(Newswire.net — August 25, 2014) Singapore, Singapore — People move to Singapore from all over the world. With the little red dot’s bountiful mix of food, culture, and attractions, the question is: where should they start exploring? What’s the best way to get to know the city – state? Should Singapore newbies start with the cultural sites? Or, is there something cooler to do? Most Singapore guides are geared towards adults or parents with young kids. Thankfully, we haven’t forgotten the teen set. SAS student Sandhya Bala crafted a guide especially for high school students looking for places to eat and hang out in their new home country.[i]
Historic/Family Place: Singapore River
To learn about Singapore’s history, visit the Singapore River. The Singapore River is located beside the Central Business District and runs along Clarke Quay. Walking along the river is a great way to see and capture the beautiful colors and architecture of the surrounding buildings and bridges. Also located beside the river are different statues and monuments, as shown in the picture below, with plaques giving shorts summaries of Singapore’s discovery and growth over the years – a great way to learn about Singaporean history.
If walking is too tiring, try taking a “Duck Tour!” The Duck Tour is a guided tour around the Singapore River via a boat-on-wheels, which goes on both land and water – like a duck!
Some of Singapore’s popular seafood restaurants, like Jumbo, sit on the bank of the river. The view is also a great way to watch the sunset!
If you are truly daring, you should definitely check out the G-Max ride, where you are suspended and hurled over the Singapore River! You can never run out of fun things to do here. Sometimes, there are even surprise visits from the Air Force who are practicing for the National Day parade in August!
Shopping: Orchard Road
Although Orchard Road is a hotspot for tourists all year round, it is also a famous gathering spot for teenagers. It is like another Fifth Avenue in New York. The stretch of malls on either side of this road is conveniently located at the heart of the city and is easy to access from all corners of the island. Both Somerset and Orchard MRT stations border the two ends of Orchard Road and is a walkable distance between each other.
One of the new and popular malls, ION, is a common meeting area for students. Because of its wide array of clothing stores, restaurants, and close proximity to a movie theater, it is easy for students to spend hours at this mall.
While walking from one mall to the next, you should definitely try an ice-cream sandwich at one of the roadside ice cream carts. These interesting ice-cream cookie or bread combinations are a local icon, and are very delicious!
Restaurants: Wild Honey
If you’re willing to indulge in some scrumptious food, check out Wild Honey. This delicious restaurant sells breakfast all day! Each dish is hearty, creative, and Instagram-able, leaving your taste buds wanting more. Try to look at the dish below without your mouth watering!
You can check out the restaurant at Scotts Square or Mandarin Gallery (both on Orchard Road).
How to get around: MRT & Buses
Even though Singapore is small, getting around can be tricky! If you don’t leave at the right moment you might get stuck in traffic for a long time, doubling the cab rate. This is why I recommend using the public transportation system. You can choose between the train, known here as the MRT, or the bus. No matter where you are heading, there is always a way to reach your destination via public transport in Singapore; and all for less than SGD$3! You can go from one end of the island to the other in less than 90 minutes via MRT. Sooner or later you will know the MRT routes like the back of your hand. If prefer to hail a cab, they are available throughout the day and are absolutely safe to use whether it’s day or night.
[i] Sandhya Bala, High School Student at Singapore American School, from their website www.sas.edu.sg
Established in 1956, the school primarily serves the American and international expatriate communities of Singapore. SAS is registered with the Singapore Council for Private Education, affiliated with the Office of Overseas Schools through the U.S. Department of State, and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
For more information about Singapore American School visit www.sas.edu.sg.