In October 2025, Albert casually floated the idea of flying to Singapore over American Thanksgiving for a collectors event. Singapore had been sitting at the very top of my bucket list for nearly a decade, so once I checked our calendar and realized we could make it work, there was no hesitation and we booked it immediately.
Before I dive into our experience, it helps to understand what Singapore actually is, because it’s unlike anywhere else. Singapore is a small but incredibly powerful city-state in Southeast Asia, known for its rare blend of cultures, religions, and traditions living in harmony. With deep roots in Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western influences, Singapore feels both ancient and futuristic at the same time. It’s one of the cleanest, safest, and most efficiently run places in the world, yet it never feels sterile.
The country has four official languages, English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, which perfectly reflects its multicultural identity. From hawker stalls and traditional Chinese medicine shops to cutting-edge architecture and luxury experiences, Singapore has mastered the art of preserving heritage while constantly evolving, which is exactly what makes it so captivating.
Upon landing in Singapore on Singapore Air and gathering our luggage, we went straight to the Jewel Vortex, and I was instantly in awe. I don’t say this lightly: Singapore Changi Airport is an experience in and of itself. Beyond being one of the most efficient airports in the world, it’s filled with lush indoor gardens, butterfly sanctuaries, art installations, shopping, dining, and the iconic indoor waterfall at Jewel. It set the tone immediately, I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.
After checking into Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore, we wasted no time in order to avoid any jet lag issues. We walked from the hotel directly across the Helix Bridge toward Marina Bay Sands, eventually arriving at Gardens by the Bay – one of the most iconic Singapore attractions.
Gardens by the Bay is surreal. From the towering and memorable Supertrees to the climate-controlled conservatories like the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, it feels futuristic and serene at the same time. The greenery and foliage provided so much oxygen, I felt a burst of energy and immediately acclimated.
Afterward, we wandered through the Marina Bay Sands mall, stopped for tea at TWG (our favorite), and popped into a pharmacy. One thing that really stood out to me was how seamlessly traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is integrated into daily life. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable, even when I mentioned endometriosis to them, they knew the correct herbs to recommend right away.
The next morning, we started at Merlion Park and walked all the way to Chinatown. Chinatown was vibrant, layered, and full of life. We wandered through shops, explored traditional Chinese medicine stores, and eventually made our way to the hawker markets.
Hawker markets are essentially street-style food halls with countless vendors, each specializing in a handful of dishes. What surprised me most was how many vendors still cook with animal fats… bone broth, tallow, and rich, deeply nourishing bases were everywhere. Bone broth culture is huge here, and it shows in the food.
Haji Lane, Orchard Road, and Joo Chiat
From Chinatown, we headed straight to Haji Lane, the Arab quarter of Singapore. It was moody and had colorful murals, indie boutiques, souk-style shops, and incredible food. The whole area was creative, eclectic, and full of personality.
Next stop: Orchard Road and ION Orchard. The shopping here is next level with global luxury brands, cutting-edge architecture, and immaculate presentation. We once again stopped by TWG for tea and a snack before continuing on with our shopping and exploration endeavors.
Later, we explored Joo Chiat Road, known for its beautifully preserved Peranakan shophouses. The pastel colors, ornate details, and old-world charm made it one of my favorite walks of the trip.
Afternoon Tea, History, and Sacred Spaces
One afternoon, we had tea at Raffles Hotel Singapore, which was nothing short of spectacular. Raffles is an iconic colonial-era hotel, a symbol of Singapore’s history, and is rated among the top 5 hotels in the world. The tea service was elegant, timeless, and the harpist playing live music elevated the entire experience into something truly special. It was the perfect place to enjoy Thanksgiving. The hotel is also known for its famous cocktail, the Singapore Sling – which we did not get to try as I don’t drink alcohol and the timing did not work out.
Right across the street from Raffles Singapore is CHIJMES, a former convent and chapel that’s been transformed into a cultural and dining complex. The contrast between history and modern life here is beautifully done.
Some highlights:
Hotpot Every Day.. I mean, every single day
Food-wise, we ate hotpot for dinner every single day and loved every second of it. We loved Yanguofu Malatang Hotpot, a make-your-own hotpot experience with incredible Chinese medicinal spices. We also went to Hai Di Lao twice because once simply wasn’t enough. The service, the broths, the quality: completely unmatched. We opted for the beef every single time, and each broth is a nutrient dense bone broth with incredible taste and health benefits.
A Thanksgiving Surprise We’ll Never Forget
The Ritz staff found out we were American, and without us expecting a thing, they surprised us in our room with a beautifully prepared American Thanksgiving spread and the kindest handwritten note. It was one of those hospitality moments that stays with you forever.
Another highlight was lunch at LAVO Singapore, perched atop Marina Bay Sands. We didn’t have a chance to stay long, but the food was delicious, and the views were even better. We ordered appetizers as a snack: the meatball and a charcuterie board + mocktails.
On Sunday, we attended Mass at Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, and I was genuinely shocked at how overflowing it was with families and people of all ages. It reminded me so much of church attendance in the UAE full, vibrant, and deeply reverent.
On our final day, we explored the ArtScience Museum at the base of Marina Bay Sands, diving into immersive exhibitions that blend creativity, technology, and design. I personally did not enjoy the museum except for the teamLAB experience part. The rest seemed too doomsday vibes for me – but maybe other tastes would enjoy it.
That evening, we wandered through the Christmas market at Gardens by the Bay and it was truly spectacular: twinkling lights, festive energy, getting us immediately into the Christmas spirit with such creativity. It was the perfect close to our trip.
We already have a Part Two coming soon… we’ll be back in just a few weeks for a brief weekend layover during Chinese New Year: the year of the horse. Singapore captured our hearts in a way we didn’t expect. The culture, the faith, the food, the beauty, the hospitality: i have a great feeling we’ll visit many more times to come.
