A Day in Singapore

I arrived in Singapore on a quiet Sunday morning, landing at Changi Airport after a grueling 17-hour flight. Eager to finally be on solid ground, I stepped off the plane and was immediately struck by how empty the airport was. I had expected a bustling scene, but instead, it was surprisingly calm. Clearing customs was a breeze, and within minutes, I was shedding layers of clothing, embracing the warmth of Singapore’s tropical air.

At the taxi stand, I quickly caught a cab to my hotel. As we drove through the city, I noticed how deserted the streets were. Curious, I asked the driver about it, and he explained that not only was it still early, but it was also the Lunar New Year holiday—a time when many locals were away traveling.

The driver dropped me off at the Carlton City Hotel, located in the heart of Chinatown. Since it was still quite early, my room wasn’t ready yet. I left my bags with the concierge and set off to explore the city.

I walked for hours, taking in the sights. I stopped by the iconic Merlion, admired the towering Ferris wheel, and marveled at the grandeur of Marina Bay Sands. Along the way, I passed bustling food stalls and tour buses packed with visitors. Though the aroma of street food was tempting, most of it was seafood—which isn’t really my thing—so I decided to keep moving.

After several hours of exploring, I returned to the hotel, exhausted and drenched in sweat from the humid heat. Checking in with the front desk, I was told my room would be ready in about 15 minutes. When the wait was finally over, I took the elevator up, walked down the hall, and entered my room. It was modern and comfortable. Without hesitation, I dropped my bags and jumped straight into the shower. The next thing I knew, I had passed out from sheer exhaustion.

Hours later, I woke up to darkness outside. Ready to explore again, I ventured out to the Gardens by the Bay. The illuminated Supertrees were mesmerizing, and I wandered through the park, soaking in the beauty of the night.

Everything was going well—until the rain started. At first, it was light, but before I knew it, I was caught in a full downpour. I rushed to the nearest train station for shelter, waiting for the rain to ease. Once it lightened up, I walked back to the hotel, drenched but strangely content.

Tomorrow, I have a ship to catch.