Slingin' Through Singapore: Sky Buckets, Satay, and a Sick Day Surprise

Singapore: that tiny red dot on the map that packs a megacity's punch. With a population of over 5 million squeezed onto an island smaller than Los Angeles, this city-state somehow manages to be squeaky clean, impossibly efficient, and so futuristic you half expect to see flying cars zipping by the Marina Bay Sands. It's also hot. Like, "walking-through-soup" hot.

We rolled into port with sweaty enthusiasm and the promise of a night excursion ahead, so we decided to explore on our own during the day. As our ship pulled in, we spotted a line of sky buckets gliding above the skyline — like floating gondolas with a city view. Obviously, we had to try it. The Singapore Cable Car departs right from HarbourFront Centre (next to the cruise terminal), and our Hello Kitty-adorned capsule felt like an airborne gift shop.

The tram whisked us over to Sentosa Island, Singapore’s adult Disneyland. This man-made island — built on reclaimed land, because Singapore wastes nothing, not even sea — is home to Universal Studios, beach bars, Madame Tussauds, and more tourist traps than you can shake a selfie stick at. We wandered the tourist walkway with coconut water in hand, feasted on chicken rice (yes, it lives up to the hype), and got our steps in like we were training for the Amazing Race.

When the humidity finally tapped us out, we hopped back on the tram and glided to Mount Faber, a hilltop park with jaw-dropping views of the city’s urban jungle. From up there, Singapore’s famous density hit us — buildings on buildings on buildings. We grabbed a snack, browsed the souvenir shops (Mike may now own three questionable magnets), and headed back down, feeling ready to conquer the city.

Next stop: the iconic Raffles Hotel, where colonial charm meets cocktail tourism. We tried to slip into the Long Bar — birthplace of the Singapore Sling — but the crowd was ten deep and sweating gin. So we took the civilized route and ordered the fruit-punchy concoction at the outdoor patio bar alongside some gloriously grilled chicken satay. It was refreshing, deceptively strong, and honestly, way too easy to drink.

After a power nap and a ship refresh, we boarded our evening hop-on-hop-off tour to Lau Pa Sat, Singapore’s most famous food court near Chinatown. By day, it’s business lunch central. By night, the streets fill with tables, chairs, and the heavenly scent of satay smoke. We watched vendors grill skewers like culinary flamethrowers and dove headfirst into a street feast.

Inside the ornate colonial structure of Lau Pa Sat, we found everything from sushi to samosas, but we went full Indian: naan the size of a throw pillow, rich butter chicken, and crunchy pakoras.

Now, let's talk Michelin stars. Singapore is one of the few places on earth where you can get a Michelin-starred meal for under five bucks. Yes, really. The legendary Hawker Chan, known for his soy sauce chicken rice, was awarded a Michelin star in 2016 — and his stall used to draw hour-long lines for a plate that cost less than a Starbucks latte. Other Michelin-rated favorites include Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle and Liao Fan Hawker Stall, all proving that fine dining doesn’t need to come with a white tablecloth. While we didn't have the stomach space (or stamina) to sample them all, just knowing they were there elevated the already electric food court buzz to something kind of magical.

The final stop of the night was pure magic: Gardens by the Bay. Singapore’s biodome park is part sci-fi, part rainforest, and home to the famous 18 Super Trees — towering, tree-shaped vertical gardens that glow with light and music at night. Our guide, armed with a light stick he called the “Beacon of Hope,” recruited Mike as his deputy — now known as the Rear Admiral of Flashlights. Big responsibility. We found a prime viewing spot at the base of the tallest tree and laid down to enjoy the show. Lights danced to classical music in a surreal symphony of color and sound. It was like being inside a Pixar movie.

We went to bed exhausted, dazzled, and sweaty. But oh, what a day.

Day Two... well... things took a turn.

Jenny woke up feeling like she’d been hit by a sambal truck. We blamed dehydration. Then stomach cramps. Then the sudden appearance of "enhanced sanitation" signs around the ship clued us in: Norovirus. Cruise ship classic. Despite being a militant hand-washer and Public Surface Avoidance Champion, she got it. The next five days were a blur of nausea, crackers, and Mike playing Florence Nightingale without the bonnet. (Love you, Mike.)

We missed day two in Singapore. And three ports in Vietnam. Our only view of the country came from the balcony — Vietnam: beautiful, distant, and viewed while wrapped in a blanket.

Mike somehow dodged the bug (go immune system!) and became the ultimate caregiver. After five long days — and two days of quarantine thanks to our honesty with the ship’s medical team — we emerged from our floating sick bay like sun-deprived mole people.

Just in time for Cambodia!

But more on that next time…

Until then — keep your hands washed, your satay grilled, and your Singapore Slings ice cold. ✌️🍹🌴