I am a 32 year-old European and I wanted to visit an Asian state. I believe that each Asian city is special and differs from any European one. I would definitely like to visit them all, but for now I had to start with a destination. One morning I woke up and remembered that my friend from Singapore invited me several times to visit his home country. This was it! Singapore was to be my first destination.
I took two weeks off and started to do my luggage. About my travel from Bucharest, Romania to Singapore I’ll tell you another time. Here I want to tell how I explored the best of Marina Bay in only one day. First of all, for those who don’t know what Marina Bay is, it’s an amazing bay located in the southern part of Singapore, near the Central Area. It has a lot of interesting places, such as gardens, casino, museums, shopping stores, restaurants, etc; all these come together with grandees and spectacular views, especially in the evening.
I made a reservation in Carlton City Hotel near Chinatown. I had a wonderful sleep and at 7am, the gentle sun woke me up. Having had a refreshing breakfast and not wasting any time, I called up my dearest local friend. We agreed to meet at Bayfront MRT station at 9am.
I was very excited because I was ready to explore the best of Marina Bay without planning and worries, all I had to do was reaching one station and meet a friend. I left the hotel with a huge smile and started to walk to the meeting point. I could easily take a cab, but I wanted to see each street, intersection and building.
I reached the Upper Cross Street and had to walk 6 intersections. Having passed through the Central Boulevard and Bayfront Avenue, I finally reached the Bayfront station. The entire morning walk was inspiring and nice. The amazing infrastructure and the decorated streets with flowers made my morning.
I waited only a few minutes and Darryl was in front of me. I entrusted my entire Singapore experience to him, not only because he is local, but because he works as a city guide. I was sure that he will lead, direct and advise me in the best way possible. He planned our day so good, that we managed to visit each Marina Bay’s corner and I was more than satisfied!
The following are the places that Darryl specially customized for me. I hope you’ll gain some inspirations from reading my experience.
9:05am ~ 9:30am
Took a panoramic view of Marina bay at Waterfront Promenade
9:35am ~ 10:15am
Window shopping at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
10:20am ~ 11:25am
Had a few games at the casino
11:30am ~ 12:35pm
Had an early buffet lunch at Todai Restaurant
12:35pm
Leave for Gardens by the Bay to visit the next 3 attractions
12:50pm ~ 2:35pm
Visit the Flower Dome
2:40pm ~ 4:25pm
Visit the Cloud Forest Dome
4:30pm ~ 5:00pm
Take a scroll along the 22m high OCBC skyway at SuperTree Grove
5:15pm ~ 6:05pm
Visit Singapore Artscience Museum
6:20pm ~ 7:40pm
Dinner buffet at the Rise Restaurant
7:45pm ~ 8:20pm
Grab a free seat and wait for the Wonder Full Light and Water Show
8:30pm ~ 9:20pm
Get a panoramic view of Singapore at the skypark
9:30pm
Walked to Promenade MRT station via The Helix Bridge
I will try to describe every detail, so you could teleport next to us and have the same positive emotions. Or, in case you would like to explore Marina Bay, you can get inspired by our very well organized and successful experience.
On our 5-min walk to Waterfront Promenade we had a brief conversation about us and our families. I found out that Darryl will marry in the next summer with one special lady. And I told him that I have a 2-year relationship and I may ask her to marry me. Our personal lives are great and we started our little and magical journey. It was a pleasure strolling around promenade.My friend told me that this 3.5km waterfront promenade was completed in 2010 that links attractions at the Marina Centre, Collyer Quay and Bayfront. We took a panoramic view of Marina Bay and different views of the city in that well maintained walkway. My friend kept entertaining me with different details including the composition and structure.
Besides the fact that we had a tropical walk with flowering shrubs and shaded trees and interacted with other tourists, I felt like a kid especially when I was near the fountain; I just ran to it and began to play with it. I put my hand in water and splashed my friend. Throughout the day I had many childish behaviors, but I am not ashamed about this especially after 3 years of working without vacation. I said to myself. “You worked hard to earn money for this journey, so take everything you can from it and have fun!”
Waterfront Promenade
Marina Bay Sands was our next destination. Of course all the time we took photos; we tried to catch different views and buildings. I like to have in my PC different folders with places I’ve been so when I miss a vacation I open any folder and photos help me to relive that moments and emotions. This little memory-therapy charges my batteries and gives my power to work harder and to gain money for other trips.At 9:35am we reached The Shoppes. This world class shopping mall is huge and the layout utilizing the nature light is amazingly pleasing to stroll along. We saw tourists were looking at the map and head straight to what they needed to buy.
As the original upscale type stores were too expensive for my pocket I decided to just window shopping. I was browsing shops without intending to buy anything that time. I was looking at different products from books, clothes, underwear, bags, and shoes to electronics not intending to purchase. It was kind of an amusing experience. I was staring at one sweater for my girlfriend and when I saw the price ($475) I told the saleswoman that it is an old-style one and that the color is too pale. Whew…I felt like a stylist and all I wanted was not to buy it!
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
At 10:20am, Darryl brought me to the main entrance of Marina Bay Sands Casino. I think this is the place to lose some money. At the entrance I had to show my passport to gain free entrance. Surprisingly, this is Darryl’s first visit to the casino as he told me that since he needed to pay $100 for the entrance as a Singaporean, he decided to spend it while I was with him. What a friend!We both like poker machines, rapid roulette and table games so we decided to play a few games. With the budget of $200, I began with rapid roulette. This is played the same way as traditional roulette; the only difference is that you play at one individual terminal and place your bets on a touch screen. As I love the world of electronic games I think this roulette was fast, fun and easy to play at the privacy of my own touch screen.
After half an hour and losing $50 I decided to play poker machine. I lost another $75. Maybe you’ll ask me why I can afford to lose money in a casino instead of buying something for my girlfriend. The answer is so simple: As a man I feel much better in a gentleman ambiance – casino and a whiskey in one hand, rather than shopping something. Ladies can enjoy a shopping therapy and men a casino session- in both ways money is spent in a pleasant way!
Marina Bay Sands Casino
At 11:30am, my stomach made some noise that we decided to take an early lunch at the food court next to Crystal Pavilion South – Todai, in The Shoppes. At this “all you can eat” restaurant I paid only $42 for shrimps, lobster, calamari, carp, seaweed and sushi buffet, plus one caramel tea.They offer international seafood dishes and a large variety of soft drinks, coffee, Teh Tarik and Tea. Darryl warned me that our day will be very busy and recommended to eat as much as my stomach can take. This wasn’t a problem, because I eat a lot every time, especially when it comes to seafood.
As soon as we finished our meal we moved further.
Todai @ Marina Bay Sands
A walk is necessary for me after every meal. And my dearest Darryl thinks the same. So, at 12:35pm we left the urban part of Marina Bay – the Sands in order to enjoy its natural side – the Garden.The fact that Singapore’s government wants to enhance flora and greenery in the city in order to raise the quality of live is very positive. With time this garden city will transform in a “city in a garden”. I would like to convince you to visit this amazing city and if you like nature, colors, flowers and unique floral arrangements you have to visit Gardens by the Bay.
This 101 hectares park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden. Darryl said that we will visit 3 attractions there: the Flower Dome, the Cloud Forest Dome and the SuperTree Grove. I can say that each attraction was so refreshingly cool and we could smell its fresh air before even entering.
Gardens By The Bay
A walk is necessary for me after every meal. And my dearest Darryl thinks the same. So, at 12:35pm we left the urban part of Marina Bay – the Sands in order to enjoy its natural side – the Garden.The fact that Singapore’s government wants to enhance flora and greenery in the city in order to raise the quality of live is very positive. With time this garden city will transform in a “city in a garden”. I would like to convince you to visit this amazing city and if you like nature, colors, flowers and unique floral arrangements you have to visit Gardens by the Bay.
This 101 hectares park consists of three waterfront gardens: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden. Darryl said that we will visit 3 attractions there: the Flower Dome, the Cloud Forest Dome and the SuperTree Grove. I can say that each attraction was so refreshingly cool and we could smell its fresh air before even entering.