Beyond the Bridge: The Impact of Perfection
Singapore is not your typical Asian metropolis; it is a city, an island, and a state, separated from Malaysia only by a bridge. What strikes you immediately, besides the futuristic architecture, is the sheer display of wealth: everything is ultra-modern, with an absolute order and cleanliness that almost seem unreal.
I didn’t spend years there, but I clearly remember the two months I lived in Woodlands, in the far north of the island, staying at the home of a girl I was dating at the time. We explored different areas together, discovering places where I imagine not many tourists have ever been. In the evenings, when she finished work, we liked to go look at the sea: across the strait, the lights of Johor Bahru in Malaysia shone brightly. Away from the glittering downtown, I discovered an incredibly practical daily life, inhabited by an extremely polite and kind population.
Let’s be clear, though: efficiency comes at a price, and Singapore is probably one of the most expensive places I have ever been. There are lavish shopping malls literally everywhere, yet the surprising thing is how they coexist with the abundant green areas and parks that wrap around the city. And then there is the omnipresent landlord: the climate. You are just a step away from the equator: it is always hot, the humidity clings to you, and the excellent subway network and endless malls become your perfect, albeit very expensive, air-conditioned refuges.
Curated experiences: what not to miss in Singapore, according to me.
Architecture from the Future: Take a walk looking up along Marina Bay and explore the famous Marina Bay Sands hotel. But the real magic happens at Gardens by the Bay, a botanical garden that looks like it was built by a civilisation from the future! If you arrive by plane, take a closer look at Changi Airport, widely considered one of the most spectacular in the world.
Green Escapes: If you want a break from the concrete, rent a bicycle to explore Pulau Ubin island, get lost in the Sungei Buloh Wetland reserve in the northwest, or venture across the Southern Ridges, a trail suspended on bridges and walkways surrounded by nature.
Cultural Mosaic: A visit to Little India and Chinatown is essential to discover how the city’s largest ethnic groups live. Don’t miss the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, housed in a truly striking traditional building.
Entertainment and Contrasts: From the unbridled luxury of the shops on Orchard Road to the fun of Sentosa Island (home to a Casino, the world’s largest aquarium, and Universal Studios). Another stop that will surprise you is the Singapore Zoo: there are no horrendous iron bars, the animals are kept in excellent habitats, and it is considered the best in the world.
Daily Refuges and Flavours: The food is a journey within the journey. Taste the delicious dishes born from the various cultures that coexist here, perfect for recharging in the food courts or air-conditioned malls.
My Advice: The people here are very similar to the incredibly warm people of Malaysia, and everyone speaks English. I highly encourage you to strike up a conversation with the locals: it’s the best way to truly understand what life is like in this part of the world and, who knows, you might just bring home a friendship that lasts for years!
Some info about Singapore:
Capital of Singapore: Singapore
Population: 5.6 milioni ab.
Official language: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil
Currency: Singaporean Dollar
Calling Code of Singapore: +65
Visa and Entry: For many nationalities (including Italians and most Europeans), the visa is free and valid for up to 90 days. Please note: regardless of your passport, it is mandatory to fill out the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) online within 3 days prior to your arrival. Your passport must have at least 6 months of remaining validity.
Connectivity and Transport: Buying a local SIM card is incredibly easy, but Wi-Fi is fast and ubiquitous. To get around, the subway (MRT) is excellent, affordable, and will take you everywhere without making you break a sweat.
Language and Currency: You pay in Singapore Dollars (SGD). The official languages are Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil, but English is the lingua franca spoken perfectly by everyone, which makes traveling here extremely simple.
N.B. Always double-check before leaving to ensure that visa rules haven’t changed recently!
Singapore, when to go?
Essentially, you can visit Singapore at any time of the year, as the climate rarely changes: it is constantly hot and very humid.
The Rains: December and January are statistically the rainiest months, but since you are right on the equator, sudden downpours can catch you on any given afternoon year-round.
My Advice: Pack light clothing, but don’t forget a light sweater or a scarf. The temperature shock between the humid 35°C (95°F) outside and the freezing air conditioning inside museums, the subway, and shopping malls is the real challenge of this trip!
