{"id":8007,"date":"2016-11-18T17:37:04","date_gmt":"2016-11-18T16:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.traveleurope.com\/en\/?p=8007"},"modified":"2016-11-18T17:39:51","modified_gmt":"2016-11-18T16:39:51","slug":"insiders-guide-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.traveleurope.com\/en\/insiders-guide-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"An Insider\u2019s Guide To Singapore"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s nothing quite like exploring a new country through the eyes of a tourist. Everything seems new, fun, interesting, and exciting. For those of us with the traveling bug, it\u2019s the most exhilarating experience imaginable. The problem? If you stick to your average guidebook, you\u2019ll be funneled through the dreaded tourist trap: fabricated \u2018authentic\u2019 restaurants and bars, hotspots that are frequented by anyone but locals, and a basic set of highlights that don\u2019t give you a true sense of the place<\/strong>. As you can probably tell, that\u2019s not how I think Singapore should be enjoyed!<\/p>\n

\"haw-par-villa\"<\/p>\n

Take my last visit, for example. I finally got around to visiting Haw Par Villa<\/em><\/a>, one of the strangest attractions Singapore has to offer, where Chinese folklore is brought to life through hundreds of statues. The infamous Ten Courts of Hell scene vividly depicts some of the imaginative punishments you could get for committing a variety of sins. It\u2019s interesting if a little gruesome, but makes for a fun and different day out. Of course, there are so many other attractions and places to visit. I share some of my favorite places with you so that you can experience Singapore like a real local without having to be one!<\/p>\n

Gain an Appreciation for Singapore\u2019s Biodiversity<\/h3>\n

\"chek-jawa\"<\/p>\n

You will likely have heard of Sister Islands Marine Park<\/a>, and while they do offer free guided walks, they are usually fully booked and getting to the island isn\u2019t exactly cheap. Instead, take a low-cost bumboat to Chek Jawa<\/strong> and go for a free guided walk<\/a> with some great volunteers who will fill you in on the country\u2019s fascinating biodiversity. The guides do a great job of raising awareness of the rich and fragile ecosystems, and you may be lucky enough to spot some unusual local wildlife while you\u2019re there.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not one for getting up close and personal with wildlife, then consider visiting the S.E.A. Aquarium. It\u2019s one of the biggest aquariums in the world<\/a> and home to over 100,000 marine animals. My favorite bit is the glass floor located near the touch pool. If you stand on top of it, you get to watch the fish swim right below your feet. I advise visiting in the evening (they\u2019re usually open until 7 pm) or on a Monday if you want to avoid the crowds.<\/p>\n

Take a Walk Through History<\/h3>\n

\"fort-pasir-singapore\"<\/p>\n

Singapore has a pretty fascinating military history, and there are various places where you can get a real sense of the past. There are many abandoned tunnels<\/a> and forts you can visit, including the forgotten ruins of Fort Serapong.<\/p>\n

The fort, along with Fort Pasir Panjang, was built by the British to protect the colony\u2019s flourishing port against sea attacks in the late 19th century. While some forts have gone on to be converted into military museums, others remain in ruins to this day. To get to Fort Serapong, travel up Serapong Hill Road. If you stop at the top of the hill, you will get a stunning view of the city below.<\/p>\n

If you would rather receive a guided tour of a well-maintained Singapore fort, then I recommend checking out The Battlebox<\/a>. It was built in the 1930’s and used as a British underground command center during WWII, but is now a museum with an impressive tour. The landscape on offer at Fort Canning alone makes the visit worthwhile.<\/p>\n

Try Some Fantastic Street Food<\/h3>\n

\"maxwell-road-singapore\"<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re visiting Singapore<\/strong>, then you must visit at least one Hawker Centre. Everyone has their favorite, and one of the most famous ones would have the be the one on Old Airport Road. Maxwell Road is another great place to visit if you want to sample a variety of local dishes. There are a few dishes I would recommend you try, including:<\/p>\n

Chili Crab<\/strong>: Large pieces of chopped crab deep fried and served with an excellent sauce made with chili, egg, tomatoes and various spices. You won\u2019t want to leave any of the sauce on the plate, so make sure you order a side of deep fried Chinese buns with that.<\/p>\n

Satay<\/strong>: If you\u2019re a fan of spicy peanut sauce, then satay is the dish for you. Choose from smoky marinated chicken, pork, or mutton grilled skewers, served with sauce and rice cakes.<\/p>\n

Nasi Lemak<\/strong>: I prefer the Malay version which is crispy fried fish, sweet and spicy chili, coconut milk, and lovely fluffy white rice. Get yours at Changi Village or Adam Road.<\/p>\n

\"nasi-lemak\"<\/p>\n

Visit Singapore!<\/h3>\n

I\u2019ve only mentioned a few reasons to visit this great country, but there are many more. Visit a password-only speakeasy bar<\/a>, camp out on a deserted island<\/a>, or kayak through a mangrove forest<\/a>; there is plenty on offer for people of all ages and interests.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s nothing quite like exploring a new country through the eyes of a tourist. Everything seems new, fun, interesting, and exciting. For those of us with the traveling bug, it\u2019s the most exhilarating experience imaginable. The problem? If you stick to your average guidebook, you\u2019ll be funneled through the dreaded tourist trap: fabricated \u2018authentic\u2019 restaurants [&hellip<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8013,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\nAn Insider\u2019s Guide To Singapore - Traveleurope Blog | Travel tips, advices and useful info<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.traveleurope.com\/en\/insiders-guide-singapore\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"An Insider\u2019s Guide To Singapore - Traveleurope Blog | Travel tips, advices and useful info\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There\u2019s nothing quite like exploring a new country through the eyes of a tourist. 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