The words spontaneous and booked four days prior may jump out, how is that possible?! The reality is that I always wanted to travel for my birthday, it was a matter of destination - factoring in flight costs and duration, accommodation costs, visa requirements and timing. My birthday is 4 days before Valentine’s Day, so destinations I had in mind such as Mauritius and Zanzibar were already booked and rather expensive. Locally, not much piqued my interest in terms of Rand value. I would rather spend slightly more to have a new experience elsewhere than do something I am already used to locally. How did I decide on Singapore? It’s visa-free for the passport I possess, direct flights were reasonably priced for last-minute bookings and as for accommodation, there were options. Another major factor is that Singapore is safe for a solo traveler. All of these factors in mind made it my destination of choice.

Pre - travel

Flights

A return ticket from Cape Town to Singapore in February was R12, 129,46 with a direct flight with Singapore Airlines (it does have a technical stop in Johannesburg on the route for 1.5hours). I used my trusted websites, Travelstart, Skyscanner, Hopper, eBucks Travel a few days before to gauge flight places and track for price drops, however, flight prices did not reduce and ultimately it was best to book on the Singapore Airlines website directly.

Accommodation

Two different accommodations were booked, bringing the total to R19 890, 65 (excluding breakfast) booked on Agoda as this offered the best-discounted rates outside of Booking.com. One location was booked for 2 nights throughout my birthday weekend which I was willing to splurge a bit more on. This choice was Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel - well worth it! It is near the infamous Orchard Road for shopping including ION Orchard Mall.

The remaining 2 nights were spent at a cheaper hotel, Citadines Rochor Singapore in Little India, close to the remaining tourist attractions I would be visiting for the rest of the trip.

Travel Insurance

This is a fundamental policy to have for international travel as a safeguard for any occurrences, including any accidents, hospital treatments, accidental death, lost baggage etc. Often if you pay for your flights on a certain banking tier, your bank automatically offers travel insurance. This is the case for Discovery Bank as well as FNB however for FNB, you have to activate this free service with TIC Insurance. Do note that with free travel insurance, there are limits to what is insured as well as some exclusions e.g., lost baggage may not be covered but if you top up the insurance cover, this is covered to a maximum of R20 000. I opted to top up my insurance coverage through my international travel benefit with my medical aid for R565 which would have cost at least R100 more through FNB even though it is with the same insurance provider.

Local sim card

I could order and pay for this online before traveling, ready for collection at various locations within Changi International Airport on my arrival. The network provider of choice was Singtel, on the Tourist Sim Card costing $12 Singapore dollars: I purchased on the Singtel website although it directs you to another website namely Pelago. All you have to do at the pickup collection point is show the ticket/order which will be a QR code, provide your passport and the SIM will be given to you, ready to work right away. This is what is offered on the $12 SIM package.

• Valid for 14 days

• 100GB local data

• Unlimited data on Facebook, Whatsapp and WeChat

• 500 minutes of local calls and 30 minutes of international calls

• 100 local SMS

• 3GB data roam for Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand

• Extra 100GB credited within 1-3 days of SIM card registration

You can still of course purchase a SIM card on arrival with no need to do so beforehand.

Mandatory immigration Forms

Always ensure you check what forms are required to be filled in before departure or upon arrival. Singapore requires an SG Arrival Card (form) as part of immigration to enter the country, This form can be completed online 3 days before arrival in Singapore and takes about 10 minutes to populate. Information requested is your passport information, mode of transport into Singapore, duration of stay, purpose of stay and where you will be staying/accommodation during that time. You will be asked when checking in for boarding if this has been completed and proof of this if travelling from South Africa so ensure you do so ahead of time.

FYI: Singapore is an expensive country, with the exchange rate at the beginning of February being $1 Singapore Dollar = R14,1 = USD0.74. Any reference to $ for the rest of this post is referencing Singapore Dollars.

DAY 1

The flight arrived early in the morning (630 am) and I eventually left the airport almost 2-3 hours later. Here is why:

• Immigration queue was lengthy and slow-moving, taking me about an hour to be processed. Once at the counter, it took about 5 minutes including taking biometrics. No physical stamp is placed in your passport, an e-visa is emailed to you that you have been processed at immigration and have permission to be in the country.

• Baggage collection - by this time most of the luggage from the flight has been collected so it was a quick pick and go.

• Sim Card collection - this took approximately 10 minutes including SIM registration.

After the above key activities, I then tried to figure out how to get to the hotel. After a quick Google Maps search, it showed the hotel as 30 minutes away. Google Maps is valuable on any international trip as it also shows you which train and or bus to take, any walking required between stops etc. There are signposts throughout the airport directing you to where to access public transport as well as e-hailing taxis. I opted for a taxi as I was tired and did not want to do the additional walking and public transport switching required to reach the hotel. I used the Grab app, with a $5 discount code that is on the airport banners Final price to the hotel was $18,60 for a 23,29km travel distance. I also downloaded myTransport.SG app which I highly recommend for navigating the city using the bus and train, providing details of routes, timings, stops etc.

The rest of the day consisted of:

• Hotel check-in and rest - I did not request early check-in (on purpose) considering I arrived almost 6 hours before check-in time of 3 pm. I enquired If I could check in early once I got there, and the receptionist informed me this would cost an additional $100. I then enquired about the earliest possible time I could check in without paying, which was 11 am, which meant I had nearly 1hr30 minutes until then. Long story short, at about 1030am I could access the room. For this hotel, Pan Pacific Orchard, a $200 deposit is required and placed on a credit card, refunded 7 days after checkout. Once in the room and having taken a much-needed shower, I took a nap.

• Hotel Tour - I got a view of the various amenities available - pool, garden, spa, gym, 2 different restaurants. The hotel is stunning and very serene with all the greenery surrounding it.

• Chinatown - I took a walk to the nearest train station approximately 400m away from the hotel to Chinatown. On this day I scanned my Global bank card at the train entrances ($3 return) and used the visual maps as well as Google Maps to guide which train to take and where to stop. It was very easy to navigate. Chinatown in any country is infamous for food stalls with some selling Chinese household products. As the timing of the trip coincided with the Chinese Lunar Year (which I was not aware of before travelling), some of the stalls in the area were closed. It was still buzzing with people and after looking at different menus, I chose one to have a warm meal as it had started raining, a tom yum soup and rice for about $19.19 including tax and tip. Whilst in the area, I withdrew $100 at the ATM to have some cash on hand.

I returned to the hotel using the train and looked up activities to do for the next day. This is where the Chinese Lunar Year celebrations caught me off guard, some places were closed or fully booked for activities I wanted to do so no plans were made that night and rested for the rest of the evening.

Total costs for the day: $22.19 (not including hotel deposit + cash withdrawal)

Tips: Ensure you let someone know you have arrived safely and share with them your flight and accommodation details. Before travel, have a global, or international card that lets you swipe in any country for no additional costs e.g., FNB USD Global card, I just transfer funds before travel, and I can swipe and withdraw cash in any country for no additional costs. Singapore is hot and humid, take a handheld fan with you!

DAY 2

Hotel breakfast -As it was a special occasion, I opted for the hotel breakfast which I got at a discounted (still expensive) rate of $35++ however it was buffet style with lots of unique Asian food to try from noodles, desserts, soups etc. Note that ++ is Goods Service Tax (GST) and the service charge (gratuity). GST is set at 8% of the item's retail price and the service charge is typically 10%. Some places may charge both, 1 or none. The total ended up being $43.

Sentosa Island - There are various activities and sites to see on the island including some beaches (Palawan, Tanjong), Viva City Mall, Universal Studios etc. I used the bus, which was an hour’s ride from Orchard side of town. I opted for the bus as opposed to the train so that I could sightsee along the route and this was a fantastic idea. At this point, I had purchased the 3-day Singapore Tourist Pass for $34, which provides unlimited access to public transport for the 3 days, with a $10 refund if you return the card within 5 days. Do note you can only get the refund at specific train station kiosks.

I registered on the Sentosa Island website as a user, which gives a perfect view of everything available on the island and vouchers you can receive as a registered user for certain ticketed items. I primarily went to Sentosa island for the beaches, a beach club stop +Twelve (not a successful attempt), and other excursions but due to how full the area was as it was the start of the Chinese New Year and a Saturday, it was just too busy. The plus side is that this is another view of Singapore delights I got to see, with free bus shuttles that take people around the island to enjoy various attractions.

Sentosa Island and Singapore Cable Cart - This was the perfect way to end the day, with a skyline view of the city especially from sunset onward. I purchased a 1-day unlimited rides ticket for $22, discounted from $32 due to being registered on the island app. Do note there is a difference between the 2 cable carts and if you Google search, Singapore Cable Cart comes up more often than Sentosa (so you do not get lost like I did but I ended up seeing Resorts World). These cable carts run on 2 different lines. I maximized by spending well over 90 minutes in the sky enjoying the rides.

Total costs for the day: $99

Tip: Register for local websites, apps and ask to get as many discounted rates as possible.

DAY 3

New hotel check-in - After a relaxing morning at the hotel enjoying the facilities for the last time, it was time to head to the next hotel since I had up to 1 pm to check-out. I then headed to the next hotel, Citadines Rochor, using a Grab taxi for $21.50 (surge pricing). Check-in was seamless and after dropping my bags in the room, I ventured out into the neighbourhood.

Haji Lane - The area by the hotel is very busy because it is close to Little India. It was very overwhelming as there were lots of people in a compact area. I therefore decided not to venture into Little India but rather walked to Haji Lane. Unfortunately, some places were closed but in my opinion, there is not much to see in that area and I would not consider it a to-do list activity. It is a street away from Arab Street which is considered a tourist stop however, I did not go there.

Sentosa Island - After resting the rest of the afternoon, the evening plan was to go back to Sentosa Island as there was an event I had not done the day prior, The Wings of Time show which only happens at night. To get there, I used the train, then switched to Sentosa Express which was free using my Sentosa Islander pass. The Wings of Time show is a MUST, the cost is $16.15 (search the web to find the cheapest price at that time) and the show runs for about 20 minutes. Since I was already on the Island, I walked around to the other areas I had not seen the day before such as Siloso Beach.

Clarke Quay & Hill Street Building - The initial plan was to take the Sentosa Express to get to this location however due to long queues and other available travel options, I then took the free Sentosa shuttle to one stop that would connect me to the train for my next connection. Clarke Quay is a vibrant, buzzing area with beautiful views of the Canal and is also known for its nightlife. I also got to see the Hill Street Building which is rather spectacular at night. All I did in this area was walk around and sightseeing before heading back to the hotel.

I love that there are 7-Elevens everywhere and you can get substantial items from snacks to meals there and that was what I did!

Total costs for the day: $36.15 including cash spent on food

Tip: Be flexible to unexpected interruptions to your plan (long queues, places closed) and adjust accordingly for your exploration.

DAY 4

Marina Bay Sands Mall - I took the train to Marina Bay Sands Mall and walked around to see what shops they have, which are predominantly luxury stores except for Zara. Besides the mall itself, there is much to see outdoors such as the Bay area, the beautifully architected LV store, the ArtScience Museum etc. As a little treat for my tea-loving self, I had brunch at TWG which cost about $57.

Gardens by the Bay - After resting at the hotel for the rest of the afternoon, I ventured back to Marina Bay again (convenience of the train system!) in the evening to go to Gardens by the Bay. I made sure to purchase all my tickets for the attractions I wanted to visit before leaving the hotel to get the best deals available and avoid standing in long queues. I got a combo ticket on Pelago for Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, and Floral Fantasy for $33 - discounted by $10 by using my Singapore Airlines booking reference. Tickets for the OCBC Skyway cost $14, purchased on the Gardens by the Bay website. The first stop was Cloud Forest, a very beautiful and relaxing attraction that will take you about 90 minutes to fully Immerse yourself in.

After Cloud Forest, I went to the OCBC Skyway however there was a LONG queue for entry, so I waited until after the Garden Rhapsody Show (free show where the trees light up + music) which lasted about 5 minutes. After a lengthy wait for the OCBC Skyway, I finally got access to it as one of the last few people for the day and the wait was worth it for the spectacular skyline view of Marina Bay at night which I got to enjoy for +30 minutes.

Marina Bay Towers - I had dinner at Lavo on the 57th floor of the Towers which overlooks the Bay. Dinner cost about $67 and although the ambience and their service were good, I did not enjoy the food.

Total costs for the day: $171

Tip: Be ready for lots of walking! Bring comfortable shoes and airy clothes.

DAY 5

Suntec City - Just to venture to a different area, I went to the promenade area, ending up by Suntec City which is a mall. After randomly walking around, I found a Chinese spot to have breakfast, a pork soup with rice costing $12. I also got the famous Mr. Coconut drink for free after signing up on the website and since it was my birthday month, I got a free drink. After requesting a late check-out once again, of which I was only given 30 extra minutes, I went back to the hotel to pack and check out. The venturing continued as I could leave my bags at the hotel.

Gardens by the Bay - I had not managed to do all the excursions on the ticket I purchased so I went back, this time starting with Floral Fantasy which is a garden area of real florals beautifully arranged. I could take my time on this day, almost 90 minutes, taking in nature and touring at my own pace as it was a quieter day. I then went to the Flower Dome which was also part of my ticket however I did not stay for long. In my opinion, of the 2, only Floral Fantasy is worthwhile however I found when looking for tickets e.g., for Cloud Forest, there were only combo tickets and Floral Dome is always included.

Sightseeing - From Marina Bay, I then took a bus to do more sightseeing, with no end destination in mind. I just took note of the route it went to and got on. By now my Singapore Tourist Pass had expired, so I just reverted to using my Global card to scan for public transport ($6.12 for the day). This sightseeing took about 2 hours before I took a train back to the hotel. I rested for a bit in the public area before getting my luggage and heading to the airport around 8 pm using Grab which cost $19.90

Changi Jewel - Singapore Changi is infamous for its incorporation of nature within the building and plenty of activities, hence arriving at the airport almost 5 hours before my flight to enjoy some of this. After a walk to terminal 2 and the area known as Jewel which is encased with a mall all around. I arrived in the area just in time for the HSBC Fountain Jewel Show which lasts for about 5 minutes. To get closer to the Jewel, I got access to the Canopy Park for $8 which includes the Petal Garden, Discovery Slides etc. The Mirror Maze, Bouncing Net etc., require an additional ticket at a cost.

The last meal of the trip was a chicken noodle soup for about $13 and of course, a venture to the gift shop was a must to get a souvenir, which was an $8 deck of cards with images of Singapore’s attractions. I also purchased some snacks to bring home for about $9.

Total costs for the day: $76

Tip: Map out what you would like to do at the airport including which terminal and operating times to maximize your airport experience.

This rounds off my first solo trip abroad! Singapore was a delightful, relaxing, peaceful and safe trip for me and I will forever be grateful to the YOLO energy that made me decide to just go for it. Of course, I did not get to do every single thing I would have loved to, so here are a few mentions that you may want to include in your itinerary:

• CapitaSpring

• Merlion Park

• A museum or gallery e.g., ArtScience, National Museum of Singapore

• Green Heart Marina One

• SensoryScape Sentosa

• Bugis Street

• Hawker Centre