A Singapore Sling

East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet – unless the place happens to be Singapore. From a tiny fishing town, Singapore has transformed itself without a single resource of its own into a commercial fulcrum between these two worlds. Sir Stamford Raffles of the East India Company who established a tiny trading post on the island must have had a prophetic vision that has today become a reality.

As soon as one steps out of the welcoming embrace of Changi Airport one is transported to an urban utopia of well-manicured freeways, greenery and massive malls which combine the best of three diverse cultures – Indian, Malay and Chinese – along with modernity. On the way from the airport towards Orchard Road, we passed Little India, the enclave of the Indian community which spreads out on either side of Serangoon Road, one of the oldest roads in  Singapore. No bargain hunter should leave without making at least one trip to Mustafa’s shop, an Aladdin’s cave of goodies.  

For the avid shopper there is no better place than Orchard Road with its mesmerizing malls like CK Tang, the original Singapore department store; Centrepoint; Ngee An City; and Isetan , the Japanese retailing giant. Asia’s biggest shopping mall, Suntec City, is also worth a visit, though be warned – it’s easy to get lost there! Chinatown is the perfect place for visitors in search of traditional Chinese handicarafts and the Tanglin Shopping Mall on Orchard Street is a treasure trove of Asian antiques.

Singapore is a dream come true for the gourmand. At the kopitiams or coffee shops one can taste Hakka, Cantonese, Takchew, Hokkien and Hainanese food. The Hainanese speciality, “chicken rice” is found all over the island and is a light, satisfying meal during sightseeing. The food courts provide a diverse range of cuisines. Another gastronomic highlight would be East Coast Seafood Park – a spread of restaurants adjoining the Singapore River that would probably take days to explore.

A cable car ride to Sentosa Island is a must and one has the option of dining in the cable car by moonlight. Underwater Word and Dolphin Lagoon are an exciting experience – worthwhile for both adults and kids. There is also a well-thought out museum that flawlessly showcases Singapore’s history. Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are great places to chill out with a fine mix of al fresco dining, bars and pubs lining the Singapore River. The Chinese junks (tongkangs) are a great option for eating out. To round it off you could drop in at that well-known landmark, Raffles Hotel, and down a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar where it was first concocted!