Know where to look and you’ll fall in love with Singapore, writes Farah Harith
MENTION romance and one would assume it has to be between a couple in love. This is not necessarily true. An avid traveller knows that “romancing a city” is quite possible, especially when you’re in a city that exudes charm and magic, if you know where to look.
It’s December, which means it’s the holiday season. If you’re looking for a quick escape oraplace to bring the kids, there is no need to look far. It is no secret that Singapore hasalot to offer when it comes to theme park attractions or touristy fun, but look beyond the modern offerings and you will find more to love in the Lion City.
With its rich history everywhere, the island city is begging for you to reach out, take its hand and twirl to the beat of music only you can hear.
Does this sound like the Singapore you know?At first, this was not what I expected upon landing in Singapore after a good 10 years of not making a trip across the border.
With “romance” promised, I did not expect at the time that this meant falling in love with the city. After all, how much different can things be? The truth, however, is that loving Singapore means knowing where to look.
LOOK BEYOND
There is a little something for everyone.
This is the best way to describe Singapore. I always look for the hidden treasures whenever I travel. And there is nothing quite like uncovering the uniqueness ofacity when exploring alone.
Singapore’s Bras Basah, for example, is a nice spot for shopping, if you’re looking for a place that is not as crowded as Orchard Road. But that is not all there is to Bras Basah.
It is an area that gives life to art, be it modern or conventional, but it gives a different feel to the city many associate with progress and development. To start off your journey in Bras Basah, the Rendezvous Hotel is a good place to set up base.
Located at the corner of Bras Basah Road and Prinsep Street, it is the perfect location to begin exploring the area deemed as the arts and heritage district of Singapore.
For the creative souls, Bras Basah provides an excellent landscape to let your mind wander and simply get lost in observing its architecture or the art students who go about their daily lives in the area. Look beyond the shopping malls and you will see the how design and art are empowered within its walls.
The surrounding area is home to art schools and is liven up occasionally with live music. Watching folks return from work, unfazed by the creative souls walking amidst them or banging on their drums as an expression of their feelings is an experience in itself.
There is something to capture in every corner and of course, something to fall in love with even if you don’t necessarily identify as a creative individual.
Art is universal and is able to communicate even with the hardest of hearts. All you have to do is allow yourself to listen and something will make you turn in amazement. Be it the unique architecture or the characters you encounter as you traverse through the streets of this part of the city.
I discover that falling in love with the city’s uniqueness made romancing the city flow naturally, just like falling in love with a childhood friend after years of simply being friends.
That’s what Singapore is really. An old friend you don’t think much about, but once you allow yourself the opportunity to get close, you discover that falling in love comes as naturally as breathing.
FAMILIAR GROUND
Moving on to the city’s most popular shopping destination, it is not impossible to be part of the crowd yet still able to immerse yourself in Orchard Road’s charm, making you fall in love over and over again.
To do this, staying at the Orchard Rendezvous Hotel provides a good start as it is situated where the road begins (or ends).
An old hotel refurbished to keep up with the times, Orchard Rendezvous was once known as Orchard Parade and because it has been around for quite some time, the rooms are relatively bigger than the newer more modern hotels. The rooms are perfect for families as they also provide rooms with bunk beds. The upgrading works retains the hotel’s old school charm, while incorporating the needs of a modern-day traveller.
From Orchard Rendezvous, the entire street is at your feet, with shopping malls aplenty and food options are abundant. Find a quiet cafe and watch the people go by or get transported to a magical Disney adventure with its Christmas decoration this year-end. There is something in this bustling city for shopaholics or soul searchers. You just have to know where to look.
Feeling melancholic but still want to get inthe sights? Take a walk near the Merlion and you’ll get a taste of being a typical tourist and a quiet observer all in one place. A morning stroll as you take in the beautiful modern architecture that frames the picturesque Merlion is a memory to treasure indeed.
PERFECT FOR FAMILY
FORMERLY known as the Orchard Parade Hotel, Orchard Rendezvous has gone through a transformation to cater to the ever-growing needs of the city’smost famous shopping street. It is conveniently located where the street begins (or ends) and is the perfect spot to stay if you’re looking to soak up as much as you can of Orchard Road during your stay in the Lion City.
While the cafes within this particular Rendezvous hotel are not halal certified, Orchard Road has a lot to offer to satisfy your palate. The hotel has bigger rooms than the rest, and is perfect for families with children.
FAST FACTS
ORCHARD RENDEZVOUS HOTEL
1, Tanglin Road, Singapore
TEL +6568818888
EMAIL: reseasy@fareast.com.sg
WEBSITE www.rendezvoushotels.com.sg
STAY 388 rooms; Superior, Deluxe, Deluxe Plus Family, Club and Suite rooms. Club rooms come with access to the Club Lounge with plenty of perks including refreshments throughout the day.
EAT Japanese restaurant Akanoya Robatayaki opens daily from 6.30pm to 1.30am.
DO The pool comes complete with a set of cabanas and poolside bar, there is a lobby bar which opens daily from 8am to 10.30pm, and a gym if you’re looking to stay fit while on holiday
GO Start by exploring the Singapore Botanic Gardens which is a 15-minute walk away, or if you’re eager to get some shopping done, Orchard Road is just footsteps away from the hotel’s entrance. For music lovers, Hard Rock Cafe Singapore is also within walking distance from the hotel.
HIGHS Free WiFi, clean and comfortable rooms, location, friendly and helpful staff
LOWS Its food outlet is not halal certified, rooms a bit on the pricey side
OLD AND NEW
Not wanting to leave Singapore without at least setting foot in the one street where Malaysia’s legend had his start, I venture to the other side of Singapore’s modern offerings. Jalan Ampas.
No Malay film afficionado can say the mere sight of this street’s signboard doesn’t make their heart skip a beat. As I walk down the street looking for the famous Shaw Studio, things turn “black and white” in my mind.
I picture the lateTan Sri P.Ramlee walking the same path I am taking. I see Aziz Sattar and S. Shamsudin laughing as they head in for work. And then I see the studio lot. It doesn’t matter that it is all boarded up, closed and appears unwelcoming.
It is not important because I am able to stand where the greats once stood and went about their lives, making movies
that will be cherished for years down the road. If you like a little bit of nostalgia in your trip, make sure you take a walk along Jalan Ampas. I can assure you things will turn “black and white” the moment you see the signboard.
The area where Jalan Ampas is located — the stretch of Balestier Road — is old Singapore at its best. Imagine 60s Kuala Lumpur and current Kuala Lumpur alive at the same time. That is the conclusion that I was able to draw in summing up Singapore.
Balestier retains its old world charm while not forgetting to embrace modern times. There is something Instagrammable wherever you turn, you just need to see things with your heart and a dose of imagination.
Moving on to what makes Singapore alive at night, the music scene is one that deserves a rather significant mention. With Singapore having been the home to many Malaysian artistes from the good old days of Shaw, I believe the magic of making art spread throughout the city, and lives on until today.
The live bands that perform in the many clubs all over Singapore should not be missed. To start your night, a trip to Clarke Quay is not just advised, it is necessary if music flows through your veins as it does mine.
Various pubs and clubs are scattered throughout the open area making clubhopping a joy, especially if like me, you’re not so much a fan of “hopping” far. If you happen to be in the area, ask around for Chris&Diana. The husband and wife singing duo are, without a doubt, the best way to complete your romancewith Singapore.
HOME FOR CREATIVE SOULS
THE Rendezvous Hotel, Bras Basah is conveniently situated close to Plaza Singapura and The Cathay shopping mall. There is also a convenience store next door and you will not have any problems looking for food. The only problem is deciding what to eat as choices are aplenty.
With its Straits Cafe halal certified, this earns the hotel a plus point especially for Muslim travellers.The hotel embraces the arts and heritage element of Bras Basah in its interior, which means your experience doesn’t end just because you are no longer traversing the streets outside.
Its beautifully furnished rooms brings a whole new meaning to rest and relaxation, making the experience inside just as meaningful as the one you will get outdoors.
FAST FACTS
RENDEZVOUS HOTEL, BRAS BASAH
9, Bras Basah Road, Singapore
TEL: +6568818888
EMAIL:reseasy@fareast.com.sg
WEBSITE: www.rendezvoushotels.com.sg
STAY 298 rooms; Superior, Deluxe, Deluxe Plus, Club Room, Junior Suite, Executive Suite; Club rooms come with access to the Club Lounge with plenty of perks including refreshments throughout the day.
EAT Straits Cafe (halal-certified) with a wide array of delicacies to choose from in its breakfast buffet, The Library offers predinner cocktails and is open daily from noon to 11pm.
DO The gym is open 24 hours and there is also a swimming pool to cool off on a hot day
GO Cathay Shopping Mall, Plaza Singapura for those who want to shop, the hotel is also just a four-minute walk to the Singapore Art Museum.
HIGHS The hotel provides a Handy Phone during your stay, which comes with mobile Internet access and complimentary calls to six countries, halal cafe is a plus point for Muslim travellers.
LOWS A bit on the pricey side, rooms are smaller and may not be suitable for big families.
XMAS IN SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE'S most anticipated year-end festive event, Christmas Wonderland, is now in full swing until Dec 26.
Landmarked by Asia's tallest luminarie Christmas tree at the entrance of Gardens by the Bay, the event sees the debut of a stunning seven-storey high luminarie mirror maze, a spectacular magic show by world-class illusionist RobLake as well as a new Garden Rhapsody —The Christmas Special light and sound show at Supertree Grove.
Other Christmas Wonderland highlights include a bigger Santa's Grotto which boasts a mesmerising kinetic light installation from Germany, Singapore's largest outdoor skating rink specially flown in from Switzerland, as well as crowd-favourite Blizzard Time, which enables visitors to experience "snow" in the tropics.
Unique gifts and treats are also in store at the Festive Market for visitors to enjoy while food aficionados can head to Slice of SAVOUR to indulge in more exciting culinary offerings.
Visitors can also look forward to free choral performances and Yuletide Sessions featuring a myriad of talents including Joanna Dong, Rani Singam and Andrew Lim and have a go at the carnival rides and games.
FAST FACTS
CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND 2018
Gardens by the Bay
8 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore
WEBSITE www.christmaswonderland.sg
HOURS 4pm to 11pm daily
PAY S$8 (RM24) online or S$10 onsite. Entry is complimentary for up to two children under 0.9m for each paying adult. Additional charges apply for some attractions within the fair.