TVFSTG: Singapore

Title pricture by the talented Chauvin Lum.

Singapore. What a fascinating and captivating place to be. When I was travelling through Southeast Asia, this was definitely the place I felt safest. With everything clean, neat and in order, Singapore didn’t give me the most – let’s say – adventurous feeling, but still I loved every day I got to spend in this melting pot of Asian cultures. Whilst the rest of my trip was one big, blurry adventure, Singapore had more of a chill vibe, at least for me, since big cities is where I function (and feel) best. This city (and country, weirdly enough) is a great place to go visit some art museums, then have a coffee, then take a walk, then have another coffee and spend the rest of your day people watching. Or get yourself an international magazine and try one of the many delicious vegan options all the Asian cuisines offered usually include. At least that is what I did. And I think it is safe to say that I discovered some pretty cool spots to check out when you are wandering around the city on your own, so let’s dive right into TVFSTG – to Singapore.

Eat

Project Acaí: A small food stall in one of the many malls around. It is not a cozy place at all to be honest, but the Acaí-Bowls I had there were amongst the best ones I have ever had. So whenever you are walking along Orchard Road to observe Singapore’s (and Malaysia’s) High Society shopping for their Gucci Sunglasses and Prada Bags, make sure to stop by for a delicious (and healthy!) snack.

 

Well Dressed Salad Bar: This café and – who’d have thought – salad bar is situated right in the heart of Chinatown. And while all the other restaurants there seem to offer something that has been deep fried and then drowned in soy sauce, Well Dressed has plenty of healthy vegan options. But why make your way to Chinatown just to get a salad, right? Right. You don’t just get salads there. Actually, Well Dressed has got every vegan’s back: With vegan burgers and a wonderful selection of vegan donuts and cakes. You can thank me later.

VeganBurg: It is for a reason that this place is a cold classic for every food blogger who ever set foot on the Singaporean island. At this all-vegan burger restaurant chain (with only two branches so far – one in Singapore and one in San Francisco) I had hands down the best – yes, I said it – the BEST vegan burger I have ever had in my life. And so far no one else’s burger managed to even come close to the one I had at VeganBurg. Sorry. And thank you VeganBurg. Please expand very, very soon.

GENESIS Vegan Restaurant: A very sleek and clean all-vegan restaurant close to Little India. When I arrived in Singapore I had my very first meal there – and was not dissappointed. For Singaporean standards the food was pretty affordable and GOOD. SO GOOD. Vegan dumplings? Chicken rice? All possible there. The owners are super sweet and also sell some health foods (which then again cost a fortune, but they are nice to look at 😉 )

Telok Ayer Market (Lau Pa Sat): A beautiful market hall that looks a bit misplaced amid all the tall glass-and-steel high-rises next to it. But if you manage to find the old one-story building even though the sun’s reflection in the surrounding office buildings is blinding you, you’ll be rewarded with outstandingly good food from all the different parts of the world. I opted for Dal at an Indian food stall – and it was dal-icious. Sorry.

Do

Gardens By The Bay: Okay. I am not being particularly innovative here. The Gardens are the number one tourist attraction in Singapore, but seriously, they are worth the hype. Just wander around one of the cleanest and most though-through parks you have ever seen (for free of course) and then take every dollar that might be left in your budget and pay the entrance fee to get a ticket to the Cloud Forest Dome. It is an out-of-his-world experience. But vegans beware: There is not a SINGLE food option around there that does not involve some kind of animal product. So bring a few bananas and nuts – or just have a big breakfast and then find yourself a snack at

Marina Bay Sands: The number one landmark in Singapore, this Hotel-Mall-Spa-Casino-Amusement Park-Restaurant-Observation Deck-Museum-Everything-You-Could-Possibly-Think-Of-Hybrid is an absolute must-do. Technically you could spend your entire day there. Look at all the stuff in the shops you can’t afford, get some expensive fruit or some avocado makis, marvel at the view you have from the Skydeck, feel poor and unsuccessful but yet happy and content that you do not have to retrieve your self-esteem from the designer label that decorates the frame of your glasses or a handbag that is the price of a family car. If you still feel like spending some money, make sure that it is well invested and pay for a ticket to the

ArtScience Museum: I was not blown away by the exhibits to be honest, but still greatly enjoyed the atmosphere and most of all the architecture of this futuristic, UFO-like building. If you want to see some really amazing contemporary art though, you should check out

Singapore Art Museum: Situated right across the street from SMU, the biggest business-school in Singapore, this art museum will make any art-lover’s heart jump. The exhibits are A-MA-ZING, well-curated and thoughtful, and there is not too many of them – just enough to spend a few hours exploring and then have a break at the Starbucks next door (because if anything, Starbucks always has soy milk, right?). Also the employees are beyond friendly and will answer any question you might have. Pro tip: On friday evenings from 6:00 pm admission is free. Good for poor, travelling art-enthusiasts like myself.

Kinokuniya: Oh my beloved Kinokuniya. We had our first encounter almost two years ago now in Sydney and an ongoing affair ever since. I saw Kinokuniya in Sydney, Kuala Lumpur and finally Singapore. In case you can’t tell already: It is by far my favorite bookstore ever. When you are alone and have plenty of time at hand, go and get lost between the endless aisles filled with every book about every topic you could ever think of. In Singapore, the store is also very conveniently located in the same mall as Project Acaí.

Sleep

Many of the travelers I met in Asia had already spent at least a few days in Singapore, and let me tell you: There seem to be some pretty dodgy places around there. So even if comparatively cheap prices or a great location may attract your attention, definetely always keep your eyes peeled for a place with good ratings. I found myself a pretty good hostel in Little India:

The Little Red Dot, 125 Lavender St, Singapore 338734

Yes, it is expensive for what it is, especially if you have spent the weeks before you came to Singapore in Cambodia, Vietnam or any other of those ridiculously cheap places. But it is safe, clean, you have your own little – let’s call it cubicle – which makes sharing the room with 20 other people more bearable. The staff is either super friendly or pretty rude, depending on who is working behind the front desk, but they give you tickets to all the main attractions at a discount. Also the WiFi is good, breakfast is provided and it is not too far into the city center. Depending on where you want to go it is between 4 and 5 kilometers, and since I love walking I found myself walking into the city and back to the hostel quite often. But no worries, the public transport (MRT) also brings you everywhere in minutes.

Alright. I think that’s it so far. Now all that is left for you to do is get the next flight to Singapore and spend a few beautiful days there. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.