Singapore Sling

I came back from Singapore just two weeks ago and finally got around to posting the photos.  It was a pretty fun trip with my extended family.  There was much more to see and do in this small country than I expected.  There was beautiful architecture, some modern and innovative, while others, remnants of British colonization.  The food was spectacular, and the beaches were pretty nice too.  The shopping was pretty dull, but that's probably because I was just in Japan and there really isn't a competition of which place is better to shop.  What shocked me though, was that the tin of Earl Grey I bought in Singapore turned out to be the best I've ever tasted.  But it was a pretty fun trip, and a great bonding experience with my family.

Raffles Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Singapore.

The most famous trademark of Singapore is the Merlion, a mythical creature with the head of a lion and a body resembling a mermaid. 

We stayed at a hotel overlooking the Marina Bay, an area enclosed by a dam.  Some of the most interesting and beautiful buildings and infrastructure can be found here.  Marina Bay Sands is a massive complex including hotels, casinos, conventions centers and a mall, and resemble 3 sails and a ship at the top.  The helix bridge is the world's third most expensive bridge in the world and is a pedestrian bridge cutting through the bay.  The singapore flyer, though not as well known as the London Eye has a significant presence overlooking the bay.  And finally, the Esplanade Theater is an opera house shaped like a durian, the funny smelling fruit that so many Singaporeans enjoy.

Clark Quay is a very interesting area with colourful buildings and bars and restaurants everywhere.  We had dinner here, and ate black pepper crab at a restaurant by the river.  It was one of the best crab dishes I've ever had!

Sentosa Island is a really chill place.  This is Palawan Beach which claims to be the southernmost part of continental Asia.  It was a great place to just relax on the beach, read, tan, and play with bubbles.

Little India wasn't the best smelling place in Singapore, but it was definitely the most colourful.

And of course, going to a country outside of China would require a trip to... well... China town!