Singapore feels like my second home already. My sixth visit to Singapore in a span of three years and yet there are always new things to discover. My recent visit from July 15 till July 18 was upon the invitation of the Singapore Tourism Board to cover the Singapore Food Festival 2010. Wasn’t it just last year that I was in uniquely Singapore? What’s truly amazing are the changes that are taking place all the time. It is no wonder that the brand changed to Your Singapore just recently. Each traveler has their own reason for visiting Singapore year in and out. Mine is always a business trip, the preferred choice of venue for events. My daughter’s reason for travelling to Singapore is the Great Singapore Sale.
YourSingapore
YourSingapore takes over from where ““Uniquely Singapore” left off. The focus is visitor-centricity, meaning the experiences are made wholesome and personal, drawing their allure from the breadth and richness of attractions many have grown to love here in Singapore. I believe shopping is one of the many reasons for visiting Singapore. Others visit for the arts, culture, the fun places, or business.
My tour guide, Wee Toon Hee brought me to the new malls (including a refurbished mall) along Orchard Road that wasn’t around since my last visit in October 2009 and other exciting sights as well.
Here is My Singapore, the sixth time around:
Orchard Malls
Ion Orchard
I enjoyed my shopping at the Sephora. It is the largest branch I have ever been to. Such a pleasure looking at all the makeup and skin care goodies. If you’re a tourist, there is a 5% discount but make sure to bring your passport.
Mandarin Gallery
Mandarin Gallery is actually a refurbished mall. I took my brunch at the “Wild Honey” where they serve a breakfast menu all day. It is like a home away from home.
313 Sommerset
Orchard Central
Orchard Central is Singapore’s tallest vertical mall.
Haji Lane
This is my daughter’s favorite place where she found some vintage accessories. This can be found at the Kampong Glam neighborhood of Singapore. A lot of the young kids frequent the shophouses along this lane for the independent fashion boutiques and Middle Eastern cafes.
Eating Shish Kebab at Cafe Le Claire at 39 Arab Street. The Cleopatra drink made of mango, pink guava, orange and sprite was quite refreshing.
I passed by the Silk Studio where I bought two dresses last year. This is quite near Haji Lane. I didn’t buy this year since I just shopped for new clothes.
Sky Park at the Marina Bay Sands
The Marina Bay Sands hotel was under construction last July while viewing this in the Singapore Flyer. The SkyPark was formally launched just last month and floats on top of the three Marina Bay Sands hotel towers, 200 meters in the sky. I got a good view of the Sky Park from my hotel window at the Mandarin Oriental.
And from the Sky Park, a view of my hotel, the Mandarin Oriental. How awesome is that.
A sparkling infinity pool lines the span of the three towers, allowing guests to admire the cityscape while they soak in the pool’s cool waters.
A perfect spot to relax at the end of the day, that is if I am a hotel guest here.
and for the business traveler like me, the best part is relaxing on the bed at the end of the day facing the harbor view from my hotel window at the Mandarin Oriental.
On my last night, my friend Louise and I had a blast chatting with my sister, Lorna via Skye and enjoying the city view. As an added bonus, there were rehearsals for the Asian Youth olympics on the stage right below the hotel.
My Singapore experience is never the same as the last even if it is a Singapore Food Festival. Your Singapore experience may not be the same as My Singapore experience but it is just as exciting and playful.
