JUST BACK FROM SINGAPORE + PHUKET...

I can’t even begin to describe how much we ate. We are still full but it was beautiful. Singapore is arguably one of the top food spots in the world and we went on a storybook food tour where we sampled 16 dishes that were out of control. We ate our way through Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam over four delicious hours that redefined what I thought street food could be. We’re talking Malaysian Laksa, deep fried spring rolls, perfectly spiced satay sticks, homemade cured meats, decadent Turkish kunafeh with marshmallowy-vanilla ice cream on the side. We even made our way to Hawker Chan for the soya sauce chicken rice that became the first hawker stall in history to earn a Michelin star, and I need you to understand that the line between that fact and the actual taste of that dish in your mouth is something no travel article has ever properly conveyed. Little India was a world until itself where we ate samosas straight out of the fryer, freshly squeezed limeade and the thinnest crispiest papadam. And, of course, nearly every hotel breakfast we had in both locations was a mix of morning, afternoon, and evening foods all blended into one extraordinary display. Overindulgent, delicious and surprisingly affordable.

These were some of the most visually extraordinary trips I have ever taken. Phuket delivers the kind of light that makes every amateur photographer look talented, golden hour when the sky turns colors that have no names, longtail boats bobbing in water so turquoise it looks filtered even when it absolutely is not, and the hidden temples tucked into the jungle hills. Then Singapore arrives like a different universe entirely, all vertical gardens and light installations and rooftop infinity pools reflecting a dramatically modern skyline. Gardens by the Bay after dark is genuinely one of the most surreal places I have ever stood with my daughter, the Supertrees illuminated against the night sky while the sound system plays and the whole city seems to hold its breath. Painted streets, colorful shuttered doors, hawker centers where every dish is a color story waiting to happen. Your daughters likely have their eyes on social feeds and this content just WOWS, so much that you’ll run out of storage.

SPIRITUALITY: Both places are centers and blends of multiple faiths and what is perhaps most intriguing is to see how peacefully they all coexist from Hindu places of worship to Taoist temples, churches and small prayer huts on the side of the road, there is a harmony that exists that you don’t find in a lot of places. And, when you decide to take it further and tour a place of worship that you’re not familiar with and you really listen to your guide, you really open up a new understanding of a different faith and it’s quite magical.

NEW SKILLS: These are places that beckon you to learn something new whether it’s a game of mah jongg, folding a samosa, mixing a spicy base for a green curry or spying on monkeys who’ve inhabited an island, there are beautiful opportunities everywhere to learn, engage, conversate and open your mind.

RESPECT: Especially in Singapore, there are a lot of rules. You don’t jaywalk. You wear your seatbelt at all times. You do not litter. You cover your mouth when you sneeze. Yes, things you might think are obvious but really are not always obvious around the world. But here, people appreciate what they have, they respect guidelines and laws and everything just FUNCTIONS. Very well at that.

WHAT A SMILE CAN DO: What happens when you’re greeted with a smile? You instantly feel better. You may be disarmed, you may be from a chaotic place and your first thought might be “why the heck are they smiling at me? “ which is normal too but once you start to notice that nearly everyone you encounter has a smile for you, it makes you want to smile more too and honestly to take that back with you and spread it is one of the most powerful things you can hope to get from a trip.

You’ve got to be careful anywhere you go in the world. That’s just a universal truth and you really always have to have your guard up, your wits about you and full trust in your gut. But, when you are walking around in Singapore and you take note of things your guide says casually about people being able to walk around nearly anywhere, any time of the day or night not having to worry, or when you walk into a completely foreign surrounding and immediately feel welcome and embraced, you are able to just relax a little bit more than you normally would on holiday and for us girls, it was a wonderful feeling.

As always, reach out and we’ll create your dream journey for you, ANYWHERE in teh world you want to go: info@explorateurjourneys.com