Singapore at Night

The island city-state of Singapore makes for a fascinating visit. With a population of nearly six million, it is one of the most densely populated countries.  However, green spaces abound and the nation prides itself on being 'clean and green.' 

The heartbeat of a city seems to tick differently at night, and Singapore is certainly no exception. One popular Hawkers Market expands into a nearby street come nightfall, with chairs and tables quickly assembled and organized. Within minutes, every space is filled, orders are taken, and the fun begins.

 

                  Photo of the Marina Bay Sands. The rocks are illuminated works by a noted artist.

 

                     A photo from the pedestrian walkway beneath the bridge near the Fullerton Bay Hotel.

                                                       Victoria Concert Hall after sundown.

                                                         The original Fullerton, illuminated.

 

SIngapore: Battlebox and the legendary bars of the Raffles hotel

 

Battlebox was the command post of he British during WWII as they defended against a Japanese assault. Twenty-eight rooms sprawl through the underground complex, and the bunker recreation is eerie and poignant. It is easy to imagine the increasing desperation of the British as they spiraled to an unconditional surrender to the Japanese on February 15, 1942.

                                             Below is the escape hatch from the bunker complex. 

                               Historical plaques convey helpful information about the battle for Singapore.

 

On a far lighter note, no visit to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel. The Singapore Sling was invented there, and when in Singapore...

 Another bar at Raffles is the Writers Bar, known for its extensive cocktail list with pages dedicated to famed authors who stayed at the hotel. I'm not getting a page of my own, but I did have a nice picture. The title of my novel would make a great name for a cocktail!!

Public Artwork, the Asian Civilization Museum, and the National Gallery

 Museums and artwork abound throughout Singapore. The iconic Merlion, a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, is a must-see for visitors to the city-state.

 

                       The beautiful Victoria concert hall is the oldest concert hall in Singapore.

 

The Asian Civilizations Museum is compact but fascinating, as it explores the cultural connections forged as Singapore emerged as an important port city.

The display of pottery below was part of the Tang Shipwreck, recovered in 1998 in the Java Sea southeast of Singapore. More than 60,000 pieces of pottery, manufactured in China during the Tang dynasty, were recovered.

                                                                    Museum exterior

The National Gallery is interesting not only because of its art collection, but also the beautiful aluminum and glass atrium which unites former buildings of the Supreme Court. Below is a sculpture suspended in the atrium.

 

Today, the museum houses collections featuring Singaporean art from the 19th century, as well as modern art from the greater Southeast Asian region.

Another example of public art, this piece is located near the pedestrian bridge which leads from the Asian Civilization Museum to the original Fullerton Hotel.                                                                                 

Singapore: Chinatown, Arab Street, and Little India

Singapore is a fascinating blend of cultures, religions, and languages. Although there are four official languages, uniting everyone is the English language, which is used in schools and enables everyone to communicate. Chinatown is known for its beautifully preserved architecture, striking temples, and bustling food markets, or 'hawker' stands, offering a wide variety of delicious food. 

Many of the homes are referred to as Peranakan heritage homes, the term denoting descendants of the first Chinese settlers who intermarried with the indigenous people.

Kampong Glam, or Arab Street, is not as large as Chinatown or Little India, but features an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and shops. Dominating the skyline is the impressive Sultan Mosque, the largest in Singapore.

Little India is a frenetic street scene of markets, jewelry shops specializing in gold, and more than one stunning temple.

It is definitely possible to visit all three neighborhoods in one day, although make sure to check when the Sultan Mosque is open to non-Muslims if you are of another faith.
 

Singapore: Riverfront and Sentosa Island

 

The modern architecture is perhaps what first strikes a visitor to Singapore. From the lobby of the Fullerton Bay Hotel, above, to the Apple Store that seems afloat in the harbor, the effect is almost surreal.

The iconic Marina Bay Sands is fantastical, particularly at night when the lights of the building are reflected in the dark water below. The complex, opened in 2010, houses a @2,500-room hotel, a convention/exhibition center of more than 1,000,000 square feet, an 800,000 square foot mall, a museum, a casino, several restaurants, and more....

                        The original Fullerton Hotel, once a post office, gleams under evening lights.

                               

The famed Whiskey Bar at the Fullerton has an extensive menu featuring the popular libation. It is very easy to spend too much time there!

The lights on Marina Bay Sands shift color constantly, and there is an illuminated water fountain show every evening.

Popular Sentosa Island is an easy getaway for locals, and reachable via cable car over the Keppel Harbor channel. More than 25 million visitors a year enjoy the islands beaches, casino, 14 hotels, multiple restaurants, and a variety of amusements.

                                           Intricate designs and floral gardens line the path to the beach.

                                                              Aerial view of the water park.