The Harmony Of Singapore

Looking for a Top Spot for a Mates’ Getaway? Read on...

- Shonagh Walker

THE FIRST TIME I VISITED SINGAPORE, I stayed at the Fullerton Hotel, stood side-of-stage at a Black Eyed Peas concert and hung out with the band afterwards (yes, Fergie is way hotter than you think). I also shopped up a storm. It was a total rock star experience; one that I thought Singapore was all about (read: Not an ounce of culture). Boy, was I wrong. During my most recent visit I discovered, that it’s actually a mind-blowingly awesome culinary, cultural melting pot that marries Chinese, Malaysian and Indian influences in amongst the ex-pat fun. Here are some of my suggested picks Eat: There is absolutely no shortage of ways, flavours or styles in which to stuff yourself stupid in Singapore. Firstly, book a Makan Bus Culinary Tour, at www.stayfareast.com, which has you trawling Hawker markets like a local. You’ll be offered up the likes of frog’s legs and pork offal soup, as well as extra spicy offerings of stir-fries and curries. For the less adventurous, like me, there’s also a huge array of authentic Asian food. My braver buddies assured me that the scarier sounding morsels were actually extremely mouth-watering.

Make sure you book the Five Senses Little India Tour (at the same website above) where you’ll uncover some pretty awesome street art and sweet shops from which to buy your lady a gift for gracing you the time for a guy’s getaway (think: Plenty of gold jewellery). This tour finishes with a stomach-bursting, authentic Indian meal, including traditional fish head curry, at Apollo Banana Leaf Restaurant.

Then there’s 328 Katong Laksa, famed for having the best Laksa in the world. It’s a mighty big call, but it was spot on.

It’s also awesome value, with my meal, teamed with local lime juice, setting me back just a pittance of around `250.