ENJOYING A TASTE OF SINGAPORE FOR MY 50TH BIRTHDAY

a little overview of my trip to Singapore for my 50th
The famous Merlion that holds pride of place in Singapore

SINGAPORE TRAVEL PICS

I thought I'd share some pictures from my trip to Singapore with my mum - it was her birthday present to me for my 50th birthday a few years ago. We had a great time seeing the sights and being tourists for a few days in the tropical heat.


ORCHARD ROAD

We made sure our hotel was right in the centre of things and Orchard Road with all its shopping seemed to be the best choice - little did we know that almost every shop within walking distance stocked designer clothes, shoes and handbags that left us feeling a little lightheaded when we checked the price tags! Still we managed to find some lovely little shops and cafes in between to spend our tourist dollars on. You can't come home empty handed!

a little shopping in Singapore's Orchard Road
In the shopping district of Orchard Road - The Ion and me with some 'friends'

BOTANICAL GARDENS

We had a little wander through the Botanical Gardens - my mum is a lover of orchids and all those beautiful, hard to grow flowers, so she was in her element. The steamy climate certainly does wonders for these plants and everywhere plants were thriving. The "Gardens By The Bay" hadn't been finished when we were there, but they would be on my bucket list for my next visit.

Singapore's Botanical Gardens
My mum wandering through the gardens and a few of the beautiful orchids that grew everywhere

MARINA BAY SANDS

No visitor to Singapore could miss the Marina Bay Sands Hotel as it stands out from the skyline when you look across the city. We took an evening riverboat cruise and the lit up Marina Sands stood out like a beacon. As a special treat, we went to the restaurant at the very top (next to the infinity swimming pool!) and then took in the views after dinner. 

Singapore's Marina Bay Sands Hotel
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel at night and the view from the balcony at the top the next day

SENTOSA ISLAND

There were so many other places to see and things to do, but the other tourist attraction we didn't want to miss was Sentosa Island. We took a package deal that included a ride over in a cable car, a visit to the museum, a visit to the aquarium/dolphins and we finished off with the Songs of the Sea show where there is a story projected onto water spray above a little pretend village on stilts over the sea. It was sensational and finished with a lovely fireworks display - what more could we ask for?

a trip over to Sentosa Island and a viewing of Songs of the Sea
Me sitting in the cable car as we headed over to Sentosa and an image from Songs of the Sea
We also did a night trip through the zoo with dinner included, and on our last day we saw the Titanic exhibition that was visiting at the time - that was pretty fabulous too. 


NEXT TIME

So there you have my brief-ish travelogue of Singapore - so much to see and do and I could go again and find even more interesting sights to see. I'd certainly love to see the Gardens by the Bay, I've heard you can mega-zipline across Sentosa on a similar structure to the cable car - not sure I'd be up for that but I bet my husband would be! There's side trips into Malacca and all sorts of other interesting things - including drinking a very expensive Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel. 

I'll be going back one day and taking my husband with me so I see a different side of things - he's a do-er and not a shopper so he might make me more adventurous!

38 comments

  1. oh I love this post!!! Makes me want to travel more, so much to see! So nice you had this time with your mum, a special thing to do xx Thanks for linking #Fridayreflections

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband and I are talking about going because it's cheaper to fly from Perth to Singapore than from Perth to most of the Eastern States - crazy!

      Delete
  2. That is a country I would love to visit. I even applied to work there a while ago (not chosen, obviously).
    Thank you so much for sharing your experience and such beautiful pictures.
    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You might still get there Debbie - I think you'd love living and working there - it's such a vibrant place.

      Delete
  3. Oh I love that you did this for yourself. Mine is coming up in three and half years and you've started me thinking I need to make me and something just for me a priority…

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I wanted to do Carla - I didn't want to do a big girls night out or anything, just something nice and girly with my mum and it was really nice. I hope you find something special too x

      Delete
  4. So much fun! It makes me want to go back! Thanks for sharing your adventure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it's such a clean and bright and upbeat place isn't it Shari?

      Delete
  5. Wow....what a fun trip!! I'd be looking for a consignment store to get some fashion goodies!! jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com
    #midlifeblogger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I managed to find enough to make sure my suitcase was full on the trip home Jodie :)

      Delete
  6. Wow, what a great trip, Leanne. Makes me want to pack my bags and go! I've never been to Asia and Singapore's right up there at the top of the list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like it because it's not such a culture clash and I don't feel like the rich first world person swanning around in a third world country.

      Delete
  7. Hi Leanne! I've never been to Singapore before so it's always fun to see photos of new places. Looks like you had a great time and how wonderful to be able to spend the time with your Mom. That's something you will always remember for sure. ~Kathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not quite on a par with Egypt Kathy - but closer to home for me and it was lovely to share it with mum x

      Delete
  8. How fantastic! What a great way to celebrate 50!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it was exactly right for what I wanted Rev - not too much and still special.

      Delete
  9. What a lovely way to celebrate your 50th Leanne. Singapore has so much to offer the tourist even though it is not that large. I loved revisiting it with you in your post. The only thing that I didn't like about Singapore was the humdity but hey who cares we are in a new and exciting culture! It must have been a lovely memory to share with your Mum. #FridayReflection

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd been once before just before I got married Sue and it had changed a lot - certainly the shops were a LOT more upmarket! and yes the humidity was pretty full on - my mum struggled with it if we were out on the streets for more than a short time but in the shade or inside it was lovely.

      Delete
  10. I'll bet your trip was amazing!!! Lucky you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Marcia - it was lovely spending time with mum and doing "girly" stuff :)

      Delete
  11. Looks like this was a wonderful trip! And what fun memories for your 50th birthday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Penny, it was a wonderful birthday present.

      Delete
  12. I love the photos! What a great celebration :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Winnie - we had a really lovely time together and got to see a lot of Singapore in the process.

      Delete
  13. That looks like a lovely and exciting trip, I have never been to Singapore. Wonderful memories for you and your mum.
    Kathleen
    Blogger's Pit Stop

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should add it to your "one day" list Kathleen - I think you'd like it.

      Delete
  14. I've never been to Singapore but its on my list of places to go. What a wonderful thing to do with your mom. I'm glad you had a great time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Mary and you will have to make sure you go - it's a beautiful Asian city to visit.

      Delete
  15. What a wonderful gift from your mum, and special time together. Singapore is one place I would like to see. Thanks for sharing on #overthemoon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Jen - it was a lovely gift and not too extravagant because Singapore airfares are quite reasonable from WA - and the time zone is the same which is an added bonus!

      Delete
  16. How fun - I grew up looking through my dad's photos from when he visited Singapore during the Vietnam War and he definitely had a bunch of those botanical gardens! Thanks for linking up at #FridayFrivolity and I hope you join us again this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Lisa - the botanical gardens are beautiful - they can grow anything in that tropical climate!

      Delete
  17. Oh it sounds amazing - i've always wanted to visit Singapore and i do so even more now - that skyline is breathtaking at night - beautiful wonderful account and photos #abitofeverything

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks so much and yes you will definitely have to get there one day - it's clean and safe and beautiful.

      Delete
  18. It looks like such a great place to visit! Those gardens look absolutely stunning too x #abitofeverything

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A tropical climate does wonders for all those orchids and it was all gorgeous to wander through.

      Delete
  19. we did Suzi - saw a little bit of everything and will definitely go back one day.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a lovely way to celebrate your 50th! My parents lived in Singapore for a bit when I was in college, and I spent a fun summer there. I do remember having a Singapore Sling with my sisters at the Raffles Hotel as being a priority on my to-do list back then! Happy belated birthday!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.