Singapore, oh Singapore! I’m not going to lie, you were exhausting, and that’s exactly how I remembered you from the time I called you my temporary home. That was some 13 years ago, and while a lot has changed in terms of your skyline, technology, and culture, your overall vibe hasn’t shifted much. You remain a melting pot of diverse cultures, that’s for sure, but it’s a somewhat sterile one, carefully controlled and maintained. You are still looking after your citizens with the watchful eye of overly strict parents, who don’t hesitate to impose unreasonable punishment when rules are broken. Despite this, there’s an undeniable order and safety that continues to define life here.

We were staying for 5 nights in a hostel room located in the neighborhood of Little India. When I say that a European prison cell would likely be more comfortable compared to our accommodation, I’m probably not exaggerating by much. Now, I haven’t actually been in a European prison cell myself, but I’d imagine most of them have at least a small window and might even smell a little better than where we stayed! It was definitely character-building, that much is certain, especially for the kids. And that’s also the main reason why I am writing these lines from our next destination, as there simply wasn’t any space to comfortably sit down with a notebook where we were.

We made the most of our days and managed to fit quite a bit into our 5 fairly packed days. One of the true highlights was our visit to Universal Studios on the second day of our stay in the city. We had an amazing time enjoying everything from thrilling rollercoaster rides to the exciting Transformers animations, topped off with some immersive Minion-themed VR action! Another memorable experience was our trip to Gardens by The Bay, where we were able to appreciate a touch of nature right in the heart of the bustling city. Despite not being larger than Hamburg in size, this city is home to around 7 million people. Space has always been at a premium here, and that remains unchanged. With so many residents squeezed into such a limited area, it’s no surprise that living spaces are tight. Prices have also skyrocketed since I last visited! While food at the hawker centers remains relatively affordable, it’s probably the only budget-friendly option left in Singapore. Coming from Indonesia through Malaysia, the difference in cost of living was striking; spending one week in Singapore felt like spending four weeks back in Indonesia!

We also discovered the Science Center Singapore, an attraction that likely doesn’t feature prominently in most tourist guides. However, we literally spent an entire day exploring this impressive museum. The kids absolutely loved it, and so did we. Spread across two large floors, the center covers a variety of scientific topics with numerous hands-on activities that make complex concepts easy and fun to understand. It’s definitely more of a hidden gem for visitors to Singapore who are looking for an engaging and educational experience. In the evening, the kids had an additional highlight, as we discovered a “Cat-Cafe” around the corner from our hostel, where the kids spent almost an hour cuddling various kitties!

In addition to the Science Center, we spent a full day in the beautiful botanical gardens. Our original plan was simply to visit the water playground to give the kids some time to play near the water, but we quickly found ourselves wandering and enjoying the vast, lush areas of the park for the entire day. Just as we were about to leave, we stumbled upon an open-air “German Film Festival” organized by the Goethe Institut Singapore. This unexpected cinema evening was a very welcome surprise for us and undoubtedly for around 200 other families who had gathered there, creating a cozy and communal atmosphere to end our day.

We also went through some of the great hawker centers. This included well-known, touristy spots like Lau Pa Sat and Makansutra, but we made sure to explore some that were off the beaten track as well, offering a more authentic local experience. Singapore without Chicken Rice simply isn’t Singapore, and enjoying this iconic dish felt like a true rite of passage during our visit.

On our final day, we took a long, leisurely walk through the MacRitchie Reservoir. I had already enjoyed this place during my previous stays in Singapore, and it never fails to offer a refreshing escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. A walk through the jungle, just a few MRT stations away from the busy metropolis, felt like stepping into a different world. Along the way, we encountered freely roaming monkeys, lizards, and other fascinating animals that you do not see every day.

It felt good to be back in this vibrant city, but it also felt good to leave, a feeling that once again reminded me of how I felt when I departed the city some 13 years ago. We took a light to Ho Chi Minh this afternoon and are now anjoying 5 days in the biggest city of Vietnam. The 16th country on our journey!