The futuristic Gardens by the Bay Things to do in Singapore:
Before becoming an expat I would spend my weekends looking after my garden, doing DIY (or encouraging my husband to do DIY) and taking trips out with friends.
A Singapore expat doesn’t need to do any gardening (they may have a few pots but are unlikely to have a garden), and certainly wouldn’t be lifting a finger for DIY (you never know what trouble you’ll get into with the landlord, and if something is broken that’s who you call.)
So with more free time what weekend activities should you have on your list?
When you move to a new country it’s natural to feel overwhelmed with all the options available. But something strange happens and very quickly you can’t see the wood for the trees. I’ve also found that I’ve put on hold some of the trips I’d really like to make, saving them up for when visitors arrive. And then when someone asks: “What shall we do this weekend?” I can’t think of anything.
TripAdvisor has compiled a top ten list of Singapore’s most popular attractions, based on reader’s ratings. So if you need some weekend ideas this list is for you:
1. National Orchid Garden: Situated on the highest hill in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, are three hectares that are a haven for orchid lovers. The garden, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, contains more than 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids.
2. BreakOut Escape Games: Combining role playing and detective work, BreakOut offers three types of themed escape rooms; Forever Young, the Scientist, Magician’s Secret. Beat the clock by finding clues and solving puzzles.
3. Singapore Botanic Gardens: The idea seed of the Garden’s was planted in 1822 by Sire Stamford Raffles, who was a keen naturalist. He developed the first Botanical and Experimental Garden at Fort Canning. In 1859 the gardens moved to their present site between Holland Road and Bukit Timah Road and it now managed by the National Parks Board.
4. Flight Experience Flight Simulator: If you fancy yourself as a bit of a pilot this is for you. The Flight Experience uses a Boeing 737NG flight simulator to give you the experience of flying a modern jet airliner from the Captain’s seat.
5. Singapore Zoo: This 26 hectare wildlife park opened its doors in celebrating its 30th birthday. This is a full day out with more than 2,800 animals representing 300 species of mammals, birds and retiles.
6. Gardens by the Bay: When you first see the huge wine glass shaped structures in the Gardens, or the armadillo greenhouses, you may feel like you’ve stepped on to a futurists film set. The park spans 101 hectares and was opened in 2012.
7. Cloud Forest Dome: Located at the Gardens by the Bay, the Cloud Forest Dome is a huge greenhouse that replicates the cool damp atmospheric conditions of a tropical mountain regions between 1,00 and 3,000 metres above sea level.
8. Kranji War Memorial: Situated in the north of the island the Kranji War Memorial overlooks the Straits of Johore. The site used to be home to a military camp but was turned into a cemetery by the prisoners at Kranji. There are 4,461 Commonwealth casualities of the Second World War buried or commemorated.
9. Asian Civilisations Museum: The Museum aims to promote a better understanding of the multi-cultural demographic, which makes up Singapore’s society. The museum is housed in a 19th Century colonial building that used to be government offices.
10. Cookery Magic: Learn how to cook up Singaporean flavours in the home of Ruqzana Vasanwala. After this hands-on class enjoy the fruits of your labour during a sociable sit down meal with your classmates.
Do you have any gems to share? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us here.
Before becoming an expat I would spend my weekends looking after my garden, doing DIY (or encouraging my husband to do DIY) and taking trips out with friends.
A Singapore expat doesn’t need to do any gardening (they may have a few pots but are unlikely to have a garden), and certainly wouldn’t be lifting a finger for DIY (you never know what trouble you’ll get into with the landlord, and if something is broken that’s who you call.)
So with more free time what weekend activities should you have on your list?
When you move to a new country it’s natural to feel overwhelmed with all the options available. But something strange happens and very quickly you can’t see the wood for the trees. I’ve also found that I’ve put on hold some of the trips I’d really like to make, saving them up for when visitors arrive. And then when someone asks: “What shall we do this weekend?” I can’t think of anything.
TripAdvisor has compiled a top ten list of Singapore’s most popular attractions, based on reader’s ratings. So if you need some weekend ideas this list is for you:
1. National Orchid Garden: Situated on the highest hill in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, are three hectares that are a haven for orchid lovers. The garden, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, contains more than 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids.
2. BreakOut Escape Games: Combining role playing and detective work, BreakOut offers three types of themed escape rooms; Forever Young, the Scientist, Magician’s Secret. Beat the clock by finding clues and solving puzzles.
3. Singapore Botanic Gardens: The idea seed of the Garden’s was planted in 1822 by Sire Stamford Raffles, who was a keen naturalist. He developed the first Botanical and Experimental Garden at Fort Canning. In 1859 the gardens moved to their present site between Holland Road and Bukit Timah Road and it now managed by the National Parks Board.
4. Flight Experience Flight Simulator: If you fancy yourself as a bit of a pilot this is for you. The Flight Experience uses a Boeing 737NG flight simulator to give you the experience of flying a modern jet airliner from the Captain’s seat.
5. Singapore Zoo: This 26 hectare wildlife park opened its doors in celebrating its 30th birthday. This is a full day out with more than 2,800 animals representing 300 species of mammals, birds and retiles.
6. Gardens by the Bay: When you first see the huge wine glass shaped structures in the Gardens, or the armadillo greenhouses, you may feel like you’ve stepped on to a futurists film set. The park spans 101 hectares and was opened in 2012.
7. Cloud Forest Dome: Located at the Gardens by the Bay, the Cloud Forest Dome is a huge greenhouse that replicates the cool damp atmospheric conditions of a tropical mountain regions between 1,00 and 3,000 metres above sea level.
8. Kranji War Memorial: Situated in the north of the island the Kranji War Memorial overlooks the Straits of Johore. The site used to be home to a military camp but was turned into a cemetery by the prisoners at Kranji. There are 4,461 Commonwealth casualities of the Second World War buried or commemorated.
9. Asian Civilisations Museum: The Museum aims to promote a better understanding of the multi-cultural demographic, which makes up Singapore’s society. The museum is housed in a 19th Century colonial building that used to be government offices.
10. Cookery Magic: Learn how to cook up Singaporean flavours in the home of Ruqzana Vasanwala. After this hands-on class enjoy the fruits of your labour during a sociable sit down meal with your classmates.
Do you have any gems to share? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us here.
 Hanging out at Singapore Zoo |  Learning to fly |  Smell the flowers: Botanical Gardens |
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