October 6th 2024.
Amanda had been away from Singapore for decades, but now she was back. As she walked through the lush jungle, she was taken back in time. The heat, the scents, and the sounds of the monkeys and birds were like a soothing sound bath. It was exactly what she needed for a holiday - an adventure that was both exciting and unexpected.
But what made this walk through the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in Singapore so unique? Just 45 minutes ago, she was in an air-conditioned shopping center, trying on shoes and buying designer handbags at discounted prices. Where else in the world could you go from shopping bargains to spotting monkeys and chipmunks in the 28°C heat?
The residents of Singapore had the foresight to preserve the original jungle that once filled the countryside, and it was just the beginning of their City In Nature initiative. Everywhere she looked, there were hotels with greenery, and even business centers had herbal and wooded retreats in the sky. Amanda was amazed by CapitaSpring, where workers could sit among the foliage, charge their laptops, and even do lunch-hour yoga surrounded by tropical flowers.
The reclaimed land by the sea had been transformed into the stunning Gardens By The Bay, a green park that featured the impressive Supertree Grove. And it didn't stop there - Singapore's National Parks Board had set a goal to plant a million trees by 2030 and create 200 hectares of skyrise greenery. Even the flora started at Changi Airport, where Amanda was greeted by the eye-wateringly huge floral tubs in the middle of the highway.
As she whizzed through the streets, Amanda learned that each giant pot was on wheels and could be moved in minutes by the army, turning the highway into an emergency runway. The cool flower display suddenly became even cooler. And to ensure that road building didn't harm the wildlife, the jungle was preserved with walkways and trees planted for the animals to cross safely.
Amanda reminisced about her childhood in Singapore, when shanty towns still existed and skyscrapers were yet to be built. She remembered jumping out of the GP's ground-floor window and running straight into the jungle behind the surgery. Now, she was not as energetic as she used to be, but luckily there was an easy path, water refill points, and clear signposts to guide her through the dense jungle heat.
If she wanted a meal she'd never forget, Amanda could grab a taxi and head towards the Malaysian border to Bollywood, a farm curated on the edge of the jungle. She could take a walking tour with sticks in case of snakes or wild boars. It was an unconventional nature tour, where their guide even broke into the fruit of a lipstick tree and used the red pigment to show how it got its name. It was the most natural make-up product she had ever seen.
Amanda had learned to spot which bananas were safe to eat and which were not. After the tour, she could relax in the hippiest restaurant she had ever been to, under fans, and enjoy mouth-watering meals with the locals. Singapore had so much to offer - it was not just a concrete jungle, but a city blessed with modern conveniences and surrounded by nature.
With a three-day tourist pass, Amanda found herself surrounded by all the flora and fauna she could dream of. She even spotted the otters that had returned to the wild there. After a long day of walking and exploring, she could unwind by swimming in the pool at the friendly Park Royal Collection Marina Bay Hotel, admiring the skyscrapers in the background.
Singapore was a surreal and steamy shopping heaven, unlike any other city break she had been on. It made her realize the power of plants and wildlife in a city setting. She was refreshed and ready to start her trip, thanks to the comfortable flight on Singapore Airlines. She had worried that three nights wouldn't be enough for a 12-hour trip, but she had arrived in Singapore feeling fresh as a daisy.
Returning to Singapore after so many years, Amanda was reminded of her time there as a child and it made her want to put her roots down once more. Shopping was a must, and if she couldn't find her shoe size in a store, she could always check the outlet at Changi airport. It was known for stocking the biggest shoe sizes to cater to tourists. Orchard Road was the bustling shopping district of Singapore, and it was a must-visit for any shopper.
For a fancy drink, Amanda could head to Atlas Bar, the most impressive cocktail bar she had ever been to. It was like stepping into a vast film set, with a Great Gatsby vibe. And if the lights were too low, she could use the torch on her phone to light up her face for the perfect Instagram shot. Located in the Parkview Square building, it was often referred to as Gotham City, and it looked like it came straight out of a Batman movie. The drinks menu was as thick as the Magna Carta, and Amanda couldn't resist sipping, posing, and enjoying.
For those planning a trip to Singapore, Singapore Airlines flew four times daily from London Heathrow to Changi airport. Amanda's stay at the Park Royal Collection Marina Bay Hotel was nothing short of amazing. For further information and to plan a trip to Singapore, she could head to the Visit Singapore website. With its perfect blend of modern conveniences and nature, Singapore was a destination that Amanda would recommend to anyone looking for an unforgettable holiday.
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