As I landed in Singapore it was like diving into a vibrant kaleidoscope, where each twist revealed new adventures, captivating sights, and the thrill of discovery.
One of the highlights of the trip was spending a full day at Universal Studios. The moment I walked through the gates, I was greeted by vibrant colors, excited crowds, and a sense of adventure in the air. I had heard a lot about it before, but actually being there was so much more thrilling than I had imagined.
The first ride I got on was the Transformers ride, and it quickly became my favorite. The combination of motion simulation and 3D effects was mind-blowing—it felt like I was right in the heart of the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons. Every twist, turn, and explosion felt so real that I was completely immersed. Next up was The Mummy ride, which was a total adrenaline rush with its dark twists, sharp turns, and heart-stopping drops. Every ride at Universal took me to a different world—whether it was ancient Egypt or a futuristic battleground, it was action-packed.
Then came the Treasure Hunt ride, which wasn’t as thrilling for me, but my brother loved it. It’s a jeep ride through a desert-like setting with snakes, waterfalls, and clues to find treasure. He was all about pretending to drive the jeep, and it was fun seeing him so excited. Afterward, we treated ourselves to some ice cream before heading to “Far Far Away,” a part of the park dedicated to Shrek and Puss in Boots. A huge Shrek castle stood in the middle, and we lined up for the 4D Shrek show. It was hilarious! The seats jerked about, and whenever Donkey sneezed, we got sprayed with water—it really added to the fun. My dad and I even tried a small roller coaster, though the line was so long that we joked the wait was longer than the ride itself!
Riding Jurassic Park: The Lost World at Universal Studios Singapore was an absolute thrill! As we glided through the lush, prehistoric jungle, I was immediately immersed in the sights and sounds of roaring dinosaurs. The animatronics were incredibly lifelike, from the fierce T. rex to the gentle herbivores. My heart raced as we approached the epic drop; the anticipation was electrifying! When we plunged down into the water below, I screamed and laughed simultaneously, the rush of adrenaline making it even more exhilarating. It was an unforgettable adventure that truly brought the world of Jurassic Park to life!
The water stunt show was one of the most intense experiences of the day, especially since we chose to sit in the splash zone. From the moment it started, I was hooked. The whole setup felt like we were in a post-apocalyptic world, with high-speed jet ski chases and daring stunts happening right in front of us. Every time a performer crashed into the water or zoomed by on a jet ski, we got splashed, which only added to the excitement. But the best part? An aircraft came crashing into the water with a massive explosion—it was so unexpected and epic! Sitting that close, with water flying everywhere, made me feel like I was part of the action. It was impossible not to be completely caught up in the intensity of it all.
Our day at Universal Studios was one of days where everything just clicks—exciting rides, non-stop fun, and moments that made us laugh and scream. Universal Studios delivered on every promise of adventure, and the memories we made will definitely stick with me for a long time.
The adventure didn’t stop there. The next day, we visited the Merlion, an iconic symbol of Singapore that represents the city’s heritage as a fishing port. This half-lion, half-fish statue spouts water from its mouth and is a beloved landmark for both locals and tourists. The lively atmosphere and crowds matched the excitement of the day before. Standing among other visitors, I admired the impressive skyline of Singapore. Iconic structures like the Marina Bay Sands, with its unique three-tower design and stunning sky park, stood majestically against the clear blue sky. The combination of the Merlion and the modern skyline created a perfect blend of Singapore’s past and present,making the experience truly unforgettable.
That evening, I headed to Gardens by the Bay for the “Garden Rhapsody” light show, despite the heavy rain that started pouring down. To my surprise, the energy remained electric as everyone huddled together, undeterred by the weather. The Supertrees lit up in sync with the music, the garden transformed into a dazzling wonderland, with raindrops reflecting the colorful lights. It felt unreal, like something out of a dream, and the rain just added to the wonder of it all.
The following day was more relaxed, but still packed with beauty. We explored the Cloud Forest and Floral Fantasy at Gardens by the Bay. The Cloud Forest felt like stepping into another world, with its stunning beauty reminding us of nature’s wonders. The misty paths and the towering indoor waterfall were breathtaking. As we walked closer to the waterfall, the cool mist sprayed on our faces—it was refreshing and kind of fun! The entire place was filled with lush greenery, and the height of the waterfall made it feel even more grand, especially as it holds the title of the world’s second tallest indoor waterfall. While we enjoyed this magical environment, it also highlighted the importance of preserving such incredible ecosystems because global warming is raising cloud levels, causing the unique cloud trees to slowly die off.
We indulged in the famous kaya toast before heading over to Bugis Street for some souvenir shopping. The crispy bread, spread with rich coconut jam and butter, was absolutely delicious and gave us the perfect boost for our next adventure.
Once we were energized, we explored the vibrant stalls at Bugis Street. The atmosphere was lively, with vendors selling everything from quirky trinkets to stylish clothes. It was a great place to find keepsakes to remember our trip, and we began hunting for unique souvenirs amid the bustling energy of the area. It wrapped up a day filled with beauty and exciting experiences! The mix of nature and creativity in both the Cloud Forest and Floral Fantasy was the perfect way to end the day on a high note.
My visit to Bird Paradise was such an exciting experience! Walking through the exhibits, I felt like I was entering a world of vibrant colors and lively personalities. The aviaries were beautifully designed, and each bird seemed to have its own charm. The hornbills caught my eye instantly with their unique look, and I couldn’t help but stop and admire them. There was just so much variety, from tiny songbirds flitting around to the bold, exotic parrots.
But the real action started with the shows! The Predators on Wings show was intense—seeing eagles and hawks soaring above me and showing off their hunting skills was just amazing. I had no idea how agile and powerful these birds were until I saw them in person. Then came the Wings of the World show, and it was pure fun! The flamingos, macaws, and other colorful birds were all over the place, and their energy was contagious. At the end, all the birds gathered at the stage right in front of us, and the macaws flew around while the pelicans splashed in a little pool, making it such a cool and unforgettable moment. After the bird safari we took the Mandai shuttle to the Singapore zoo.
The standout moment of the day was during the “Into the Wild” show, where they asked for volunteers from the audience. I volunteered without knowing that I’d actually be holding a snake! When the zookeeper gently placed the snake in my hands, I was surprised by how cool and smooth its scales felt. I wasn’t scared at all; instead, it was surreal to feel such a fascinating creature up close. The snake remained calm, occasionally flicking its tongue, while the zookeeper shared interesting facts about how snakes use their muscles to grip their surroundings.
To wrap up the day, we watched the Splash Safari show, which was a fantastic finale to our visit. A talented sea lion named Pedro stole the spotlight with his impressive tricks. One of the highlights was when the zookeeper tossed a watch into the water, and Pedro quickly dove in to retrieve it, emerging triumphantly with the watch! He also delighted the audience by flapping his fins together as if he were clapping, which brought laughter and applause from the crowd.
Between holding the snake, seeing a cheetah up close, and watching Pedro’s performance, my visit to Bird Paradise and Singapore Zoo was unforgettable, filled with moments of awe and joy that I’ll cherish for years to come.
After my exciting visit to the Singapore Zoo, the next day was packed with adventures that highlighted Singapore’s amazing attractions. We started at the Art Science Museum, where we explored the Future World exhibit. One of the coolest experiences was in a special room where we could draw on sheets of paper featuring sea animals. After we finished, the staff scanned our drawings, bringing them to life on the wall! I drew a jellyfish, and it was so much fun watching it bob up and down. My little brother loved it so much that he ended up creating about six drawings, each one more creative than the last!
Next, we headed to the S.E.A. Aquarium, one of the largest in the world. The highlights here were definitely the massive stingrays gliding gracefully, the colorful jellyfish pulsating in mesmerizing patterns, and the sleek sharks swimming effortlessly in their huge tank. Walking through the underwater tunnel felt like diving into the ocean, surrounded by these incredible marine creatures. The vibrant colors and the sheer diversity of life really showcased the beauty of the ocean.
The day concluded at Siloso Beach, where we enjoyed the sandy shore, the splash of the waves and the mesmerising sunset before heading to the spectacular laser and water show, Wings of Time. While my mom and I went to buy tickets for the show, I was thrilled to run into my old school friend, Avani! It was such a fun coincidence, and we exchanged exited greetings before diving back into the day’s adventures.
As night fell, the show unfolded with dramatic music and stunning visuals, featuring lasers that danced across the water and illuminated the sky. The combination of storytelling, music, and vibrant lights created a magical atmosphere, making it the perfect finale to a wonderful day and our stay in Singapore.
The next day, it was time to head back to Bangalore, but we still had one last stop at Jewel Changi Airport. I was excited to explore the airport itself, which felt more like a destination than just a place to catch a flight. The moment we entered, the Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, immediately caught my attention. It was even more incredible in person, cascading from the ceiling in the middle of the lush Shiseido Forest Valley. As we got closer, the cool mist from the waterfall lightly sprayed our faces, and I couldn’t resist stopping to take photos from every angle. It was like a calm, peaceful escape right inside the airport.
We spent some time walking around the Forest Valley, where the mix of greenery and modern design made me feel like I was still on an adventure. It was the perfect way to wind down after all the excitement of our trip. I remember thinking how this was such a wonderful way to end my trip in Singapore—exploring one last beautiful spot before heading home.
As we boarded the plane I thought of all the exiting memories I had made—from thrilling rides at Universal Studios to the quiet beauty of Gardens by the Bay and I knew I’d carry them with me long after I landed back in Bangalore.
November, 2024
