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Planning a staycation in Singapore? There's plenty to eat, see and do |
With Chinese New Year less than a fortnight away, it
seems unlikely my old friend AK will get the chance to welcome the Ox Year with
her parents in Malaysia. Since the coronavirus doesn’t look like it’s
disappearing anytime soon nor will the Malaysia-Singapore borders be opening in
time for CNY, I told AK to forgo her trip home and use the festive break to
rediscover Singapore instead.
“AK, thousands of people fly from around the world to
visit Singapore every year. Why don’t you take a step back, pretend you’re a
visitor and see Singapore through that perspective? Sometimes we take our own
backyard too much for granted-lah!” I rationalized with her.
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Savvy travellers will find tons of info in Traveloka |
When AK groused about not knowing where to start, I
pointed her to Traveloka. The online portal is chockful of
useful travel tips and information with links to hotel, restaurants, activities, packages, promotions and everything savvy
travellers need to enhance their travel experience.
I believe AK will be able to enjoy her CNY break if
she puts her mind to it and does her groundwork using Traveloka. Not only would
it save her time and effort with the overall planning, she can’t make any lame
excuses about not knowing what kind of staycation she wants. For
instance, if she looks under Staycation Singapore in Traveloka, out pops a
list of inspiring staycation ideas: from romantic rendezvous for couples to
family-friendly escapades and gourmet getaways for friends.
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Food paradise...from humble fare to refined restaurants, Singapore has it all |
Depending on her budget, AK can take her pick from the
mind-boggling range of hotels, be it budget-friendly or budget-busting … oooh, how
I wish I’m going on staycation too!
As for the types of activities to fill her time, I
daresay AK would be spoiled for choice. I must remind her to take advantage of
the Singapore Rediscovers Vouchers in Traveloka. I bet many Singaporeans
haven’t been on the interesting tours offered in the Singapore Rediscovers
section! I find the activities are varied enough to please sporty go-getters
and adventure-seekers, animal and nature lovers, history and modern
entertainment buffs — there’s something to suit everyone.
Thinking how Chinese New Year is synonymous with our
roots and heritage, AK may like booking a Kampong Buangkok tour. I’m sure the
charming village will stir up nostalgic feelings of her hometown back in
Perak.
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Few visitors can resist the captivating call of a day trip to Pulau Ubin |
Hmm…she may want a full-blown tour to Singapore’s last
surviving Kampung followed by visits to urban mushroom, wheatgrass and
vegetable farms or an exciting day trip to Pulau Ubin. Ah, if it wasn’t for
these pandemic times, I’d dearly love to join AK on these interesting
excursions.
Of course, no staycation is complete without good
food. Since it’s Chinese New Year, I wonder if AK would be game to embark on a Crazy
Rich Asians Insta Tour with Cocktail Making Workshop…Hey, it’s not every day
one gets a chance to ride in a Vespa sidecar touring some of Singapore’s ritzy
locations and... YOLO, so why not?
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The much-talked-about "Jewel" in Changi Airport's crown is a sight to behold |
Again, I found Singapore Rediscovers Vouchers
aplenty for guided walks, immersive tours, and hands-on cooking workshops —
such a boon for those who are keen to learn and discover local culinary secrets
and gems through experiential sessions.
Should AK prefer more sensible suggestions, then I’d
propose she goes for the ‘Singapore: Melting Pot of Tea’ tour where she’ll have
a chance to learn about more than 20 tea blends, sample delicious tea from
traditional to modern, and even try making her own. Although I’m unsure about
her interest in kitchen forays, perhaps a Hainanese or a Hokkien cooking class may
strike a chord in view of the festive season or would that remind her too much
of what she’s missing back home?
Even though she can’t return to Malaysia this Chinese
New Year, I’m willing to bet AK will enjoy her staycation in Singapore thanks
to all the tips I’ve shared with her from Traveloka. Now won’t that be an
Ox-spicious way to welcome the Lunar New Year?