5 Reasons why you should look forward to your summer in Singapore - Alok bhartia

Summer is cranking down the air conditioner settings in most parts of the world. Singapore, however, is ‘just right’ at this time of the year, like the Baby Bear’s porridge in the Goldilocks story. Don’t bother with the usual mountainous retreats this summer. Avoid the miles and miles of snow and give yourself some Singaporean treat.

Here’s travel connoisseur Alok Bhartia explaining the 5 reasons why Singapore should be in your summer holidays list.

Chill out at Marina Bay

Marina Bay is easy-on-the-pocket, and one of the best spots to de-stress from the baggage of office trauma. You can easily cruise down the bay for just $5 on a river taxi. The taxi stops on five spots, namely, Esplanade, Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Clemenceau, and Robertson Quay. You can also take a short cruise around the bay for $1. Keep an ear out for the commentary and your eyes out for Five Boys by the River. You can also enjoy a picnic by the bay, just keep the surroundings clean.

When the sun goes down, you can enjoy the water and light show at One Fullerton. The Merlion or Singa-Laut statue gets a better, lighted view in the evening, perfect for beautiful background clicks.

Enjoy the summer fragrance of Singapore Botanic Garden

The Singapore Botanic Garden is aesthetic. You can feed fishes, terrapins and a variety of aquatic animals. Royal-looking swans will definitely catch your gaze if the jumping Koi fishes don’t. The best part about Singapore’s Botanic Garden that Alok Bhartia points out, is the nature’s cacophony amalgamated with the sound of the rushing stream.

“The best way to enhance the Botanic Garden is to take off your shoes/slippers and let the grass act as nature’s massagers,” adds Alok Bhartia.

Relish the flavours of Chinatown

Summer should always smell like barbeque and beer. Chinatown smells almost the same but with a hint of the indigenous spicy aromas. The Chinatown Complex has more than 260 stalls, some of them are Michelin-starred. You can choose from a huge menu to pleasure your taste-buds at the Maxwell Food Centre.

Singapore’s Chinatown is also famous for one of the oldest Chinese temples in the region. The Thian Hock Keng Temple was built by the Hokkiens around 1840. The temple enshrines various native deities and religious/philosophical paths, such as Confucianism, Taoism, Animism, and ancestor-worship.

Relax at Palawan Beach

Sentosa Island, which is about 12 miles off to the south of the city, features the Palawan Beach. The beach can be accessed free of any charge, but there are a number of private resorts that offer upgraded services. Several restaurants and beer-stops surround the beach. All you have to do is bring a towel, a mat, and some lotion.

Experience the rainforest at Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo can be experienced best during summers. In the month of July, the zoo feels like a tropical jungle. In fact, Tripadvisor has dubbed it one of the world’s best rainforest zoo. Do not miss the jungle breakfast, where you can start your day with a scrumptious meal in the company of the rare Sumatran orangutans. According to Alok Bhartia, over 39 species of different primates can be found in this zoo.

Singapore Zoo exhibits over 11 zones with different animals, including Australasian creatures like Wallabies, Kangaroos, Cassowaries, etc.

So pack your bags guys, and make this summer special in Singapore!