Singapore: Maze-running around the “Little Red Dot”

Singapore may be among the smallest countries in the world yet its enormous progressiveness is truly a wonder. Once a simple fishing village, Singapore is now a bustling cosmopolitan city with high-rise buildings, landscape gardens, and man-made beaches. I got a chance to visit this island country just before the long Christmas holiday.

While it would be good to comprehensively explore the city in three days, I only had less than 24 hours to see the best Singapore has to offer.

I walked around Marina Bay to admire towering skyscrapers and see up close the iconic Merlion, a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish.

I proceeded to Sands Skypark Observation Deck to get a sweeping 360 degrees view of the Singapore skyline and the famous landmarks nearby such as the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Flyer, and Esplanade Theatres on the Bay.

I visited the Chinatown, and was surprised to find Sri Mariamman, a Hindu Temple. The entrance of the temple is intricately carved and the details are so amazing. Of course, there is also a Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, housing thousands of life-size and miniature Buddhas.

I get to try inexpensive Singaporean food at a hawker centre in Bugis.

I feasted on the sight of Doraemon at 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo pop-up store, Astro Boy at Mint Museum, and a sleek convertible just parked outside the National Museum.

From Vivo City, I took a train to Sentosa, an integrated resort for families offering key attractions including theme parks, hotels, casino, and beaches. I wish I had another day so I could enter the famed Universal Studios.

Marina Bay looks gorgeous at night. But no matter how alluring you are, goodbye for now.

I’m going home to Orchard Road, este Manila.