The Stage Mommy Diaries: Singapore: Lovelier The Second Time Around

Our love affair with the Lion City started on our first stopover in 2011 (which I wrote about here)and we have been back since then. Singapore is a place that you never get tired of. There is so much to do. There is a wide selection of restaurants to choose from, be it Michelin starred or hole in the wall. The shopping is impressive with a wide array of designer brands in the countless shopping malls that abound in the city. Orchard Road (comparable to Oxford street in London and Champs Elysee in Paris) and Marina Bay Sands are your best bets if you are a shopping enthusiast.

Oh, how I love this city. I could go on and on but first, let me count the ways...

The Airport - Singapore's Changi airport has always been, time and again, on the list of the best airports in the world and for 2014, they topped the list of Skytrax World's Best Airport award. This is its second time in a row. There is no surprise there. Anybody who has been to Changi airport will agree. Aside from being spotlessly clean, there is so much to do that you would feel your holiday has started way before you boarded your flight or for those arriving, way before you even come out of immigration. There is so much greenery inside and it is the only airport in the world that houses a butterfly garden.For longer layovers, it has a cinema to while away your time, snooze lounges and of course, free Wifi.

The Airline - Singapore's flag carrier, Singapore Airlines is my favourite airline to fly with when going home for a holiday. Great in flight entertainment. The food and the service are flawless and I could not recommend it enough.

The food - If you love your food (who doesn't) then Singapore for you is paradise. You are spoiled for choice from street vendors to fine dining. Considered as the food capital of Asia, Singapore's diverse cuisine caters very well to it's equally diverse residents and tourists. Joel Robuchon has already set up shop and so has Jaime Oliver and some of America's celebrated chefs. But if you want a taste of the real Singapore, never leave without trying their famous signature dishes, Chili Crab and the Hainanese Chicken. One Michelin Star Din Tai Fung is also worth a visit for their famous Xiao Long Bao.

The shopping - Whether you want to hit the shops for a bargain or you want to score some of the most coveted designer pieces, Singapore is the right place for you. With international brands sprouting like mushrooms, the shopping scene is not at all behind. Orchard Road is an endless stretch of shops and shopping malls alike. Here you can find the likes of Abercrombie and Fitch, H&M, DKNY. If you want more upscale shopping, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands will do just the trick where the only floating Louis Vuitton shop in the world is located.

The City - Not only is Singapore great for food and shopping enthusiasts, it is also great for families. This city is very family friendly with a whole load of family activities and places to visit on offer. For movie buffs, there is Universal Studios where not only the kids will enjoy but also for the kids at heart. If your children love nature there is the Botanic Gardens, The Jurong Bird Park, Underwater World and of course, the Singapore Zoo.Singapore is also not short of museums with their National Museum, The Science Center Museum, The Maritime Experiential Museum and the Mint Museum of Toys to name a few. There is also the Big Splash water park for those who wants to get wet and wild. Lastly, the not to be missed, the spectacular Light and Water show at the Marina Bay Sands. "An amazing convergence of light, music and sound and giant water screens" as described by its website is a 10 minute long show involving light and water displays to the rhythm of a song. There are two shows at 8 pm and 10 pm so make sure to catch one or both.