I have to admit, jet lag sometimes has its advantages. I spent my first full day in Singapore exploring, sweating, and walking. So. Much. Walking. And on that note. So. Much. Sweating. As soon as the hotel’s free breakfast was open, I was there. Ready. So ready to eat. And so was everyone else staying in the hotel, apparently.
The breakfast was kind of hilarious. It was a platter of hotdogs, cucumber and tomato slices, yogurt and cereals and one other unidentified object. I went for the yogurt and cereal option. Oh, and of course the coffee option as well.
I packed my backpack with extra clothes, my laptop, chargers and basically everything I would need to leave for the day and was out of the hotel by 7:30 am. I spent the first couple morning hours exploring Arab St, the Sultan Arts Village, and surrounding areas. The benefit of getting up and out so early was that the streets were essentially empty – making it easy to take all the photos – and it was relatively cool outside.
Around 9:00 about about 3+ miles of walking later, I was in need of coffee. I stumbled into a Oromo Coffee, a fancy looking coffee shop that shares space with a Subway sandwich shop (no joke…).
I sipped my extremely strong iced coffee all the way to Yoga Movement which I decided to give another shot.
Every studio in Singapore makes you wait to get contacted by someone before you can register for class…and I just don’t got time for that!
I did the 10 am Hot Power class with Janet which was hot…but still not quite “power.” While it wasn’t what I would call a power yoga class, it was definitely fun. We spent most of the time opening our hips in various ways – lizard, compass, pigeons – and then we explored grasshopper and flying pigeon poses while the sweat just poured all over. Arm balances with slippery legs and arms are no joke.
What I liked most about Janet’s class was her no nonsense approach to getting people to fly and of course, her attitude. She is friendly, sweet and approachable. So friendly in fact that it changed my whole outlook on Yoga Movement. After class, I went straight for the locker room, started shedding my sweaty sticky sports bra and then realized I still needed a photo. Janet caught me grasshoppering under the art and offered to help me take the photo. We chatted for a few and then off to the locker rooms / showers (another huge plus about this studio!). I did a two minute rinse, changed into my clothes for the day and then asked Janet and the front desk girl about lunch places nearby.
They pointed me in the direction of this gigantic mall (most everything in Singapore seems to revolve around some kind of giant mall space) – in fact, Janet walked me there. I found a pho restaurant, sat at the loners table (aka community table) and enjoyed some veggie pho and a lemongrass + ginger iced tea.
After lunch, I made my way down Orchard Road – just watching and observing all the shoppers, walkers, and gigantic shopping mall areas.
Next, I stumbled on Emerald Hill which is a street filled with old houses, dating back to the 1930’s – all with so much character, color and charm!
After Emerald Hill, I wandered around a Youth Park before turning around and making my way back down the other side of Orchard Road (under a shady canopy of trees).
I made another pit stop in Istana Park…
…and then found myself in a little cafe with an adjoining art space, My Art Space, where I drank an iced tea, caught up on emails and watched people paint.
Next I made the long trek out to the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
I walked all the way up Orchard Road, observing all the street arts, the crowds, the crazy amounts of shopping. Endless shopping. I made my way over and under the street, weaving between people until finally I was no longer on Orchard but Tanglin Road. Another district in Singapore. I walked for another couple miles (?) until finally I saw signs for the garden. I was so sweaty by the time I reached the garden but also very excited.
The botanic gardens are my all time favorite thing I’ve done in Singapore. It’s like taking Golden Gate Park or Central Park and adding incredible flowers, trees and even iguanas.
It’s a public park so there are people out walking, jogging, playing frisbee, or just hanging out on the grass and then there’s all these beautiful flowers and trees.
I spent a good amount of time just chilling listening to music by this lily pad filled pond – on my Aftershokz, of course.
And amazing history.
And of course, the Orchid Garden was incredible and totally worth the $5 admission.
I seriously couldn’t get enough.
I was there for nearly 3 hours walking around (more miles). By the time I left, the sun was going down and I was starving. I started my long walk home and could barely feel my feet anymore. 12 hours of being on your feet will do that, I suppose. I ended up walking by Mo’mor Izakaya – they had live music and outdoor seating – so I stopped in and sat down to eat. I ended up sitting at a long, outdoor community table that faced the bustling street and had a glass of happy hour wine accompanied by edamame and the most delicious cauliflower ever. Who says you can’t have wine with a side of veggies for dinner?
I loved sitting there watching the city – many groups of people, probably on their way to the gardens ran by – making me miss my own running group back home. I eventually walked back to the hotel after awhile so I could do a little more work, check in on things at home and of course, go to bed …. because going to bed early here is how I roll.
I woke up today (Friday in Singapore) at 5:30am and plan to start my day soon, now that it’s getting a little lighter out. I’ll keep y’all posted on where I end up today!
Stay sweaty friends!
XOXO
Jamie
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