Singapore Must-Do’s

Singapore Night Safari
Through the use of special lighting techniques, the highly lauded open-concept night zoo allows you to observe what 900 nocturnal animals get up to after dusk, in naturalistic habitats – and, seemingly, not behind barriers. The 45-minute narrated tram ride is the best way to see the animals – which include tigers, lions, giraffes and rhinos – from the safety of your seat. After the trip, brave the dark walking trails to get a closer look at smaller animals such as fl ying squirrels and dangling bats. 80 Mandai Lake Rd. (+65 6269 3411 www.nightsafari.com.sg).

Singapore River Cruise
See the city from the water on a no-frills 30-minute journey aboard a bumboat.You can buy tickets and board or alight at any of the nine jetties along the Singapore River, including the Esplanade, the Fullerton, Riverside Point, Boat Quay and Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Boats run daily (9.30am–10.30pm); it’s quite a sight at night when the skyscrapers are lit up. The bizarrely accented recorded commentary is uniquely irritating. (+65 6336 6111/19 www.rivercruise.com.sg).

Getting a fish pedicure at Underwater World
Don’t inflict your stinky feet on some poor pedicurist. Instead, let the fish take care of them. A shoal of industrious little Turkish fi sh wait in a pool to nibble away dead skin and leave your toes fresh and exfoliated. Fish reflexology $35 for 20 minutes in the pool and 20 minutes foot reflexology. Underwater World, 80 Siloso Rd, Sentosa. (www.underwaterworld.com.sg).

Walking over the Helix Bridge
The weird, DNA-like, wiggly steel pedestrian bridge at Marina Bay supports some 16,000 people at a time and stretches 280 metres across the water. Marina Bay. (www.ura.gov.sg).

Boarding the Swarovski Cable Car
Ride the brand new seven-star Swarovski Crystal Jewel Cable Car Ride from Mount Faber to Sentosa. (www.mountfaber.com.sg).

Taking a bumboat ride and Cookery Magic’s Kampong class on Pulau Ubin
All cooking lessons are held in a colonial black-and-white home by Ruqxana, resident chef. Buy ingredients from the local wet market and learn to make chapati and nonya laksa from scratch. Classes from $65 to $85. 58 Jalan Tembusu. (+65 6348 9667 www.cookerymagic.com).  

Getting a tarot card reading by a parrot in Little India
Walk around Tekka Market in Little India, and more likely than not you’ll come across a weathered Indian woman with her faithful parrot, Money Money, both ready to tell the fortune of any passerby, for $5 per reading. Near the Tekka Market steps, Serangoon Rd.

Playing musical chairs with Tetsuya
Tetsuya Wakuda’s fi rst Singapore restaurant is multi-faceted dining at its quirkiest. Move from room to room as you work your way down the degustation menu. Waku Ghin, 10 Bayfront Ave #L2–02, Casino Lvl 2, Marina Bay Sands. (+65 6688 8507).