Finding Our Rhythm on the Road
The next few days in Singapore were a mix of sightseeing and figuring out our new normal. For the boys and me, this trip wasn’t a vacation, it was an experience (Woah! Did you hear that? The unmistakable sound of eyes rolling across time, space, and the internet. Impressive). Ahem…an experience that included schooling, staying active, and learning how to function as our own small traveling team.
The boys had taken it upon themselves to stay in shape for their sports. Dan, though this was technically his vacation, wanted to help establish good habits. So, on the morning of Day 2, he took the boys to the gym while I worked on the blog, triple-checked tickets and entry requirements, and squared away schoolwork. Once reunited, we grabbed breakfast and headed out at what felt like the shockingly late hour of 9:30 a.m.
On trip days I like to be up-and-at-’em, ideally before the crowds. Singapore quickly taught me that, for some places, 9:30 is up-and-at-’em. Many attractions don’t open until 10, and crowds didn’t really build until 11 or even noon. This was somewhat offset by our travel timing, which coincided with school holidays, but overall we managed to slip in early and leave just as things were getting busy.
Gardens by the Bay: Visions of Green
Our first stop on Day 2 was the iconic Gardens by the Bay, a massive greenscaping initiative designed to give city dwelling Singaporeans increased access to green space. At 260 acres, much of it free and open, it’s a beautiful place to wander, and one of the only places we saw dog walkers, much to the tweens’ delight. Professional walkers managed packs of 20 or 30 dogs, chihuahuas to huskies (in this heat!), while runners and walkers filled the paths. Clearly, the plan was working.
Being unabashed tourists, we headed straight for the ticketed attractions: the Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome. I was grateful I’d booked tickets ahead of time; by our third stop, the on-site ticket lines were already long.
SuperTree Grove
We started with the Supertree Grove, which we initially thought might be a bit like the Kardashians – famous for being famous. But once we entered for the OCBC Skyway, we learned these vertical gardens are designed to mimic a tree’s natural processes. They harness solar energy, collect rainwater for irrigation, and help regulate airflow for cooling the conservatories. (Yes, I read all the plaques. You’re welcome.)
The Skyway offered great views and a welcome breeze. Is it worth the not-insignificant price? Maybe not, unless Singapore is in your “splurge” category. Worth noting: the nightly light show is free, so you could skip the Skyway and still enjoy the experience. For the boys, though, it was absolutely worth it, the slight sway, the height, the ocean-tinged breeze. The tween bounced and spun, peppering us with questions. The teen pretended not to care, then noogied his brother and took approximately 437 photos.
Cloud Forest
Next was the Cloud Forest Dome, home to the world’s second-tallest indoor waterfall and one of the most memorable stops of the day. The ecosystem represents a cloud forest, one of the world’s most endangered and biodiverse environments, accounting for less than 1% of global woodlands. The temperature drop hits you immediately, followed by the roar of cascading water. A winding path spirals upward around the falls, then slowly brings you back down as you’re introduced to plant after plant.
There were art installations, Instagram moments, and, because timing is everything, a Jurassic Park installation courtesy of Universal. Given the boys’ love of nature and hiking, I shouldn’t have been surprised that this was the day’s highlight. We left with nearly 300 photos. The sheer number of ferns, shrubs, and flowers deemed “photo-worthy” was… comical.
Flower Dome
Our final stop was the Flower Dome, which I found the most interesting. The rest of the family was firmly in the “let’s humor mom” phase. The Flower Dome, the largest greenhouse in the world, represents a cool, dry Mediterranean climate, the opposite of the Cloud Forest. The rotating exhibits focus more on plant diversity and design than spectacle. While the boys raced ahead and doubled back and raced ahead again, (“Why are you reading every plaque, Mom?”), I lingered, appreciating the artistry and detail.
Wear Sunscreen
By then, we needed a reset. Dan, still battling jet lag and a cold, and the boys voted for hotel downtime and pool time. I was easily convinced. The Fullerton’s pool, as previously mentioned, is epic, and we had evening plans to prep for.
Poolside lounging, a nap (for some), and refreshments worked their magic. A side note: wear sunscreen. Lots of it. Even with overcast skies, this close to the equator, we all managed to pick up color even in a scant 24 hours.
Marina Bay Sands: When the Weather Has Other Plans
That evening refreshed and a bit rosy, we headed to Marina Bay Sands. If you’ve seen images of Singapore, you’ve likely seen either the Merlion (the national emblem) or MBS. It’s a hotel, casino, luxury mall, theater, ice rink, and museum rolled into one. Our Grab driver mentioned that many visitors stay there and never leave the property.
Our goal was simple: the observation deck and an overpriced drink with a view. Tickets are timed and booking ahead, especially during holidays, is essential. Unfortunately, that also means you can’t plan around weather. While waiting to go up, the rain rolled in complete with thunder and lightning. Rain alone would’ve been fine, but lightning shut things down. Staff told us to wait 15–30 minutes and return.
Wandering MBS is hardly a hardship. We explored the grand lobby connecting all three towers—marble, gold, art installations, people coming and going. Locals dressed for special occasions, guests headed for the casino, tourists everywhere. An underground concourse lined with luxury watch stores (the boys lost count around 28) led to the mall: three stories of high-end brands, plus a canal where you can rent boats inside the mall. Opulence doesn’t quite cover it.
Eventually, we returned to the observation deck only to learn it was now closed for high winds. The staff advised us to photograph the official closure sign so we could try again another day or request a refund.
Disappointing, but manageable. The boys, however, were beyond done. Hunger had fully set in, which in tween-teen terms means bickering, dramatic sighs and eyerolls. Back to the mall we went in search of food.
After scanning the directory, I spotted Din Tai Fung, a name I recognized from another travel family’s recommendation. As soon as we arrived, I knew we’d made the right choice: it smelled incredible, there was a fast-moving line, and it was full of families. Also, the tween would like me to mention: robots escort you to your table.
The whole experience was efficient and low-touch. Orders via QR code, confirmation from a server, food arriving quickly and checked off one by one. Everything was delicious. The teen “won” the night by ordering a seasonal beef broth soup that we all happily slurped down.
Early Nights and Laundry
Back at the hotel, we tackled our first round of travel laundry. If you’ve read the “How to Pack” post, you may remember the Scrubba. I love it. When you pack only a week’s worth of clothes, laundry is inevitable. While some places make laundry services absurdly cheap, there will be times, especially in Europe, when DIY is the only option.
The Scrubba is far more effective than sink-swishing, and with two teenagers, we had plenty of muscle. While not exactly thrilled, the boys were intrigued enough that there was minimal complaining. I’ll report back in a few months to see how that enthusiasm holds.
With that, we sent the boys to bed. None of the usual bedtime grumbling, just excitement. Tomorrow was all about them, and they couldn’t wait.
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