World-class food, art, hotels: The upsides of living in Singapore in a time of coronavirus
I'yard not going to lie. Just like many others in Singapore, I am however reeling from not being able to travel. It is hard non to feel a pang of jealousy when I encounter friends who are living overseas post wanderlust-worthy photos as they roam their own, much larger countries. Cabin fever is also largely unavoidable, especially since information technology is not quite possible to enjoy a dramatic change in scenery on our little cherry dot.
All the same, the best way to cope with a world that has vastly inverse is to practise ane's best to see the silvery lining in this deject. The brightest, shiniest lining is of form that because Singapore is pocket-sized enough, nosotros take been able to measure, track and isolate COVID-19 cases with efficiency. This in plough has given many of us in the country the chance to enjoy a semblance of normality in these hugely aberrant times.
Inspired by how domestic tourism has taken off in many other locales (for example, Italians are finally taking time to visit attractions in Rome because they practice non have to jostle with tourists) and the Singapore Tourism Lath'south SingapoRediscovers campaign, I've decided to embark on my own extended "Singapoliday".
READ> Due south$45 meg tourism campaign launched urging locals to explore Singapore
To become into that vacay state of mind, I accept taken to making meticulous plans similar I would when I travel. As a self-professed foodie – similar the majority of the local population – these plans often involve making painstaking reservations at the hottest restaurants and watering holes in boondocks.
I assure yous, Singapore'southward F&B scene has not disappointed in supplying that blitz of adrenaline. It appears that a combination of reduced seating due to safety distancing measures and hordes of bored people has resulted in an unusually big demand for dining out.
A word of advice – unless you are willing to eat at weird hours similar dejeuner at 2pm or dinner at 5pm, be certain to book your table at least ii weeks in advance. This sure feels like Tokyo or New York, doesn't it?
Only a few weeks agone, I finally managed to snag a spot at the four-seater omakase concept Smalls by chef Bjorn Shen, where reservations are snapped up within a minute of their release. It was a triumphant moment equal to when I secured seats at globally renowned restaurants similar Eleven Madison Park in New York or Pujol in Mexico City.
READ> Singapore'south smallest restaurant? Bjorn Shen's new pizza bar seats only four
Equally for those who wish to stay away from the madding crowd for the time existence – although seating at fine-dining restaurants is generally quite well spaced out, in any example – there are a number of standout habitation delivery options that are a cut above the residue.
For instance, food by three-Michelin-starred Odette is ceremoniously presented to you lot at your doorstep by a man in a well-fitted suit. I've also recently discovered the app past i-Michelin-starred French restaurant Ma Cuisine, where you can order a S$289 braised guinea fowl and a designer boutonniere of Dan Takeda flowers to go with your nosh. In that location is also an in-app chat function where you can seek sommelier-recommended wine pairing suggestions.
Of course, ane needs to continue occupied in-between all that feasting.
Well, in that location'south no improve time than the present to roam the country's top sights such as Gardens by the Bay and Gem Changi Airport, which are much less crowded these days. Be sure to have Insta-worthy photos to incite a small bout of FOMO (fear of missing out) among your social media followers.
A suggestion – get yourself to the new floating Apple Marina Bay Sands shop and you volition literally exist among the showtime in the globe to snap a coveted photograph before vehement tourists swarm to it when restrictions are eventually lifted.
Perhaps yous are feeling generous and wish to treat yourself to a spot of shopping – while stimulating the local economic system at the aforementioned fourth dimension. In that location is no meliorate time than this safely distant present to bask in a designer's personalised attention in a by-engagement-merely boutique with no one else to crowd you out. From suits and gowns to perfumes, watches and jewellery, this is your chance to snag a ane-of-a-kind memento.
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Of note is bag designer Ethan Koh, who recently launched two new collections, including a range called Essentials, which characteristic designs made in calf leather, denim and sail – a relaxed move away from his signature exotic skin pieces. Word has it that Koh is returning to London at the stop of September, so this may be your last gamble to get a individual consultation with him for a while.
Naturally, many people on city holidays savour partaking in their destination's cultural highlights and it is certainly worth doing this in Singapore as well. While performing arts such as theatre shows or music performances are withal undergoing pocket-sized-scale trials to ensure they are safe for audiences, fine art galleries and museums are now open.
The National Gallery Singapore has an exquisite collection of Southeast Asian works that cannot exist plant anywhere else in the globe, so if you have been wowed by the Louvre in Paris or New York'southward MoMA before, swing past to train your eye to appreciate a different style of fine art.
Those who bask wandering the art galleries of Mayfair, London or the 798 Art District in Beijing may wish to spend an afternoon at Gillman Barracks. Information technology is home to a cluster of galleries, where y'all might unearth some surprises.
I was amazed to observe a couple of paintings by Japanese national treasure Hiroshi Senju – frequent flyers may have noticed his large-scale waterfall paintings in Tokyo'southward Haneda Airport – at the Sundaram Tagore Gallery. At another gallery, my partner and I were treated to a private bout of the exhibition by the curator, only because we happened to be the merely ones visiting at that fourth dimension.
Finally, no staycation is consummate without at least a dark spent wrapped in luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and getting waited on hand and human foot by upscale housekeeping and room service staff.
The list of splurge-worthy boltholes, which include Capella Singapore, Raffles Singapore and Fullerton Bay Hotel, are as gorgeous as any of the acme hotels around the earth.
And best of all, current safe distancing measures ways that many of these posh getaways are even more than exclusive these days, making you lot feel like you lot are a world away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore.
Now that's a luxury similar no other.
READ> No travel, no trouble: What Singaporeans are doing on their 'Singapoliday'
Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/experiences/living-in-singapore-during-coronavirus-247391
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