up one after the other as far as the eye can see, Orchard Rd is your destination. During the different festive seasons, the decorations put up are just stunning – particularly the Christmas lights.

10. Buffet Brunch  - Senso

Dessert @ Senso

Buffets in Singapore are an institution. Seafood, Dinner, Japanese, Brunch, Ice cream, Thai, Indian, Chocolate – you name it, they will have it somewhere in the form of a buffet. Again, I have only been to one… can you imagine the amount of time I would need to spend in the gym or hanging out with Jillian if this became more than a special occasion affair? Senso was the chosen spot due to its price $98 SGD, Italian influence of food and the free flow Prosecco which came along with the package. Many brunches charge well over $150 and then ask for an extra $30-40 to include beer / wine with your meal, so Senso it was! This is also a really beautiful restaurant, which is smaller than your large hotel function rooms which cram with people, and the quality of the food was amazing. The service was excellent and your glass was never allowed to become empty!

Special mention to the Carrot Cake from Cedele....... YUM!

Low crime isn't no crime people - be vigilant!

More chili crab.... Seriously it is THIS good!

& if there is time, you can always get a Singapore Sling from Raffles....... Note this photo was taken BEFORE receiving the $90 bill for 3 cocktails.....