Singapore Stopover

Singapore—a city where everything gleams, everything works, and everything reminds you not to break the rules. It was our two-day stopover en route to Thailand, a chance to see a friend, stretch our legs, and apparently, lose a debit card to a hungry ATM.

It started at the airport. Bright, efficient, and humming with activity, where we foolishly assumed we'd withdraw some cash and be on our way with Singaporean dollars. Singapore, however, had other plans. The ATM promptly swallowed our card without so much as an apology. We were left standing there, cashless, in one of the world’s priciest cities.

Thus began a half  day quest unsuccessfully trying to retrieve the card. On the bright side, Singapore loves credit cards almost as much as it loves issuing fines, so we managed to get by—and at least we got to see a bit of the city while walking to and from the bank!

Our second day began at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The air was hot, the humidity high, and the scenery promising. With no paper maps available, we snapped a picture of the painted map on a signboard and looked it over, pretending this was as good as a GPS. 

A helpful gentleman approached us, clearly worried we were about to overestimate our capabilities. “There’s a nice, flat 2-kilometer route,” he assured us, glancing at us with the kindly skepticism reserved for the elderly or easily lost. “Plenty of benches to rest along the way.”

We thanked him for the advice while suppressing laughter. “Sure,” we thought, “2 kilometers, benches—perfect for us decrepit souls.” Armed with his encouragement and absolutely zero trail maps (because, as he reassured us, there were none), we set off.

Nevertheless, his advice set the tone for the day. We embarked on what would eventually be a 6.5-mile exploration of the gardens, laughing each time we passed a bench or paused at yet another well-placed map. 

Blossoms of a wild Banana 

Well-marked trails led us past lush greenery and stunning sculptures. and a canopy walk. 

Sculpture of Swans and their reflection in Swan Lake

 A small waterfall tucked into the gardens also caught our attention, allowing us to walk behind its curtain of water for a refreshing pause.

The gardens were busy, with joggers, walkers, and fitness groups making their way along the paths. It was clear that this space was a haven for both nature lovers and city dwellers needing a break from the relentless urban energy. The atmosphere was peaceful, the flora stunning, and the experience a delightful reminder of how nature can coexist with city life.

Wonderfully large and luscious leaves

As for the city itself, Singapore takes neatness and order to a whole new level. It’s as if Singapore lives by the motto: “New is always better,” with buildings torn down and replaced every 20 years and there are rules that tell you to replace your car every 10 years. Even the construction equipment looks brand new. 

It is full of reminders not to mess up. Fines for everything—from smoking to chewing gum—meant it felt incredibly safe but also mildly intimidating. Flying into Singapore was the first time that I heard the announcement threatening death for drug violations. Maybe a little more than mildly intimidating!  It’s an odd juxtaposition: a city that feels perfectly safe but also oddly threatening in its enforcement of perfection.

In the end, our Singapore adventure was short and sweet (well, steamy and a little stressful). We reconnected with our friend David, walked far more than anticipated, and even managed a few laughs despite the ongoing ATM saga. As we left for Thailand, we couldn’t help but wonder: will our next ATM swallow our card too? Will the benches be as plentiful?

Stay tuned—our next stop promises adventure, a vacation from life aboard Rhapsody, and hopefully, access to actual cash.