Bernardo was all set to document our adventure right from the airport in Singapore. Unfortunately, that plan fell apart before we even left the terminal. He lost his voice due to the aircon on the plane. Great start! Because of that, we were offline for the first few days. But I’d love to tell you what we’ve been up to :)
Our very first observation, while cycling from the airport to our first stay: sportiness. Everywhere we looked, people were on the move. Runners, cyclists, rowers, tai-chi practitioners, and the most intriguing group: the clappers. We spotted several people walking energetically while clapping their hands—or even slapping their thighs. And not just a casual clap, but clapping like there’s no tomorrow—with intense focus. I did a quick search and found out that it comes from traditional Chinese medicine, where clapping is believed to stimulate circulation, activate acupressure points, and boost energy flow. Who knew that applauding yourself could be a workout? We sure didn’t. But maybe we should start practicing :) It fits perfectly into the image of a city that never stands still.
After getting our first feel of the city—well, actually only my first; Bernardo’s fourth, but he pretended to be just as excited—we were welcomed into the apartment of Andrea and Phill. Together with their two teenage daughters, they live in a beautiful apartment on the edge of the city center. When we arrived, the table was set, and our beds were made. Their youngest daughter had even given up her room for us, and Andrea had thoughtfully placed books about cycling adventures on the bedside table. As if that wasn’t enough, their housekeeper, Susana, prepared the most tender Rendang we had ever tasted. It made us feel completely at home.
The days we spent with the family gave us insight into life in ‘The Lion City’, and what it’s like for them to live there. As expats, they enjoy a good life, but they also shared the other side of this prestigious destination. During the TreeTop Walk, they explained that while Singapore’s flora may appear rich and tropical, it is actually carefully maintained. Trees and plants are strategically placed and replaced, ensuring that something is always in bloom. Even the ‘wild’ parks are carefully designed, with walking trails that never become overgrown.
Daily life in Singapore is just as regulated as its nature, with strict laws and some unique rules. For example, chewing gum is completely banned and spitting on the street can result in serious fines. Even forgetting to flush a public toilet can lead to a significant penalty (there are even inspectors who check if you flush properly!). All these regulations are in place to maintain clean public spaces.
Andrea and Phill also told us about the COE (Certificate of Entitlement), a permit that can cost up to $150,000 just to own a car. This means that only those who can afford it are able to drive, helping to keep the number of vehicles in the city ‘low’—not that you’d notice; traffic is still crazy. But once again, this is an example of how everything in the country is carefully regulated to keep things running smoothly. Because of this regulation, Andrea and Phill don’t have a car—but with Singapore’s efficient and affordable public transport, they hardly need one. Well, except maybe on IKEA days.
After spending three comfortable and insightful days with Andrea, Phill and the kids, we moved on to our next stay. This time, we were welcomed by ‘Auntie’—as we were invited to call the Scottish owner of the house. Exhausted and drenched from the rain, we arrived—unfortunately, late. We quickly learned that being late doesn’t quite fit with the norms of this culture. Nevertheless, we were well taken care of. We enjoyed freshly baked bread and homemade yogurt at breakfast, Auntie not only washed but also ironed our laundry and she gave us detailed recommendations for the area. Once again, we felt very welcomed.
Those were comfortable days, giving us plenty of time to settle in, get used to the bikes and make the final preparations for our adventure. We had time to tackle our growing to-do list. When we arrived, that list had just one bullet point, but somehow, it kept getting longer. My bank card got swallowed by an ATM, Bernardo forgot to bring a long-sleeve shirt (a must in this harsh sun), I realised that I had only packed half of my underwear and my phone battery decided to give up on me. Small hiccups, but things that needed to be sorted out. These days gave us all the time to take care of them before hitting the road.
In between these little tasks, something peculiar kept happening—people wanted photos with our bikes. A few times, we were included, but most of the time, the bikes were the real divas—apparently more photogenic than us. At one point, we considered turning it into a business. Honestly, I can’t blame them—our bikes are pretty cool.
Of course, I can’t wrap this up without talking about the food. We fully indulged in the Asian cuisine, conquering every food court in town. The final judgment: all approved! Our favorites? Roti paratha with dal and Susana’s amazing rendang (though unfortunately, you won’t find that one in a food court!).
With our guide Bernardo—on his fourth visit to Singapore and still not tired of it—we explored every corner of the country. After days of great food, new insights, and warm hospitality, we can confidently say: Singapore is worth a visit!
The only advice we’d give you: bring some patience. At crossings, we had enough time to plan our next meal, analyse the traffic flow, rethink our life choices and still wait another minute before the light finally turned green. But well, even that was an experience we won’t forget.
It was good!
A huge thank you to Andrea, Phill & Auntie. You made our stay just great.
Food in Singapore is on a whole different level🤤 Malaysia’s is amazing too though! Streetside roti always 10/10😁👌
You guys are so inspiring. Be safe on the road. Um forte abraço cheio de força para cada um de vocês <3