To make good prawn noodle soup you need a variety of fresh ingredients. Throw them in a pot and simmer over low heat, till it’s thickened. Singapore is much like prawn noodle soup: vibrant, fresh and full of flavor. It’s a hearty meal for any traveler. 

The island of Singapore is small and 5.4 million people call it home. There are Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians.

It’s been a strategic trade port for many years, so the food is diverse. You can enjoy an English high tea at Raffles hotel, Japanese green tea ice cream at Clarke Quay or a Hainanese Chicken Rice at any local hawker stall. Singapore’s rice bowl is full to overflowing. If you were to eat at every single restaurant it would take you two years to complete the lot.

Getting to all these hot spots can be daunting to the intrepid traveler. Besides, spoken English or ‘Singlish’ can be puzzling; with seemingly random words like ‘one, already and also-can’ attached to every other word. But you needn’t worry, everything is signposted. So getting around is a breeze.

Transport is well integrated. Buses (affordable) and taxis (starts at three dollars) are plentiful. But the train system is the pièce de résistance. Fully automated, spotless and inexpensive, they will take you everywhere, and fast.  It’s maintained by imposing regulations so it’s important to always read the warnings. Eating on public transport, littering and J-walking can land you in the cop shed. Changi airport has lots of information on the dos and don’ts, so grab a copy.

When you’re not busy toeing the line, Singapore has a variety of attractions for you. Thrill seeking travelers should look to Universal Studios for their adrenaline fix. Rides like Transformers 3D will make you wish you had emptied your bladder and given that last prawn dumpling to your friend. You can also keep an eye out for the Singapore Grand Prix, held each year around September.

The Night Safari puts a fresh spin on the conventional Zoo. The park opens at 5.30 pm and closes around midnight. It’s around 99 acres and home to about a thousand animals; from tapir to clouded leopard. You get a guided tour of their nocturnal world and its wheelchair and children friendly. So hop to it.

The Singapore ArtScience museum showcases artifacts from movie sets to ancient crypts. You can buy your own wand at the Harry Potter exhibit or a scarab beetle necklace at the Ancient Egypt exhibit. But keep track of the show dates. You can visit the Marina Bay Sands website to buy tickets.   

You can always get away from city-claustrophobia. The ‘Super-trees’ at Gardens by the Bay reach fifty feet. These man-made structures are vertical gardens that generate solar power.  So at night, these trees come to life. If you feel it’s too high you can always return to earth and have a pick-me-up at any one of the late night hangouts that line the Bay.  Nightlife is also hugely popular around Clark Quay.

Singaporeans love to shop. Mustafa’s is open 24/7 and sells everything from Sarees to engine oil. 

Big labels like Dior and Mango, high-street fashion like Zara and Top Shop, and quirky boutiques in Far East Plaza, will fill the heart and closet of any demanding diva.  And it’s always fun to visit Arab Street and China town for more exotic fare. 

So why not get away for the weekend? Visit Singapore and treat yourself to a bowl of hot prawn noodle soup, you won’t regret it. 

By Hasuli Dias