National_Geographic_Traveller_India-May_2018

48 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER INDIA | MAY 2018

THE ITINERARY SINGAPORE

E AT

FOODIE PAR ADISE
Crafty venue Druggists
pours 23 rotating draft
brews to pair with spicy
global dishes, all set inside
an 80-year-old shophouse
that still hosts the spot’s
namesake, the Singapore
Chinese Druggists
Association. A must-try
cuisine? Nonya, the aromatic
mix of Chinese and Malay
flavours that originated
in Singapore, Malaysia,
and Indonesia. House of
Peranakan Petit serves
a savoury selection of the
classics, like long bean
sambal and coconut-tinged
beef rendang. At Open Farm
Community diners can take
a post-meal walk around
produce plots to see veggies
and herbs destined to appear
on plates.

S TAY

LUXURY GONE
GREEN
Just a short stroll from the
main shopping strip along
Orchard Road, boutique
hotel Lloyd’s Inn features
a striking minimalist design
that highlights the lush
greenery adorning its roof
terrace, garden deck, and
dipping pool (lloydsinn.com).
Parkroyal on Pickering calls
itself a “hotel in a garden,”
with floors wrapped in
foliage and waterfalls (www.
parkroyalhotels.com). From
its nearly 1,000-foot-long
garden walkway, guests
relish verdant views. For
a luxurious eco-escape
beyond the city, hop a ferry
to Cempedak resort in
Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago
and lounge in the sustainably
built bamboo villas that meld
into the natural surroundings
(www.cempedak.com).

PL AY

FAW N I NG OV E R

FLOR A

Gardens by the Bay has

two huge conservatories

brimming with plants, but it

may be best known for the

Supertree Grove, a group

of man-made structures

that rise up to 160 feet

and mimic the functions of

their natural counterparts.

Crossing through four parks,

the Southern Ridges walk

offers elevated stops along

its 10-kilometre route, giving

different perspectives on

the mix of jungle and urban

settings in the distance. Take

the ferry to Pulau Ubin and

rent a bike to explore one of

Singapore’s last kampongs,

or villages, with plenty of

flora and fauna to check

out too.

SHOP

DECOR A ND

DESSERTS

Gallery shop Supermama

is famed for its blue-and-

white porcelain plates

decorated with iconic views

of Singapore. Collaborating

with a network of local

designers, The Farm Store

beckons buyers with

offerings like pillows,

earrings, and coasters

inspired by Singaporean

culture. At Ji Xiang

Confectionery the selection

of handmade ang ku kueh

sells out quickly. Go early to

sample the classic Chinese

dessert consisting of a sticky

rice-flour shell stuffed with

sweet or savoury fillings

such as peanuts, yam, and

coconut.¾

Clockwise from top:

Photo-worthy Marina

Bay; craft brews

at Druggists; hot

shop Supermama;

Sri Mariamman,

Singapore’s oldest

Hindu temple.

500 mi

500 km

SINGAPORE

MALAYSIA

South

China

Sea

INDONESIA

IN

DI

AN

(^) OC
EAN
[email protected]
(WATERFRONT AND RESTAURANT)
, COURTESY SUPERMAMA
(SHOP)
, SENG CHYE TEO
(TEMPLE)
, NG MAPS