Oasia Hotel Downtown ranks 37th on the list of Singapore's tallest buildings. And it doesn't look anything like the 36 above it on that list.
First, rather than having a typical façade of blue-grey steel and glass, the building is cloaked in red aluminium. Second, that red aluminium is itself covered in a living vertical garden of lush creepers that spreads all the way up to the 27th storey. In fact, as the plants have grown since the building first opened, it's become increasingly difficult to spot the red bits beneath all the greenery!
It wasn't camouflaged enough for our driver to miss, though. As he pulled into the driveway, I noticed incense smoke rising from a tiny temple across the road, its green-tiled roof flanked by decorative dragons. This is the Seng Wong Beo Temple, which dates back to the 1890s. It's nice to have a slice of history at the front door of a cutting-edge skyscraper - the following morning, it would be our first stop on an epic ride around Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown and Marina Bay on a set of the hotel's in-house bicycles.
Settling in
Denne historien er fra December 2024-utgaven av Expat Living Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra December 2024-utgaven av Expat Living Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Injury-free Skiing!
You've compared the various resorts' vital statistics, après ski options and historical snowfall data, and you're ready to hit the slopes this holidays! In this first of two articles, orthopaedic surgeon and ski-tragic DR DERRICK OH gives advice on how you can prevent skiing injuries.
Braces Vs Invisalign First!
Teeth straightening for kids can achieve more health benefits than just a great smile. Here, dentist DR ALEXIA KWAN talks about the pros and cons of the two main options: traditional braces and Invisalign First.
CAN OBESITY LEAD TO HEART ATTACKS?
Maintaining a healthy weight is more than just a matter of appearance - it's a vital aspect of heart health. DR MICHAEL ROSS MACDONALD, a senior consultant cardiologist at The Harley Street Heart & Vascular Centre, discusses how weight affects our heart and ways to manage it.
Achieving with Development Assessments
Every parent prioritises the wellbeing and optimal development of their child. Paediatric physiotherapist WAN YING TEH specialises in babies and children and tells us why a physiotherapy development assessment can help you achieve just this.
POWER WORKOUTS REDEFINED
It's easy to let fitness slide during the festivities, but keeping up your routine doesn't have to be a chore. These quick, high-burn workouts make it simple to stay active, boost your energy, and keep that waistline in check - no matter how packed your calendar gets!
TROPICAL TOWer
If you love a staycation option with strong eco credentials, try this lofty - and leafy - hotel in the heritage district of Tanjong Pagar.
A Boutique Resort in Malaysia
Inside a serene tropical sanctuary that combines contemporary design with nature.
A Guide to Lombok
As I floated on a surfboard, my instructor called out “go, chilli man!” to his friend carving along a breaking wave. He turned to me and said, “Have you tried the chillies here? They’re just like our island and our surfers: small but spicy.”
Thailand: City & Mountains
My two daughters are well into their teens, and in the blink of an eye they'll be heading off on holidays with groups of raucous friends rather than with their annoying parents.
Recipe CORNER
This holiday favourite combines the warmth of traditional spices with the rich textures of dried fruits. Enjoy with a cup of tea or a glass of mulled wine!
