trip planning Archives • Cook the Beans

Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia, with a tropical climate, great food, busy vibe where its always something happening I stumble in many cultural activities like concerts, performances, multimedia and water projections, so try to be aware and look at all the billboards and posters that came across to you. As you know Singapore is not the cheapest place to visit when you have a tight budget, but it’s possible, and definitely worths a visit even if short.

I travel by bus from Malacca to Singapore (24RM), took 4hours to the border, then we left the bus twice to show our passports. If you do the same be prepared to run… because the second time you leave the bus, they will give you 20 minutes, so take all your belongings with you and if you lose the bus don’t worry you just need to wait an hour for the next one.

Once in Singapore it’s easy to travel around, they have a good and easy public transport system and almost everyone speaks English 🙂 when using the bus just make sure you have always the correct amount because they don’t give change.

Here is a list of my favorite places, that you should visit and tips to save money:

Places to explore:

Marina Bay – very cosmopolitan, great views, includes The Merlion Square
Botanic gardens – is a Unesco World Heritage Site, It’s more natural than Gardens by the Bay which seems to be more man-made (although very beautiful in its way) – free entry – they have frequent concerts from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra come early and bring a picnic.
Gardens by the Bay – this futuristic garden deserves a visit during the day-light and another visit during the night between 7.45pm and 8.45 pm, when the trees twinkle and glow with music – free entry
Marina Bay Sands – great views
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, great place near The Merlion Square. Has always lots going on (some are free). The shape on the outside was inspired on the famous durian fruit.
Baba House – (Peranakan home) located near Chinatown has a free hour-long tour but booking is required
Sri Mariamman Temple – oldest Hindu temple –free entry
Thian Hock Keng – Singapore’s oldest Chinese temple –free entry
Clark Quay – busy nightlife
Southern Ridges trail – great walking trails through 10km of forest and canopy walks.
China town
Little India
Arab district (great walk early morning before the crowds arrive) don’t miss the Haji Lane – it’s heaven for art and culture lovers.
Orchard Road

Museums:

Art Museum (free on Fridays after 6pm), incredible good
Peranakan Museum (1/2 price after 7pm – $5)
Asian Civilisation Museum (1/2 price after 7pm – $5)
National Museum ($10) – check the website for free guided tours – offered daily

If you have time:

Movie Mob – free outdoor movie with drive-in concept and picnic events. Happens around Singapore (check their page)
Haw Par Villa (founder of Tiger Balm) outdoor exhibitions of Chinese mythology and legends. – free entry
East Coast Park – 15km stretch of beach (can get busy during the weekend)

Accommodation: it will be your biggest expense in Singapore, so you must do your research with time and book before your arrival. Backpacking is by far the cheapest option you can get something for $20-30 p/night. If you want more privacy and be in contact with local people airbnb would be a good option.

Eating: hawker centers are by far the cheapest and best option you have to taste Singapore’s multi-cultural food. I have tried many different ones and they were all a complete delight for every foodie,a main can cost from $3-7. Remember that in Singapore you can drink tap water it is safe and clean.

I hope you don’t miss Singapore from your travel list.

? More about vegan food in Singapore ?

Sarawak Borneo will amaze you with its culture and natural beauty. The Island of Borneo has probably one of the richest and diverse ecosystems I ever saw, but unfortunately, many of its forests have been lost for oil palm, putting wildlife and people in danger.

I started my trip in the capital Kuching and I used bus, boat, motorbike, bicycle, and minivans to travel, these are the places I visited :

? Kuching / Santubong peninsula / Bako National Park / Semenggoh Nature Reserve/ Bau / Kubah National Park

Kuching

Explore Kuching and it’s an old colonial charm by foot, losing yourself in its magnificent streets from china town, Indian neighbourhood and the riverfront. I highly recommend you to visit the museums they are really good, look up for street art and don’t miss the sunset on the riverfront.

To visit the other side of the river, get one of the local boats (1RM each side), go for a walk, enjoy the view and try a traditional Kek Lapis (layer cake).

Santubong Peninsula

In Kuching, you can rent a motorbike in the city for 40RM a day to explore the small villages around including Santubong Peninsula, a nice quiet town with great views and beaches.

I went to the Matang wildlife centre but I don’t recommend it at all, they may do a good job at rescuing and helping the animals but they are all in small cages, I found it quite depressing.

Bako National Park

We got the red bus nº1 stopped in front of the open market in Kuching to Bako National Park (3.50RM) the park entry is 20 RM, and the boat 40RM both ways (runs from 8 to 15h). You definitely need to spend at least a day there and do a couple of trails. The park as beautiful mangrove swamp, luxurious rainforest, streams, waterfalls, and if you’re lucky (like me ) you may see proboscis monkeys in their native habitats. This park has incredible biodiversity, which includes almost every vegetation type in Borneo.

Semenggoh Nature Reserve

We went to Semenggoh Nature Reserve to see semi-wild orangutans in their natural habitat for that we got a bus from Kuching (4RM) at 7:20 from the open market stop. Once in the reserve, you need to walk to the feeding point, the entry is 10RM. Be aware that you may not be lucky enough to see them. They have 2 hour-long feedings, 9am to 10am and from 3pm to 4pm.

Bau

Next stop was Bau, the bus from Kuching takes an hour, the bus is an old one so expect a sweaty journey (4.5RM). Bau is a small clean and organised town, has a good market, a food court and a Chinese temple that deserves a visit.

Once in Bau we realised that was difficult to find public transports to take us to the different caves so we started walking and hitch-hiked. Hitchhiking was safe and we meet really nice and interesting people. We visited the fairy cave (5RM), a really nice and impressive open mountain cave, no light needed. then we took another lift to the wind cave Nature reserve (5RM) for this one you need a torch, there is plenty to see and lots and lots of bats.

If you plan to come back to Kuching by bus, the last one departs at 3:20, but never trust the bus schedules 🙂 they often leave early.

Kubah National Park

To go from Kuching to Kubah National Park, get the bus K21 (4RM) and its an hour ride. The entry is 20RM. The park is gorgeous with lots of hills, ups and downs.

I personally found it quite tiring, so get your legs ready. The park offers several trails from one hour to several hours, you can’t buy food or water in the park, so bring something.

I did a couple of trails including the trail to the waterfall where you can get refreshed and visited the frog pond.

The last bus the Kuching is at 1:30 but if it doesn’t appear you will have minibus passing and you can ask them to stop (5RM)