For most of the people the four topmost things which give
them happiness would be Food, Friends, Family and Travel. Imagine if you can
combine all these things? Wow, what a deadly combo it would make!! It would be
like exploring the world, taking my world with me!!
So, when I was asked "If you could take your family or
friends to any place on the planet, where would that be and how would you make
your trip the happiest one ever?". I started thinking of options. I
started weaving a beautiful dream which would make me the happiest. I thought
of Paris, the capital of romance. I thought of New York, the Big Apple. Sydney,
the place which always excites me. The
list seemed unending, there are so many places I want to see and so many places
I have already seen.
Out of all the places I have already seen, for a family-
friends holiday, I would choose Singapore. Yes, not an exotic or out of the
world place, but it’s just perfect for a jolly holiday with my loved ones.
Where I don’t need to carry vegetarian food or warm clothes. Or need to learn a
language to communicate or punch a big fat hole in my pocket to explore it
completely. So SINGAPORE it is.
In Today's world, with Yatra.com to our rescue, we do not need
to be scared about the planning of the
trip. The tickets, the accommodation, the visa and even the sightseeing is
taken care. They not only help you in planning your trip, but their
enthusiastic associates give you the most precious tips to make your holiday
perfect at that particular destinations.
What do you want from your holiday? Festive atmosphere,
thrilling adventure, awesome food, colourful culture, beautiful beaches, fun
theme parks for the kids, animal safaris or sports! Singapore has all that!
Singapore is the haven for tourists from all over the world. It hosts almost
all the tourist activities for all age groups.
So I would take my family and close friends with me for this
trip. And that would include people from the age of 1 yr to 75 yrs. Some of
them are nature and wildlife lovers, some adventure lovers, some kids crazy for
water parks, some foodies, some shopaholics, some gamblers and some ready for
starting a big fat book to be read in the calm lounge of a resort.
So our journey would begin at the beautiful Changi Airport
in Singapore. After all the research, the apt place for accommodation seems to
be the Marina Bay Sand Resort. One of the most spectacular resorts of the
world. It boasts of an infinity pool on the top of 57 floors, casino, number of
restaurants, shopping arenas, theatres, museums and everything you can think of
under three roofs(Bad joke, but that’s how it is. The three skyscrapers hosting
a tray like structure).
Comfortable rooms, good food and a free mind is enough to
enjoy any vacation, but since I want to make it the best. I plan for a lot of
fun activities for all. The usual late night sessions of card games, antakshari
and word games would always be there when the gang is together, but that is
more impromptu so that doesn’t need to be planned. The planning part would be
something like this...
First I will cater to the most enthusiastic lot, the kids,
the adventure lovers and the theme park lovers!
Sentosa is an island resort with a man- made beach, Fort
Siloso, golf courses, hotels and the fabulous theme park Universal Studios.
There is a huge Merlion which is the
imitation of the original one, there is Marina Life Park with the world's
largest oceanarium. The Dolphin show in the Dolphin lagoon is a sheer treat for
the kids as well as adults. The Butterfly park, the Nature Discovery are ways
to bringing your children close to nature. It is thrilling to experience
skyline luge and cable cars. You can see the whole Singapore skyline from the
Tiger Sky tower in Sentosa. If you are a water person, Palawan beach, Siloso
Beach and others are a must visit. My best memories of Singapore includes the
hour long laser show in Sentosa. It was the first time I was watching a laser
show and believe me, in 5 years, more than 7 countries I have visited in this
period. But I have not seen any laser show which even comes close to this one.
Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari,
Marine Life Park is the perfect way to introduce the kids with nature and
wildlife. Night safari especially is very exciting and an unusual way of
experiencing the woods.
Now time for the Foodies and the shopaholics!!
Singapore boasts of a cosmopolitan crowd and with that comes
a variety of cultures. You should visit the place to experience the Indian-ness
in Little India. They have Mustafa market full of Indian/Asian people pushing
and pulling each other on one hand and on the other hand, people breaking
traffic rules without any fear in those few lanes of Little India.
Similar vibes you get when you enter China Town. The marvellous
red Chinese lamps, the bright and exquisite hand crafted runners, the China
made electronic toys, the Fensui Bamboo shoots and everything that China is
known for would be available there.
Apart from Little India and China Town, there are various
other shopping malls for electronics, toys, garments, etc like Sim Lim Square,
Central, ION Orchard, Junction 8 etc. All the shopping malls are based in and around
The Singapore Flyer.
Now let’s get a little mushy. Singapore has a romantic side
to it too!!
My personal favourite in Singapore is The Clarke Quay. There
is a small lake/quay in the centre of the city, around which you will find a
lot of small cosy restaurants serving all types of cuisines. They are very
beautifully decorated and makes up for the most romantic locations to dine. Soft
music playing in the background, beautifully lit tables with candles placed
overlooking the quay. In the quay, they operate boats for enjoying the lovely
serene waters and in the night those boat rides become a luring location for
dinner dates. Just sitting next to the quay on the steps would make you forget
all the worries in the world. You have to experience it to feel it.
For the groovy youngsters, I plan for a fun night out in and
around Orchard street.
Orchard street is the most happening street of Singapore. It’s
almost like the Times Square of Singapore. The atmosphere on this street on
Chinese New Year, Christmas and New year’s eve cannot be recreated even after
spending crores of rupees. I don’t know if I am going to ever experience
anything of that scale ever. Approximately two lakh people on the street,
everybody in festive mood. Lot of stage shows happening at every nook and
corner. Strangers greeting each other, girls and boys all grooving merrily.
Everything is just mind blowing and you still feel so secure. Nobody is pushing, pulling,
touching each other.
The open sports bars in the perpendicular lanes of Orchard
street are full of soccer enthusiasts hooting for their teams. It is almost
like a chai tapri on the roads in India where people have their eyes glued to
watch Sachin’s century. Of course with a little up class seating arrangement J.
People swear by the Singaporean delicacy SATAY with peanut
sauce which you get best in the by lanes of Changi street. Mind you, it is not
for vegetarians though L.
For vegetarians The ANNAPURNA restaurant serving free satvik food for all is
the best choice. You really get mesmerized by the ambiance and with the love
with which the families serve the food to every visitor. Of course free doesn’t mean you don’t tip
them., its just that they don’t give you the bill.
Marina Bay Sands has many choices of pubs, discos and bars.
The newly found casino culture of Singapore is attracting alot of tourists from
all over the world, who love to gamble in Singapore.
The cosmopolitan culture, the vibrant nightlife, the ever
enthusiastic people and the vibes of the city makes it my best holiday
destination. Wish one day I can live this dream of mine. It’s never the place, but the company which makes all the difference. And when the
company and the place both are just right, everything is different!
This post is intended to participate in the Creating Happy Travellers! contest by Yatra.com hosted by Indiblogger.in
