The Red Dot Design Museum

Inspiration comes in many packages and perhaps the most interesting package of them all is the Singapore Red Dot Design Museum. Located just a short walk from away Tanjong Pagar train station, the museum is one of the only two Red Dot museums in the world and is an experience not to be missed.

The exhibitors inside the museum are all winners of the prestigious Red Dot Design Award and the collection of innovative ideas under one roof truly represents the future of design. Past winners of ‘Design Team of the Year' include Apple, LG, Adidas, Tupperware and Audi.

A trip to the museum is a wonderful family activity. As well as the main building there is an entire community of intricate designers woven into a Design Journey in the area surrounding the museum. There are full day and half day variations that take you through Candy Design, Street Packaging Design, Product Design, Communication Design, Designing the Future and Design for the Departed just to name a few.

After soaking up the inspiration of the world's greatest designers, there is a chance to go a bit design MAAD yourself! MAAD is an ambient collection of hands on workshops, classes, exhibitions, refreshments, crafts, stalls and live music, held only one Friday night every month. If your trip coincides with one of these events then it's a unique opportunity to be a part of and not to be missed. It's a chance to treat yourself to a creative workshop or to make some wonderful souvenirs for your loved ones back home. You may discover talents you did not know you had.

The gift shop is a great way to take a little piece of the museum home with you to remember your experience by. From books, to stationery to bags to gadgets to art and everything in between, the Gift Shop has something for everyone and are all little pieces of magic from leading designers. The museum publishes two annual books; ‘Doing' and ‘Living' which follow the current and future trends of product design, and are available to purchase at the gift shop or on online.

This is an extremely inspiring experience and could ignite some creations of your own. Maybe you will be a part of the future of design at the Red Dot Design Museum.

Pulau Ubin - Simpler Times

It's not very often that we get to go back in time and visit a community which enjoys living with minimal essentials and in simpler conditions. The small island is an under 10 minute boat ride away from the mainland of Singapore and offers a complete getaway from the fast paced city life.

It's an ideal experience for those who are looking to try something different. On a spiritual note, it's a great opportunity to step out of the hectic everyday routines and see life from a slower, humbler point of view. Hiring a bike is the recommended way to see the island but the hiker in you is always welcome to stretch their legs and opt for a stroll instead.

As an alternative to a day trip, you may want to consider staying for an entire weekend, or even a week, to really take in the tranquility of the un-urbanized island. Renting a beach villa on the Celestial Resort is a wonderful way to spend your days lazing on the shore, exploring rare plant and wildlife or even hiring a kayak and going on your own adventure.

It's ideal for anyone seeking a slower, leisurely paced experience. The main Island of Singapore is bustling with lots to do and lots to see and this is the perfect counterpoint to that. It could also be great for a family outing, with biking and sights being the main attraction.

A photographer would find much inspiration here and has the opportunity to capture photographs of a nature not readily available anywhere else in the world. It's a genuine glimpse into the 1960s in terms of how people live and offers much scenic composition. The occupied kampong houses are still in tact and make wonderful subjects for photographs. Please be considerate and ask permission before you photograph any of the locals.

The island is undergoing a progressive redevelopment and the few local inhabitants that remain are mostly fishermen and farmers. It is slowly but surely becoming a nature park and those fortunate enough to visit it should relish in its humble treasures while they are still available to view.

Tips:

Bring refreshments with you.

The mosquitos are always hungry so make sure you bring a good repellent with you.

You'll be in the sun all day so bring a hat and sunscreen.

Sudden showers are also quite common so dress in clothes that you don't mind getting wet or muddy.

The Perfect Gateway

There is a reason why Changi has been awarded the title of ‘Best Airport in the World'. The facilities and services mirror those of a luxury resort and the game of waiting is turned into a pleasurable experience.

The Basics; The Sky trains will get you around the three terminal airport and there is usually an under 5 minute wait to make the short journey between terminals. The trains operate between 5:00am and 2:30am and a shuttle bus substitutes when the trains are not in operation.

There is free Wi-Fi for all the internet enthusiasts and business travellers looking to continue their work between flights. You can use your own equipment or use one of the many internet stations dotted throughout the lounges.

With over 300 retail stores, last minute gifts, holiday essentials, tax free indulgences and designer labels are all under one roof waiting to be explored (and purchased).

The powder rooms come with a seating area and ‘dressing' tables where you can freshen up and get ready for the next phase of your vacation. If you would like to take freshening up a step further, there are hair and beauty services where you can try out a new look or enjoy any of your favourite beauty treatments.

There are also baby care rooms where mothers can tend to the needs of their young children in peace and privacy. Equipped with the usual baby changing facilities and hot water dispensers.

There is also a smoking area for those who require it.

The Experiences; If you are lucky enough to have a 5 hour overlay between flights then you have the option of enjoying a complimentary two hour tour around Singapore. Depending on the time of your transit you can take a Heritage tour (between 9am - 6pm) or a City Lights Tour (between 6:30pm - 8:30pm). What a perfect way to stop and say hello to the city as you're passing through.

The airport gardens provide the means to stretch your legs before or after a flight. There are 5 differently themed gardens to be explored; Cactus, Sunflower, Orchid, Fern and Butterfly and a couple of Koi ponds for your browsing.

The fitness enthusiast will be relieved to discover the health and gym suite and swimming pool available to use. After a gruelling workout, a spa visit or massage might just be the cherry on top before a relaxing flight out of Singapore.

Because the terminals are available to both arrivals and departures Changi is the ideal start or end to your vacation and is the perfect gateway to Singapore.

An Oasis of Calm in a Bustling City

The exquisite decor of natural beauty provides the ideal place to relax, find inspiration, escape from the fast paced city life and take a quiet moment for yourself. There is no place more exquisite or more inspirational than Gardens by the Bay.

Sitting majestically over 100 hectares, the gardens resemble a futuristic tropical paradise situated in the heart of urban sophistication. The expertly crafted design most certainly represents the future as the gardens prioritise environmental sustainability and seek opportunities to recycle wherever possible. Beauty and brains. Strategies are constantly being renewed out of consideration for the environment.

The main attractions of the gardens include:

Supertrees - The 16 storey high constructional masterpieces are dotted throughout the park and there is a Supertree Grove where 12 stand tall and proud together. What's interesting about these trees is that aside from being visually astounding they are fully functional; some have photovoltaic cells to harvest solar energy and others serve as a discreet ‘exhaust' system for the cooling conservatories. The plant life growing vertically on the trees have been carefully selected for easy to maintain and aesthetically pleasing reasons.

Cloud Forest - The beautiful dome houses a spectacular 35m man-made mountain with heavily foliaged walls and the world's tallest indoor waterfall. Transportation to the top of the mountain is by lift and two walkways will allow for a leisurely walk back down again.

Dragonfly and Kingfisher lakes; Like the Supertrees, the lakes are not only a thing of beauty but are rich with plant and aquatic life which have been carefully brought together to act as an eco-filter for the water. The boardwalk is an ideal spot to lap up the views of the city.

Dining: Walking around and taking in much of the scenery can build up an appetite, so any of the 8+ eateries will reward you with some much needed rest and food. The two main fine-dining restaurants are Pollen and The Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant, which are run by world-renowned chefs and boast their own signature dishes. There are various cafes and bars dotted throughout the Gardens to offer you refreshments as you peruse the sights. Please bear in mind that certain sights have a strict no food or drink policy. Be vigilant for signs indicating designated areas.

Gardens by the Bay is accessible by private and public transport. The closest station is Bayfront (MRT) and there are a variety of car parks close by.