Singapore Family Adventure: 6 Days of Discovery with Young Explorers
Last month, our family embarked on an exciting 6-day, 5-night adventure to discover Singapore. With two children, aged 14 and 7, this marked our first self-guided international trip. As parents not fluent in English, we relied heavily on our elder child to navigate all communication and interactions. For context, she had recently achieved a 7.0 on her IELTS test!
We decided to book our trip and flights just two weeks in advance. While the extended stay and an unexpected flight change did add to the expenses, the sheer excitement and joy our family experienced made it all worthwhile. Our elder daughter had a fantastic opportunity to practice her English skills, taking charge of researching transportation, planning the itinerary, and finding highly-rated eateries and must-visit spots. Our six days were comfortably spent without venturing into Malaysia, allowing us to explore at a relaxed pace, primarily using buses and enjoying plenty of walking.
We secured our attraction and activity tickets through TravelGram.vn, a fantastic solution for independent travel that offered convenient and quick access with just a scan of a code. They also generously lent us four EZ-Link cards and provided three complimentary 6-day eSIMs. We topped up each EZ-Link card with $30, which was more than enough for our travels. We paid using a credit card, and any remaining balance was promptly refunded.
Accommodation: A Mixed Experience in Geylang
Our hotel choice was in the Geylang area, where we booked a family room for four. Booking close to our travel date and during peak season meant limited options for reasonably priced family rooms. Since we were out from morning until late at night, we didn't prioritize ultra-luxurious accommodation. However, upon arrival, we found the hotel and the surrounding neighborhood, populated by many laborers from countries like the Philippines, India, and Indonesia, to be less clean and bright than we had hoped. If we hadn't prepaid, we would have immediately sought alternative lodging. We grudgingly settled in for our stay.
A concerning incident occurred on the third day. Upon returning from our excursions, we noticed signs of tampering with our luggage lock. Thankfully, we hadn't stored any cash or valuables in the suitcase, so nothing was lost. However, the lock's condition was undeniable evidence of attempted entry. The hotel was notably uncooperative in investigating and offered various excuses to evade responsibility.
Culinary Delights: A Taste of Singapore
We found ourselves thoroughly enjoying most of Singapore's culinary offerings. From flavorful congee with frog legs and spicy laksa to rich Bak Kut Teh, sweet and savory chili crab, Hainanese chicken rice, and delicious fish noodle soup, our taste buds were consistently delighted. The only exception was Indian cuisine; we couldn't quite stomach it, and seeing people eating with their hands in some eateries was a bit off-putting for us.
The area around our hotel provided numerous dining options with affordable prices. Each evening, we'd stop by a fruit stall to purchase a combo of three different fruit trays for $10, and durian was available for $8 per tray – a true treat! When exploring Chinatown, we found Maxwell Food Centre to be a great spot for affordable and diverse food choices, although the midday heat while dining there could be quite intense.
Exploring Singapore: A Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Iconic Landmarks and Nature's Wonders
Our first day kicked off with a visit to the Merlion Park for the quintessential check-in photo. We then walked across the Helix Bridge to the ArtScience Museum before heading to Gardens by the Bay. The Cloud Forest and Flower Dome were particularly captivating for the children, and despite the sunny weather and extensive walking, our 7-year-old remained energetic and didn't complain once.
Day 2: Thrills on Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island was our destination for day two. We immersed ourselves in the excitement of Universal Studios, managing to experience several key rides like the Battlestar Galactica roller coaster, Transformers, and Jurassic Park. In the evening, we watched the Wings of Time show. While entertaining, we felt it wasn't as impressive compared to similar shows we've seen in Vietnam.
Day 3: Shopping and Chinatown Exploration
Day three was dedicated to shopping along Orchard Road, followed by an exploration of Chinatown. The vibrant atmosphere and bustling markets here reminded us of our own night markets back home.
Day 4: Little India, Mustafa Centre, and Clarke Quay
We started day four with lunch in Little India, followed by a shopping spree at Mustafa Centre for souvenirs. While the variety of goods was extensive, we were quite disappointed with the confectionery we purchased as gifts; they simply weren't to our liking. Those looking for medicinal items or cooling balms might find it more satisfying. In the afternoon, we made a quick stop at Fort Canning before walking over to Clarke Quay, an area buzzing with lively energy.
Day 5: Jewel Changi and an Unexpected Travel Hiccup
On our final day, we checked out of our hotel and headed to Jewel Changi. Waiting for elevators and navigating public transport between terminals took longer than anticipated. Due to a lack of thorough planning regarding inter-terminal travel, we arrived at the check-in counter 15 minutes late. This caused a moment of panic, as there was only one flight back to Hanoi that day, and the next day's flights were already fully booked. Ultimately, we had to book a flight to Singapore, then a separate ticket back to Hanoi on the same night. To add to the travel stress, our flight from Singapore was delayed from 1 AM to 3:30 AM. We finally arrived home at 6 AM, showered, and headed straight to work!
Despite the less-than-ideal hotel experience, we consider this trip a resounding success. Our children created unforgettable and joyous memories, making the entire journey incredibly rewarding.
