Satay in Singapore

Our second stop along my family's around the world trip last summer was Singapore. Singapore is a city-state island off of southern Malaysia. It is a melting pot of cultures, and was my favorite location we visited on our trip. So what made it so enjoyable to visit? Firstly, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I got to Singapore, which made it a pleasant surprise. Several people told me ahead of our travels not to bring any gum into Singapore. They have strict laws on littering with heavy fines, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What I found when we arrived was a country rich in kindness, beauty, cleanliness, delicious food, and dedication to excellence.

Rooftop infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands.

We stayed at the Marina Bay Sands hotel next to Gardens by the Bay. What makes the hotel very unique is the ship-like structure at the top of its three towers. It holds a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Singapore skyline. Singapore is a global financial center, and there are many architectural marvels boasting its prosperity. We spent quite a bit of time at the pool, which I affectionately called “selfie central” since its stunning views are great for snapping a few photos…or 20. We enjoyed watching the movie Crazy Rich Asians that featured a scene at the pool ahead of our travels to Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel located in Singapore.

I loved the sunrise yoga on the rooftop of Marina Bay Sands.

When we weren’t in the hotel pool, we explored the Gardens by the Bay next to our hotel. There are two indoor areas that are filled with an endless amount of vegetation to see. One is filled with mostly greenery, and the other has ample amounts of blooms. Our favorite place to eat in Singapore was the hawker stations, and right next to Gardens by the Bay was Satay by the Bay. Hawker Stations are small permanent stands that cook in the open air. They usually only have a limited menu, so that they can perfect their offerings. We even had the chance to eat at a hawker station in Chinatown that was awarded a Michelin Star for their amazing chicken and rice dish. My son and my favorite dish from the hawker stations was satay. Satay is comprised of various meats on a stick that are seasoned and grilled to perfection.

Gardens by the Bay.

Gardens by the Bay lit up at night.

During the day, my kids enjoyed renting electric scooters to tour around the Gardens by the Bay grounds. These were relatively easy to rent through a phone app, and were a welcome retreat after we had been walking so much. There were quite a few paths that were available to use that weren’t accessible by car. We also loved the ArtScience Museum displays, and The Shoppes mall which were both located right next to our hotel. Our children especially liked Cow Play Cow Moo arcade located in the shopping mall. The mall also featured many fantastic restaurants, and high end luxury shopping.

My husband holding the moon at ArtScience Museum.

My family had a great time at Cow Play Cow Moo arcade.

My family had such a lovely time visiting Singapore, starting with the flight on Singapore Airlines. One tip I have when planning a trip to Singapore is to allow extra time at the Singapore Changi Airport. It has been voted the World’s Best Airport for the last seven years. Attached to the airport is The Jewel. It features a beautiful indoor waterfall with several levels for observation, and wonderful shopping. It truly is something not to be missed on your trip.

The amazing waterfall at The Jewel.

I’m already looking forward to the next time my family visits Singapore. I hope that you will think of it for a future destination as well!