Heritage Tour in Singapore

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Do more things that make your passport proud!

What do I remember about that very first day?

We left Chennai and landed in Singapore, and the first surprise was immigration. There was practically no one there. Instead of the usual long queues and officers stamping passports, it was mostly self-immigration kiosks. It felt futuristic and strangely calm — we just scanned, walked through, and that was it. Done.

*Singapore Heritage Tour*

We landed in Singapore early in the morning around 6 am. We had enough time to go to the airport lounge for breakfast and to freshen up. This was the last day we could use the Priority Pass!

Singapore airport is so fancy!

We had booked a free Heritage Tour through Singapore Airlines(Scoot) that is available only for passengers in transit at Singapore airport.

After we figured out the meeting point for the tour, we had 45 minute before the tour would begin. While Papu was resting in the waiting area, I wandered around in the airport looking for the butterfly garden. Carol from Canada also joined me in the adventure.

Garden City!

The butterfly garden was small area with a lot of flowers. It was cool to see so many butterflies inside the airport. I was trying to make one land on my hand with no success.

It was time to board our bus to go on a 2 & 1/2 hour tour with our mean Chinese or Malay guide. She was yelling and repeating the same things over and over about the rules and meeting points. While we were traveling in the bus through the city she gave some good information about the culture and the history of Singapore.

With some time in hand, we joined a free heritage tour around the city. It was on a big bus, and the tour guide was hilariously bossy. we honestly felt like kindergarten kids on a school trip again. It was funny more than anything.

First stop: Chinatown

A vibrant slice of Asia in the heart of Singapore

We got dropped off in the middle of a bustling street in Chinatown. It was cool to see the fruit vendors selling durian and other wares and souvenirs.

 It was a bit intimidating to wander far from our drop off spot because our guide yelled at us saying if we are not at the pick up point on time we will be left behind. So we just hung out in that area where we spotted coconut ice cream. 

We ordered one and shared with Carol who closely followed us everywhere. The ice cream wasn't very creamy or coconutty as we had hoped. We were expecting something similar to the Thai coconut ice cream we ate at the Floating Market in Bangkok. But that search will still continue...

Now it is time to board the bus to our next destination.

Next Stop: Arabic Quarters

 The Arabic quarters is a quaint area with several middle eastern restaurants with mouthwatering menu. We wished we had more time to chill in one of the small cafes and try their yummy offerings. We strolled all the way to the beautiful gold domed mosque. 

We visited a few souvenir shops. 

Even though it was a short visit, it was a better alternative to just sit in a seat in the airport. The heritage tour promised that they would take us back to the airport before our scheduled flight. That took the stress out of wandering during lay over. 

We got off at the airport hub where they had the food court and the Jewel waterfalls.

Bloomin’ in Singapore

There is no time to be bored in a world as beautiful as this

Jewel

After that we went to Jewel, and that place was breathtaking. The orchids everywhere, the lush greenery, and that massive indoor waterfall — it felt like stepping into some magical glass garden. We just stood there for a while taking it all in.

Concrete jungle with a tropical twist!

Ate at a restaurant at the food court 

Lunch, however… was not memorable for the right reasons.

All I remember is taking a bite of what looked like beef and accidentally swallowing a huge chewy, soggy chunk in one go. It just slid down before I could even process it. Even now, when I think about it, I can almost feel it again and I go — eww. Definitely not the culinary highlight of the trip.

After that we just walked. And walked. And walked some more. By the end of it I completely understood why Singaporeans are so fit — they walk everywhere.

Philippines Here We Come!

Soon it was time to catch our flight to Manila. 

Landed in Manila around 7 pm. Our true vacation officially started now!

When we landed there, the city strangely reminded me a little of Chennai — something about the vibe, the movement, the familiarity in the chaos.

While waiting in the line for immigration, Papu wanted to hug him so bad!!! I had to hold her back with all my might :)

The airport staff were very helpful in calling the hotel and arranging the pick up. We got picked up by the airport shuttle from the Achievers Hotel.

 Manila is so kachada. The traffic was congested and even though the hotel was so close to the airport in proximity it took us a few minutes to reach.

We checked into Achievers Airport Hotel, which was actually quite nice. One quirky thing I remember was this cool lift system they had just for suitcases — watching the luggage going down felt oddly satisfying.

And then came dinner.

Even though the hotel looked not too fancy and just adequate for a night stay, the small cafe inside was so cozy. We decided to order our dinner there. That was the best decision we made!

As usual, I went crazy when I saw mango on the menu! I ordered a fresh mango. It had good mango flavor but was a bit tart. 

Oh my goodness — green chilli chicken.

It was incredible. Spicy, flavorful, absolutely addictive. That meal honestly felt like the true beginning of our food vacation. Even now, sometimes my taste buds remember it and start craving it again.

After a long day of flights, walking, and new experiences, seeing the bed felt like a blessing. We crashed almost immediately, knowing we had an early flight the next morning to Puerto Princesa.

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!