Home is not just a place on a map; it’s a feeling, an essence that resonates within us no matter where life takes us.
From the silver screens of Hollywood to the glossy pages of travel magazines, Singapore was now on every travellers bucket list.
Yet, for me, Singapore was more than just a glamorous backdrop or a tourist destination—it was the birthplace of my fondest memories, the crucible of my formative years, and the cornerstone of my identity.
I couldn’t help but notice how much had changed
Join me as I recount my journey of rediscovery, as I navigate the familiar streets of Singapore with fresh eyes and an open heart.
From tearful goodbyes at the airport to joyful reunions with old friends, from the labyrinthine corridors of Changi Airport to the vibrant markets of Chinatown.
This is more than just a travelogue—it’s a love letter to the place I once called home.
Day 1 – May 23, 2023
Our plane landed at Changi Airport just as the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the terminal. After enduring a long 15-hour flight, we made our way through passport checks and retrieved our luggage from baggage claim
A word of advice for fellow travellers:
- Avoid purchasing EZ-link cards or SIM cards at the airport, as they tend to be overpriced.
- Using GRAB or UBER is more convenient and cost-effective for getting around.
- We opted for the Singtel SGD $12 tourist SIM card includes 100 gigabytes of cellular data.
TOP priority is to shower!
We stumbled upon Hub&Spoke, a hidden gem located 15 minutes from the airport, offering shower facilities for SGD $5 and there are disposable towels for SGD $6
The modern facilities and refreshing outdoor showers, surrounded by lush foliage, provided a refreshing experience akin to showering in a tropical paradise.
Air-conditioning in the locker/changing room with two large sinks, and a hair dryer. the facilities are clean and modern.
There was enough counter space for me to do my makeup, good lighting, and a full-length mirror.
Freshen up surrounded by the sounds of nature and foilage!
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The Jewel @ Changi Airport Mall
Operations starts at 9am and by 11 AM, the Jewel was bustling with activity, but we managed to capture a clean shot amid the crowd.
Venturing into the attached shopping mall, we marvelled at its expansive layout and unique design. Despite our fatigue from lugging around our luggage, the mall’s ambience provided a refreshing change of scenery.
En route, we stumbled upon a promotion offering SGD $5 off for first-time GRAB users, making our journey even more convenient.
We booked a ride to pick us up at the waiting area in the basement of Jewel Changi Mall.
The seamless experience left us impressed as we made our way to Chinatown for just SGD $20.
Chinapoint Mall
Arriving at the CUBE Boutique Hostel in Chinatown we leave our luggage in the lobby before venturing out to find a Singtel for a Singapore SIM card.
We walked to the nearest Singtel which was about an 8-minute walk from our hostel.
Our hostel is right above the cafe on the right side of this photo
CUBE Boutique Hostel in Chinatown
We then came back and checked into the CUBE Boutique @ Chinatown.
We rested for a bit before heading out again to eat dinner at the famous Maxwell Hawker Center. 😌
But before dinner, we stopped by a Watson to pick up some essentials. 🏪
We made our way to Maxwell Hawker Center. My excitement from sharing a piece of my nostalgia overflows when I introduce Peter to Sugarcane juice. He loves it. 🥰
At Heng Heng Haniese Chicken Rice Stall just as we were about to pay, Peter realised he left his wallet at Watson… 😱
He dashes back to the Watson while I walk behind him, running in this heat? HARD PASS. 🙅🏻♀️🚫
I soon lose track of him, but I make it back to the Watson.
The old couple told me he had just left and that they had returned his wallet to him.
Relief washes over me, yet I have no way of contacting him we only bought one SIM Card! 😭
I stay at the Watson hoping that he’ll come back. 20 minutes later…
Peter didn’t come back 😒
I find my way to Chinatown, walking into a friendly looking dessert store, bless their hearts because they let me use their WiFi. Singaporeans are so nice 😊❤️
I FaceTime Peter, sending him my location.
I feel like a lost child; who just went to the information counter at a mall, calling for my parents over the intercom.
Sitting in the glass window of this store, I see Peter from a distance, I chuckle at the sight of him. Completely drenched in sweat.
I raise my hands, waving to catch his attention, and when his eyes meet mine. Relief washes over him like he found a lighthouse on a stormy night.
Am I wearing rose-colored glasses? Or is Peter just head over heels in love with me?
Exhausted yet reunited at last, we made our way to Maxwell Hawker Centre. The time is after 9 PM so most stalls were already closed.
The thing about content creation is that sometimes sh*t happens and things never really go according to plan. I wish I had taken more pictures but I did film us eating our food at least.
We went back to CUBE hostel, hopped into the showers, which I rate a 4/10 because the washroom were shared, and the provided shampoo and body soap were not great.
Just some pictures from my time in Singapore. I want to close this chapter of my life as this has been in my drafts since 2023. Moving forward to more things 🙂
