There are plenty of fab, fun things do in Singapore, and to make the most of them, do some prep before landing in the Lion City. We’ll ensure you have everything you need and are ready to embrace all that the eclectic city has to offer with this list of top things to do once you’ve booked flights and accommodations and you’re simply waiting for the adventure to begin.
Sling it
Make a Singapore Sling at home to get into the mindset. Recipes vary so experiment with gin, cherry brandy and various fruit juices (orange, pineapple or lime work well) to find the combination you like and see how it compares to one at the original Long Bar in Raffles Hotel Singapore, the place where the cocktail was first created.
Great savings
Start saving to indulge in super shopping experiences in one of the nation’s many malls. Shopping is almost a national pastime for Singaporeans, and it’s especially key if you visit during the Great Singapore Sale, which takes place in June and July and is when you will find amazing sales, promotions and giveaways. So turn out your closet to create space and get in the know on all the top trends so you can make the most of your Singapore shopping spree.
Boots made for walking
There are plenty of walking tours to do in the city or, for the more adventurous, lots of outdoors options and hiking trails, so don’t forget to pack a pair of sporty shoes or walking boots if you plan on getting out and about.
Quit chewing
Leave the chewing gum at home as it’s illegal in Singapore. So are firecrackers, drugs, porn, gun-shaped cigarette lighters, endangered species and their byproducts, pirated recordings and publications, toy currency and coins and drugs, in case you were thinking of bringing any of those in with you too.
Get In-dia mood
Watch some Bollywood to get you in the mood for a wander through Little India. You’ll know all the moves when those foot-tapping, hip-jiggling tunes blast from the shophouses in this hub for Indians, Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans.
Plug in
To ensure your electrical appliances work without a hitch, be sure to purchase a transformer or adapter to convert to a three-pronged, square-pin variety, as used in Malaysia, Hong Kong and the U.K.
Work up an appetite
Singaporeans love to eat and there are plenty of culinary delights on offer in the Lion City so work on building up that appetite — whether that means getting to the gym or sampling some Singaporean delicacies at home to get your mouth watering in anticipation of what’s to come.
Go fast
Are you visiting during Singapore’s Formula 1? It’s an important fixture on the F1 calendar as the first street circuit in Asia and the inaugural F1 night race, but earplugs are most certainly required – the buzz of car engines as they hurtle round tight corners is almost deafening. Gentle head-turning exercises may be worthwhile to keep from cricking your neck as the cars go round for the 61st and final time.
Tune in
KTV is big in Singapore so you’ll want to make sure your singing voice is at the ready for a late night on the mic at karaoke. Sing in the shower, bop along to tunes on your way to work or hit up a concert or two and make sure those vocal chords are ready for a challenge and you’re up to singing your heart out.
Double up
Pack a sarong or scarf that can double up as a picnic rug as there are plenty of outdoor areas to lie down in the grass and relax or have a picnic, whether you’re chilling out in the Botanic Gardens or island hopping. It will also come in handy in the air-conditioned environments if you’re feeling a little chilly.
Always wear sunscreen
Outdoors it’s hot, hot, hot year round in Singapore so be prepared for the heat and humidity. Pack light clothes but also a wrap or two for the cooler indoor climes. In the heat around water you’ll often find mosquitoes too so repellent is also a smart idea.
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Bring a brolly
It often rains in the afternoons – or in fact unexpectedly at any time of the day – so having a small umbrella in your bag could prove useful. Imagine rainy season in short, sharp bursts and you’ll know how to come prepared. In preparation, jump into the shower at intervals throughout the day to get ready for the sporadic bursts of rain.
Fly high
Ensure any vertigo is under control in anticipation of a visit to the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, set 200-metres above ground. Scale some of Manila’s taller buildings to get in the mood for heights.
See in the dark
Ready yourself for Singapore’s Night Safari by doing things in the dark. Life in Singapore is just as vibrant after the dark so you’ll need to become a bit of night owl too. Practice staying up late for starters, though you’ll also want to become accustomed to the dark to make sure your eyes are adjusted and you don’t miss any of the safari’s animals — or anything else when it comes to post-sunset activities.
Don’t forget your passport
But don’t worry about a visa. With a Filipino passport you’ll be granted 30 days on entry into Singapore.
Feature image: Erwin Soo, The Singapore Merlion at the Bay, Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0
Slider image: Chensiyuan, Singapore city skyline, via Wikimedia Commons GFDL
