Day 3 - Singapore — Wayfaring Abroad

A park on the way to the hospital waffles.

Waffles, that is how we started our day. Apparently, waffles folded in half with a filing in between is a breakfast item of choice in Singapore. It is enough so that we found a waffle place inside a hospital food court. I never thought I would be going to a hospital in order to get a waffle but after this morning it’s checked off the list.

From our hospital waffle we made our way to the metro in order to get to the Botanical Gardens. According to every major online tourist publication these gardens are the top attraction for Singapore. Well, the UNESCO Heritage site did not disappoint.

We arrived at the gardens around 11 am with the sun in the sky and the heat not quite set to oppressive yet. We began walking through with a couple rough end points in mind but found ourselves sidetracked at different lakes, gardens and pathways.

Eventually, after an hour or so wandering through the different paths we found ourselves at the visitors center where we quickly took advantage of the air conditioned gift shop. This was incredible and needed. It was just the rejuvenating shot to get us through the rest of the gardens.

From the visitors center we made our way to the Bansai Grove, Sundial Garden and Swan Lake. After turning back and heading towards the visitor center again for another dose of air conditioning, the rain began to trickle from the sky. At first it was sprinkling but shortly after we returned to the visitors center the thunderstorm really began.

We were at the visitors center along with about 30 other people all of whom were hunkered down for the time being as the rain was crashing down in large sheets and punishing the ground. We decided to set out in the rain and begin making our way back to the metro. We hadn’t eaten and we brought rain jackets for a reason.

A waterfall within the Botanical Gardens.

Right after setting out in the rain it seemed like this wasn’t a bad decision as the rain died down a bit but the more we followed the paths back to the metro it seemed that the rain was following us and getting stronger as we walked. The thunder was ringing out directly overhead and as we walked there were more and more people standing in gazebos and under any overhang they could find. Eventually, after a thorough drenching we made our way to the metro and began our journey for lunch.

Luckily, the rain wasn’t as strong near downtown and at Telok Ayer Market. We’d spent so much time at the gardens that we were lucky any of the stalls were open and we could eat. We each grabbed something different and had a good lunch while hoping that the rain would stay light for our walk over to the Cloud Forest in the Gardens by the Bay.

The rain only stayed light while we were safely under the overhangs of the skyscrapers. The second we were away from their guardianship, the rain began to flood out of the sky again and we were once again soaked from head to toe.

As we passed more and more people on the sidewalks we were greeted with looks of disbelief. No one could understand why we were walking through the torrential downpour.

Waterfall at the entrance of the Cloud Forest.

For us it made sense though, we were already as wet as we could be and we leave for Phuket tomorrow which means we have one last afternoon to see Singapore.

The Cloud Forest was a rather incredible view with a large artificial mountain with all different kinds of plants growing. The pathways snaking around the mountain had misters that would go off leaving the feeling of clouds. A large waterfall faced the entrance with water flowing many stories down. People stopped at the different sights to take photographs and there was even a couple taking wedding photographs with the mountain and its many different flowers in the background.

After wandering up through the pathways in the Cloud Forest we made it back to our apartment for a short breather and some dry clothing, but our day wasn’t done. I had wanted to go to Burnt Ends but failed to get a reservation, which meant we would need to try and get a walk-in spot. This meant getting to the restaurant and putting our name on the list early enough to get a table.

Looking along the pathway suspended on the mountain in the Botanical Gardens.

Luckily or unluckily we got our name on the list and had a good hour and a half wait until they thought they would have seats available. This meant a wait. So we found a milk tea place and sat for a while to waste time. While sitting, I began to look for a sample menu at Burnt Ends and in searching for this I read about another Michelin Guide rated restaurant in Singapore. This other place is a hawker stall not a half kilometer away from Burnt Ends. We decided to run over there while we waited and grab something to share.

Our wait for Burnt Ends allowed us to have two Michelin rated restaurants for dinner tonight so even though we spent more than half the day drenched and dripping with water, I have to call this a good day.

One of the many, many flowers adorning the mountain in the Botanical Gardens.