No matter how much you prepare for your journey, Singapore is going to surprise you. The tiny island nation is a unique place, with new and unexpected experiences with every visit. Perhaps it has something to do with the country's remarkable history. Celebrating its golden anniversary in 2015, Singapore has transformed itself from third-world outpost to first-world powerhouse, yet the ethos of both worlds continues to thrive.
A stroll through Kampong Glam illustrates this phenomenon. The skyline is punctuated by the stately golden domes of the Sultan Mosque, one of the biggest religious structures in Singapore. Traditional fabric and carpet shops, as well as an array of Halal restaurants, line the bustling streets. It is a scene that has changed little over the past century. Walk just a block south-west of Arab Street, and suddenly you're in one of Singapore's newest, hippest enclaves. Haji Lane thrums with creative energy, and as you move past graffiti-inspired murals on pre-war shop-houses, you'll encounter fashion boutiques showcasing contemporary designers, offbeat cafés, trendy restaurants and dozens of other hangouts that explore the island's traditional aesthetic - and push it to the limit.
One of Singapore's newest and most popular attractions is the 101-hectare Gardens by the Bay, a fusion of otherworldly architecture and 32,000 plants from every continent on Earth, save Antarctica. Intriguingly, the gardens' spectacular Supertrees aren't trees at all; they are vertical gardens rising up to 50 metres skyward, collecting rainwater and harvesting solar energy while replicating the ecological functions of trees through their environmentally sustainable features. A suspended walkway between two of the structures offers a bird's-eye view of this extraordinary ecosystem, especially at night.
Glance up and you'll see the stunning Marina Bay Sands. Take the elevator to the Sands Skypark on the 57 th floor to view the rest of Singapore from an entirely different perspective.
Little India offers a different kind of luxury - one of cultural authenticity. Meander through its exotic lanes, your journey enhanced by the rhythm of Bollywood music and the soft scent of sandalwood. You'll discover shops selling colourful Indian spices, women making jasmine garlands and temples adorned with the colourful pantheon of Hindu deities.
Another pleasant surprise is how easy it is to get around Singapore without your own wheels. The clean and efficient Mass Rapid Transit system (MRT) will deliver you to prime destinations all across the country - including to and from Changi Airport. A bus stop is never more than a short walk from where you are or where you want to go. And you can easily flag down one of the 27,000 taxis, which are affordable and reliable.
Then again, you could do something completely unpredictable: rent a Japanese postie's bicycle and have a leisurely pedal along the Whampoa river. To do so, drop by Wheeler's Yard, an artisanal bicycle shop located in an old warehouse just off Balestier Road. The industrial-chic interior is surprisingly convivial, which makes a meal at the in-house café all the more memorable.
Singapore is a land of iconic attractions and hidden gems; of natural beauty and man-made marvels; of ethnic diversity and national pride. In short, it is a place where the most profoundly moving experiences are often the most unexpected. One thing, however, is certain: when you visit Singapore, you're in for a surprise.
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