arts & culture
Singapore: Where Culture, Cuisine
and Charm All Meet
JILL AND JORDAN PERLIN |
SPECIAL TO JE
L ocated approximately 85 miles
from the equator is one of the
most vibrant, diverse and excit-
ing places — Singapore. It is a city, state
and country all in one.

Once you arrive at Singapore’s Changi
Airport, you may not want to leave the
airport: Singaporeans describe it as a
destination unto itself. It has a butterfly
sanctuary, cactus garden and canopy
bridge. Don’t worry, though. You can
enjoy these attractions when you return
for your outbound flight.

The first time we visited Singapore,
a friend described it as “Asia for
Beginners.” Almost everyone speaks
English. It is, however, a cultural melt-
ing pot. People from all over the world
have made Singapore their home.

Many religions are practiced, includ-
ing Christianity, Islam, Judaism and
Buddhism. There are many temples
and churches you can visit, and they
are quite beautiful, such as the Buddha
Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown.

Singapore is easy to navigate, and it’s
extremely safe. The public transporta-
tion system (SMRT) is excellent, and
taxis are plentiful. You will not need to
rent a car. Once you step outside, you
will instantly feel the weather. It rarely
changes; it is hazy, hot and humid
every day. During monsoon season, it
can rain heavily in the afternoon.

Singapore abounds with sites and
attractions. Two iconic structures are
the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Raffles
Hotel. If you’ve seen the movie “Crazy
Rich Asians,” you will instantly recog-
nize MBS. In addition to its guest rooms,
it has a casino, restaurants and shops.

You can take the elevator to the top floor
and take advantage of the beautiful views
during the day and at night.

Adjacent to MBS is Gardens by the
Bay. If you are a nature lover, you will
appreciate the Flower Dome and Cloud
Forest, both of which are indoors.

The Merlion is Singapore’s official
mascot and symbolizes Singapore’s ori-
gin as a fishing village. It is depicted as
a mythical creature, with the head of
30 a lion and the body of a fish. It is just
across the river from MBS.

The other iconic structure, the Raffles
Hotel, is famous for the Singapore Sling
drink, which was created in 1915.

If animals are your thing, you can
see all kinds of species. There are two
zoos — a day zoo and a night zoo
(known as the Night Safari). If you
have to choose one, we suggest choos-
ing the Night Safari, as seeing ani-
mals active at night is a generally rare
opportunity. The Jurong Bird Park has
more than 5,000 birds from 400 spe-
cies. Throughout Singapore, you also
will notice a great deal of construc-
tion. Many Singaporeans joke that the
“crane is the national bird.”
Singapore is also known for its flowers.

The Botanic Garden is a must-see. It
is the country’s first UNESCO heritage
site and spans more than 60 acres. A
major section of the overall garden is the
National Orchid Garden, which boasts
the world’s largest orchid display.

For excitement and entertainment,
head to Sentosa. It is an island off the
southern coast and is accessible by road,
cable car, pedestrian boardwalk and
monorail. It has more than 50 individual
attractions, including beaches, a water
park, Universal Studios, an aquarium
and indoor skydiving. It also has numer-
ous hotels and restaurants. You can easily
spend more than one day here.

To say that the food in Singapore
is among the best in the world is an
understatement. Choices range from Michelin-star
restaurants to local food courts, known
as “hawker centers.” Seafood is every-
where, and it is extremely fresh. Jumbo’s
is a favorite restaurant; the Chili Crab is
like nothing else. The Lau Pa Sat Market
contains over 200 food stalls.

Adjacent to the market is Boon Tat
Street. It becomes “Satay Street” at night
and offers some of the best satay and
barbequed seafood. The Maxwell Food
Center is well known for its Hainanese
chicken rice, another local favorite.

For a completely different dining
experience, visit Tippling Club, where
the menu is known as molecular gas-
tronomy. The prix fixe menu has over
more than 10 tastings which can be
MARCH 24, 2022 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel provides spectacular views of Singapore.

Photos by Jordan Perlin
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple offers a stunning example of architecture.




Satay is a staple of Singaporean cuisine.

paired with various drinks or cocktails.

Shopping can almost be consid-
ered a national pastime. There are
many malls; those with higher-end
stores are along Orchard Road. Many
neighborhoods also have good shop-
ping, including Little India and
Chinatown. People often discover Singapore
when they are connecting en route to
somewhere else. They appreciate it so
much that they return. Whatever the
reason for your visit, the sights, sounds
and smells will stay with you.

Jurong Bird Park has an amazing array of birds on display.

expensive to get to Singapore,
as it’s so far from North America.

Fortunately, as of this writing, the
exchange rate from the U.S. dollar
to the Singapore dollar is favorable.

Mobility Level: Generally low to
moderate. Some activities require a
lot of walking. The heat and humidity
can be difficult for individuals with
breathing issues to handle.

• Regent Hotel
• Raffles Hotel
• Swissotel Merchant Court
When To Go: Check out:
travel.usnews.com/Singapore/. Special Travel Interests:
• Dining, animals and architecture JE
Where To Stay:
Jill and Jordan Perlin are freelance writers.

Getting Around:
• By air — Singapore is the hub for
Singapore Airlines. There have
flights from all over the world.

Many other airlines also fly to
Singapore. • By cruise — Several cruise lines
offer sailings to Singapore.

• Within Singapore — The public
transportation system (SMRT) is
excellent, and taxis are plentiful.

Must-Sees and Dos for a
Short Trip:
• Day Zoo or Night Safari
• Gardens by the Bay
• Botanic Gardens
• Cloud Forest
If You Have At Least 10 Days:
• 2 to 3 days in Sentosa
• Jurong Bird Park
• Some of the many churches/
temples/mosques This Destination at a Glance:
Over 50 Advantage: It can be
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