A Layover in Singapore: Streets, Snacks, and a walk Before Home
After four long years without setting foot in Germany, 2023 was finally the year to go back. I had been waiting for this trip, mainly to see friends and family. But I’m not the kind of traveler who books a straight 12-hour haul if there’s another way. I like layovers. A short break in a new city, two manageable flights instead of one long stretch in economy. That’s my idea of smart travel.
This time, the layover wasn’t in Doha or Qatar. I found a flight with an 6-hour daytime stop in Singapore. And with that, the plan was set.
Touchdown in Singapore: Efficient, Clean, Classic
Arriving in Singapore was exactly what you’d expect. Flawlessly smooth. Changi Airport is less of an airport and more of a luxury theme park for tired travelers. And public transport? Spotless and easy. Within no time, I was in the city, walking exactly the route I had pre-mapped on Google. (Yes, true to my German nature, I had everything planned down to the steps and screenshots.)
Little India: Spices, Temples, and Mango Lassi
My first stop was Tekka Centre, specifically a vegetarian Indian restaurant next door. I had a warm, flavorful plate of different curries and, of course, a cold mango lassi. Refreshing, sweet, and exactly what I needed to kick off my micro-adventure.
The food was great, but didn’t quite fill me up, so I wandered through Little India for more. The streets buzzed with life, colorful houses, busy food stalls, the scent of spices in the air. I passed the beautifully intricate Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, paused for a few moments to admire the details, then continued south.
Through the City: From Color to Concrete
I made my way from Little India down Beach Road, letting the city gradually change around me. The older, character-filled neighborhoods gave way to modern towers and wide avenues. Eventually, I reached Marina Bay just as dusk set in.
The view was dramatic, lights flickering on across the skyline, the reflections dancing on the water. I stepped inside Marina Bay Sands for a moment, curious… and quickly reminded myself that shopping malls just aren’t my thing. Instead, I walked along Marina Boulevard and into the park, taking in the breeze, the city lights, the feeling of being somewhere completely different, even if only for a few hours.
Back to the Airport, Back Toward Home
I stayed by the water until time started pressing. Then, once again guided by Singapore’s clean, efficient public transport, I made my way back to the airport. No stress, no rush, just a smooth ride back to Changi.
That layover wasn’t long, but it was everything I like about travel: good food, new streets, quiet moments. And as my plane lifted off toward Germany, I felt lighter, not just because I was finally heading home, but because I had made one more small memory in a city that never fails to impress.
