Singapore in 48 Hours

My friend and I landed in Singapore at 9am on a Saturday, and the view from above took my breath away as we breezed past one of the busiest ports in the world.

I recommend hopping on the MRT shuttle bus to enjoy a scenic view of the city on your way to hotel.

What I first noticed about Singapore is how CLEAN it is. Not a single piece of trash on the sidewalk and no public trash cans.

Are you hungry yet? Best thing about couple/group travel in Singapore is that you don't have to make a uniform decision when it comes to meal preferences. Simply, head to a Hawker and let your mind absorb every possible flavor...then congregate with the rest of your travel buddies.

Head to a Hawker Market

These markets are overflowing with Singaporean staples, and if you're a passionate foodie, you will be in awe at the overwhelming number of choices and aromas flooding through these halls.

We started with a traditional iced espresso (condensed milk and sugar), peanut butter pancakes, yam-stuffed puff pastry, and kaya toast.

Recommended Hawker Markets

• Hong Lim: About 50 stalls selling Malay and Chinese staples and one of the first established in Chinatown.

• Maxwell Food Centre: Over 100 stalls noteworthy for its diversity of flavor.

• Newton Food Centre: Some regard this as a tourist trap but matches its competitors in food quality and was featured in the Netflix special, "Crazy Rich Asians."

Explore China Town

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is an exquisitely designed temple that will take you back to the origins of Chinese Buddhism.

Chinatown Street Market also has some incredible "Fried Carrot Cake"...if you're thinking county fair sweet treat (although that sounds like a match made in heaven). Guess again...a voluptuous flavor awaits your tongue.

Telok Ayer Market

In the mid-afternoon, take a walk over to this indoor historical market for another "wow" walk among food vendors showcasing different flavors. The window shopping is just as fun if you're too full to take on any more food.

Telok Ayer Market Must-Try Foods

• Chili Crab: sweet, spicy, tangy sauce (a national dish)

• Fried Carrot Cake: rice flour, white radish, garlic, and egg (contrary to its name it's a breakfast staple...not dessert!)

• Kaya Toast: toasted sweet bread with kaya (traditional jam) and lots of butter (beware!)

• Rojak: eclectic salad mixed with veggies, fruits and dough fritters covered in a sticky black sauce and topped with chopped peanuts

• Burbur Cha Cha: coconut milk dessert with taro and sweet potato

Marina Bay Sands

One of the most famous landmarks in all of Singapore and is impossible to miss. This luxury hotel holds the world's largest infinity pool, hundreds of shops and restaurants, and has a charm that cannot be replicated anywhere else. We spent an hour here getting lost in this kingdom within the city.

If you're feeling boujee enough to try the Paríso Gold Coffee at Bacha Coffee, it sells for just $369 per pot!

Art/Science Museum

Right outside the MBS, this museum features some mind-blowing exhibits that will enter you into an alternate universe.

Sneakertopia: Step into Street Culture and Future World: Where Art Meets Science were the two prime showings when we visited. Book at least one day in advance since spots fill up quickly.

Gardens of the Bay

Before dinner, take a casual stroll over to Gardens of the Bay and snap a photo among the greenery of the Supertree Observatory. It feels like you're on set of a scene in Avatar...not one to miss! We were getting hangry so we didn't explore for long. However, when the sun goes down, the trees come to life and illuminate in color...so if you have time to stay until dark, I highly recommend it.

Grab Dinner at Super Loco Customs House

There are so many places to grab dinner by Marina Bay, and so we stopped at this Mexican restaurant for a waterfront view of MBS, some tasty margaritas and chorizo tacos.

Watch the Water Fireworks at MBS

This was hyped up by many of the locals so we walked back to MBS for the 8PM show, grabbed a beer, and found a seat for the live music and fireworks. They weren't mind-blowing, but maybe we had been overstimulated for the day... ready to call it a night!

We ate breakfast at Four Seasons Hotel and this was nothing short of spectacular. Message me and let's plan your future stay at Four Seasons in Singapore!

Botanic Gardens

A quick MRT ride to the gardens, we walked off our breakfast for about 2 hours on these mythical paths. Stunning backdrops, the occasional wildlife (monitor lizards and turtles), and notably the only tropical garden listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Arab Quarters and Little India

Art in all forms, cafe's, restaurants, temples, ethnicities, and the richness of color palate tucked away in every street corner. We sampled a roti and rice platter with 8 different curry spices in Little India, tasted the sweetest pastries in Arab Quarters, and sipped on freshly squeezed sugar cane juice in between. These places need multiple visits to try a bit of it all, but with only a couple hours to spare, we experienced what we could!

Got more time? Get in touch with me, and let's curate your visit around this delectable food scene.

National Museum of Singapore

To digest and explore in some A/C quarters, we stopped at this museum to learn more about the history of Singapore...we were thrilled we added this place to our list! The museum takes a deep dive into Singapore's colonization and I learned more about its significance to SE Asia and now have a deep appreciation for the continued growth of this prosperous country.

Changi Airport

Mom says it's important to get to the airport early before your flight; but when it holds the title for "World's Best Airport," it's imperative that you arrive even earlier than what mom suggests. We had a 10PM flight home and so, we arrived around 6PM to explore its massive indoor waterfall, shops, and restaurants before checking in. This airport sets the bar high and you may be disappointed in every other airport from now on... but just another reason to visit Singapore again soon!