On the way home to the Philippines for the holidays, I managed to squeeze in a two-night stopover in Singapore. My mate PhoneMaw was kind enough to let me crash at his place, which saved me from burning money on a hotel.
Arriving in Singapore
Changi Airport never gets old. Even if you're just transiting, the place feels like its own city — clean, efficient, and somehow not soulless despite being an airport. The MRT from Changi to the city is seamless, which is more than I can say for Sydney's airport connections.
Stepping out into the Singapore heat after leaving an air-conditioned plane is always a shock, no matter how many times you've done it.
First Stop: Food
Singapore's hawker centres are legendary, and for good reason. We hit up a local spot near PhoneMaw's and I immediately remembered why Southeast Asian food hits different. The flavours are bold, the portions are generous, and the prices make you wonder how restaurants back home get away with charging what they do.
Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow, and a cold Tiger beer — the holy trinity of a proper Singapore meal.
Getting Around
The MRT system is world-class. Clean, fast, cheap, and air-conditioned. Sydney could learn a thing or two. We hopped between a few neighbourhoods without any hassle, which meant more time eating and less time navigating.
Marina Bay
No trip to Singapore is complete without seeing Marina Bay at night. The skyline lit up against the water is genuinely impressive, even if you're not usually into touristy sights. The Gardens by the Bay Supertrees are worth the walk — they look like something out of a sci-fi film.
Day 1 Wrap
A solid first day. Good food, good company, and a city that just works. Singapore has this way of feeling efficient without feeling sterile — there's character here if you know where to look. Looking forward to seeing what Day 2 brings.
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