Holiday in Singapore!

Fresh produce at Tekka Centre

     This is a long-overdue post. I am always the one who arranges the holidays and trips for the family, So last year my hubby came home and says that he was planning to participate in this conference in Singapore and wanted us to go with him since it was just the last week of the school before the holidays.
 After much secrecy, the boys were kept in the dark, and we planned it out. The teachers were informed and since it was last week there weren't any studies to miss so it wasn't a problem.

Boys found out on the day we left, and were literally jumping up and down with excitement.  I was a bit scared at first, because Singapore is known to be pretty expensive and this is the first time after a long time I will be doing most of the travelling around a country alone with the boys so I was praying I didn't get lost.

We booked a family room at Parc Sovereign Hotel on Albert Street, as it was near to the Hospital,where hubby had his conference.   The room was small but nice and clean and with a nice quiet pedestrian street. The famous Bugis street market was just 5 -8 minute walk and there were 3 MRT train stations just walking distance near the hotel. We each had a Ezlink card, little one didn't need one and much to his embarrassment was to be carried while going through the gate,LOL.  With the help of a few apps and thehalalfoodblog.com, I was able to find delicious halal food, and I have to say there were plenty of choices.  One of our favourites was  I Am .... on  Haji Lane and ZamZam in Kampong Glam.

Delicious drinks at I Am.. Cafe'

    The first day was a bit of a walk as hubby and I tried to figure out how to walk towards the museum,which according to the google map was just 10 minute's walk but which ended to a half an hour's walk , as we ended up taking the wrong direction and arrived tired and annoyed. But the cool air inside the museum cooled us off. It was nice in the museum, the little one got a little bored but the little guy enjoyed it , but both were tired due to lack of sleep from travelling the night before so we headed back to the hotel.

Ok  Now, I have to say getting around Singapore was so much easier than I thought and people were really helpful, especially being a mother alone with two small kids.   Before Hubby headed to the conference, we went to the Singapore Science Centre, which was a hit with the boys. They had an Avengers station, although I have to admit I was more of the superhero buff than all three boys (hubby included)combined.  You really need a full day to enjoy this place to the max.

Singapore Zoo  (the two monkeys are enjoying the sight of the zebras 😄)

The next day when hubby left, the boys and I took a taxi to visit the Singapore zoo. But by 11.00 am it was pouring rain and even with raincoats and in the tram inside the zoo, we couldn't quite see much. The shows got cancelled due to the rain. I am pretty sure the place would be loads of fun had it not rained so much.  But even with the little time we got, the boys loved it.

Before I left for Singapore I visited lots of websites to look for places to take the boys. One of them had a post on   Bounce!.

Little one bouncing around at Bounce!

Bounce! is a huge indoor trampoline park where you have to pre-book a session for an hour. And it was so much fun and well-maintained. I have to say Singapore kids we met were very nice and well-behaved, with no pushing and shoving around. Each gave the other a turn. Bounce! was so much fun, the boys had to purchase a special pair of socks before they headed to the trampoline area.  One hour went by in a flash.

Boys dream came true to get to handle real  construction machines at Diggersite

Another place they loved was  Diggersite at Jcube Mall. I wanted to go to the main one in Jurong but it was too far for me so I opted to go to digger site after reading about it here.  For boys and their love for machines, this is a great place to visit.  There were just three machines but it was such a treat for them to enjoy and they had the whole place for themselves as it was a weekday with a very helpful guy operating the place.

After hubby finished his conference we headed to Universal Studios on a Friday. The ride to Sentosa on a cable car was a treat itself.  Universal Studios was fun and enjoyable, little guy was able to ride most of the rides while  little one was very happy to see Elmo and the minions and hubby enjoyed the Waterworld show . My advice, book tickets online or at the airport before heading there and try going on a weekday to beat the crowd.

Man made waterfall at the cloud forest

Finally on the last day we visited Cloud Forest and Children's Garden in Gardens by the Bay.

 Water play area at the Children's Garden inside Gardens by the Bay

As for shopping, I didn't shop much but still did do a bit of shopping.  Its where you shop I think,  Places like Bugis street, Bugis Junction, and Jcube had a a few sales as it was December.  Our favourite bookstore,Kinokuniya Bookstore  was on Orchard street!! Spent a whole morning getting lost in there. Arab street and Kampung Glam also a great area to eat ( lots of Halal food )and shop, not sure about prices though.  Oh and Tekka centre, for checking out local food and beautiful produce! Unfortunately, I didnt get the chance to visit the famous Musthafa Centre though.

Over all , as the boys say one of the best holidays they had !

Ps,  I document and write about my travels as a way to help others, I travel on  a certain budget and also look for great places for the kids to enjoy as well for the adults to relax and enjoy and spend time with the kids. And of course the food.