Upon immediately arriving in Singapore I was amazed at the organization and cleanliness of Changi airport. After a 17.5 hour flight, it was nice to not be welcomed by a hectic airport. The immigration and customs lines were streamlined for foreign visitors, and allowed for an ease of entry into Singapore. While driving to the hotel from the airport I was amazed at the skyscrapers and structures that made up the Singapore skyline. After making it back to the hotel, I made sure to rest up for the day ahead.
The next day we had a walking tour around the neighborhood near our hotel in downtown Singapore. This allowed our group to gain familiarity with our surroundings, and learn the different routes and methods of transportation available as visitors in Singapore. After our walking tour we had lunch at the famous Plaza Singapura. Plaza Singapura is a shopping mall in downtown Singapore where you can find a variety of food and clothes to pick from. After our lunch, our group decided to continue to explore the parks and landmarks located near our hotel. For dinner we decided to eat at a hawker center.
Hawker centers are places where street vendors sell a variety of foods from all across the world in one location. Hawker centers are a perfect representation of the diversity of Singapore, and the many cultures that constitute its population. Singapore’s population is a mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European, and all of these cultures are represented in Singaporean food. At the hawker center we enjoyed chicken satay, sugarcane juice, and grilled stingray. All of these dishes draw on many different cultures and represent a unique fusion of cuisines found only in Singapore. After only one day in Singapore I knew that this was going to be a trip of a lifetime, and look forward to what is to come!