Explore Together

If you would like to explore together and visit to any place in Singapore, please drop me a line at singaporeforless@gmail.com. I would be most happy to stroll or jalan-jalan (walk-walk) together with you. Typically, a walking exploration will be between 3 to 4 hrs. Charges will be at SGD$40 per hour, regardless of the nos. of guests, up to 5 persons. Additional charge of SGD$20 will apply for each extra pax.

So, the more people in your group the cheaper it will be. [An update: currently due to social distancing time may be adjusted accordingly, but then during the pandemic you may want to just admire or browse the photos here or from the postcards from Singapore. No purchase necessary :)]. Walking exploration can include heritage and cultural areas of Kampong Glam, Geylang Serai, Little India, Chinatown and Katong. After jalan-jalan, we can also lepak-lepak (chill) or relax one corner at some side-street sarabat stall sipping teh-tarik perhaps?

Haji Lane at Kampong Glam

For nature lovers we can do nature walks to Pulau Ubin, Pasir Ris Mangroves, Sungei Buloh Wetland, MacRitchie Reservoir, Jurong Lake Gardens, Coney Island, the Rail Corridor and the Southern Ridges. You will be surprised how green this small city is with so many nature parks and reserves. This city is aptly called the city in the garden. Now it is City in Nature.

In fact you do not have to leave the airport. There is quite a huge garden at Jewel next to Terminal 1 complete with the tallest indoor waterfall in the world! But you definitely want a sniff at the outdoors right?

Chek Jawa Coastal Boardwalk at Pulau Ubin

For gardens it include the world famous National Orchid Garden within the world heritage site Singapore Botanic Gardens, as well as Gardens by the Bay where you can see a total of 18 super trees and two themed domes. Entry tickets apply for National Orchid Garden and Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome and Cloud Forest Domes.

Or how about a visit to Alstonia island? Yes there is such island right here in Singapore, within Jurong Lake Gardens. This picturesque third national nature garden is located at the western end of Singapore. Alstonia is named after the Common Pulai tree, a native and heritage tree. If food is involved, it will be at your cost. Though rest assured street food in Singapore is very affordable. And of course delicious :)

Singapore's National Flower

Ever wondered what is putu piring as shown in Netflix Streets Food series and how it is made? It is at Geylang Serai. We will be visiting mostly iconic hawker centres in Singapore. Hawker centres are unique in Singapore. Some hawker stalls are listed in Bib Gourmand. A couple have even earned a one-star Michelin award.

Singapore's hawker culture is recognised by UNESCO and officially included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Do you know that there are than 100 hawker centres in Singapore?

Putu piring at Geylang Serai

If you are not a foodie, for street arts lovers you will be surprised by the splash of vibrant colours on shophouses walls here. Shophouses? That is interesting as well, with a long history. The street arts scene here is quite vibrant if you are looking for something unique. Singapore is not totally sterile :). Not in the league of Santiago, Chile, or Berlin, Germany, yet, but we are slowly catching up in that area.

Or something off the beaten tracks, how about island hopping to the Southern Islands of Singapore such as Big Sister's Island (Pulau Subar Laut), St. John's and Lazarus Islands? Or Coney Island? There is Coney Island in Singapore! Not just in New York.

Do you know that Singapore is actually made up of 64 islands? However some islands have joined or been enlarged together, so the total number is a bit lesser now.

Coney Island

Or you can let me know other attractions or places of interests or just checking out some delicious dishes at hawker centres that you have been hearing about and been wanting to visit for a long.

Have you heard of Haw Par Villa? How about Sentosa island? It's not all theme parks in Sentosa, we can assure you. Sentosa island is not man-made either. :) It has lots of history, a military fortress and nature trails. Similarly Fort Canning Hill was once a fortress with history dating back prior to 14th century. That was where Sir Stamford built his bungalow.

Merlion Park with MBS in the background

Perhaps all you want to see is our iconic merlion at Merlion Park and one of the most photographed building here i.e. Marina Bay Sands, which is just across the Merlion Park. No problem.

Meeting point for each tour is usually at the nearest MRT station or a location to be agreed with prior to the tour. There are more than 100 MRT stations in Singapore, so moving around is easy-peasy.

Should there be movement from one place to another, we will be taking public transport such as MRT and public buses. Fares are not included, but typically about $2 each way. What better way to learn about the city than by taking public transport.

Bumboat/ ferry to Southern Islands

Should boat be involved, or other mode of transportation, it will also be at your cost. Boat to Pulau Ubin is only $4 each way ($8 both ways). It was $3 previously but due to the pandemic and safe distancing measures, there is a slight increase in price to compensate for reduced passenger capacity. To the Southern Islands is $15 return.

Well, actually Singapore is very manageable and doable to do by yourself. If you only have few hours on transit, do check out the city.

As soon as you as you clear Changi airport customs and immigration you will see signs to Jewel, where you can see the Rain Vortex, the tallest indoor waterfall in the world with garden surrounding it.

View of city from roof of National Gallery

There is also the newest attraction conveniently located at Changi Airport called Jurassic Mile where you can find life-sizes T-Rex and more than 10 other dinosaurs, all of which are just around the corner at Terminal 1 and 4 respectively. Jurassic Mile is only about 2 km long. If you are up to it you can also walk or bike all the way to East Coast Park and Marina Bay (19 km only ) from the airport. There is a bike rental station at Terminal 2 that charges between $8 to $16 per hour depending on the bike type. Good exercise that will make you sleep soundly in the plane.

Pasir Ris Mangroves Park

Anyway if you need a guide I am just an email away. I would be most happy to lead you for an experience in the hot and humid but very green tropical and happening city.

As you can see all sorts of activities and attractions are available day and night. Oh by the way, I am a licensed tourist guide. Very much a local, born and bred in Singapore. So let's go jalan-jalan! To give you more ideas of interesting things or place to visit you can hop over to Postcards from Singapore page.

Cheers!