16 hours in Singapore: What to Do?
Arriving at 3:30pm at Terminal 2, I hurriedly made my way to the free tour guide location hoping to secure a spot, only to discover that it was fully booked. Disappointed but undeterred, I decided to explore the city on my own. Despite not being familiar with the city or the language and having no internet or money, I headed straight to immigration to get another stamp on my passport and embarked on an adventure to discover Singapore.
Navigating Singapore turned out to be surprisingly easy. I exchanged a small amount of currency and obtained a paper map, which, to my surprise, still proved to be useful in this digital age. Apologies to my faithful Triposo app, but I was ready to explore the city without its guidance.
Checkout my 16 hours in Singapore video
I obtained a tourist transit card, which was affordable and allowed me to conveniently hop on trains and buses throughout the city. My first stop was Bugis, where I explored the bustling markets and food alleys, treating myself to a taste of non-Vietnamese cuisine and a refreshing fruit drink. Afterward, I ventured to Frank Canal Park, but there wasn't much to see due to ongoing construction for a light show scheduled for later in the evening. Nevertheless, I couldn't resist indulging in a bubble tea and savoring the unique flavor of durian.
I then hopped on a train from Dhoby Ghaut station and made my way to Raffles Place, a perfect spot to admire the sunset over Marina Bay Sands. I found a seat at Caffe Fernet and enjoyed a couple of Shizas while taking in the view. The bartender suggested heading to the other side for the 8pm light show, which turned out to be a spectacular experience. A small tip: avoid sitting right in front as it gets crowded when people rush towards Gardens by the Bay for the 8:30pm light show. I opted to stay on the side, enjoying a great view and strolling around Marina Bay Sands, away from the majority of the crowd. I easily found a spot to relax under the trees.
At 10pm, I returned to the opposite side of the bay to explore the gardens at my own pace and capture more photos and videos. The light show from this vantage point was even more breathtaking. Afterward, I caught the last train back to the airport. In the quietness of the early morning, I refreshed myself with a warm shower at the Ambassadors Lounge and watched a free movie at the neighboring area, which plays films 24 hours a day. It was now 2am, and only duty-free shops and a few food stores were open at the airport. I spent the time writing my blog, editing the photos and videos from my memorable 16 hours in Singapore.
A pro tip for all my photography enthusiasts: The photos below were captured using just a camera and a lens hood—no additional equipment. Here's a technique you can try: gently release your finger from the trigger and make use of stairs, guard rails, and posts for stability. If necessary, you can even position your camera within the lens hood to achieve the desired angle.
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