17 December 2025

As my plane touched down at Singapore Changi Airport, the first rays of dawn painted the tarmac in gold, and a rush of excitement coursed through me. I had long imagined Singapore’s glittering skyline and vibrant traditions, but now I was stepping into that vision. What truly made my heart leap was the thought of seeing my sister Margaret again, just arrived from Amsterdam. We chose the iconic Jewel waterfall as our meeting point, celebrated as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. With my suitcases piled high, the thrill of adventure finally ignited. I followed the signs outside, where the Jewel glimmered across the bustling street. A soft drizzle kissed my cheeks, and the thick, humid air instantly transported me to steamy mornings back in Durban.

Inside the Jewel, the closed shops seemed to doze, and my footsteps rang out in the cavernous, empty halls. The hush felt magical, as if the entire place belonged to me alone. Lured by the promise of the waterfall, I drifted along until a sudden urge pulled me into a lift, soaring upward. As the doors parted, I caught sight of a familiar figure with a trolley. She turned, and in an instant, we shouted each other’s names—Margreet!

The waterfall waited in silence, ready for its grand morning debut. Still buzzing from our reunion, we wandered the empty halls in pursuit of coffee, but every café slumbered on. Towering green walls surrounded us, but all we wanted was a quiet spot to relax. After circling the building countless times, Margreet, ever the problem-solver with her new iPhone, called us a taxi. She had already arranged our stay at The Clan, so I gladly let her steer our adventure.

A message flashed on her screen, and as she looked back, our taxi glided to the curb. The driver, beaming, swept our suitcases into the trunk. We left our trolleys behind and melted into the cab’s cool comfort. Outside, the city revealed itself—sleek towers rising and bursts of green at every corner. My sister’s planning was impeccable, and I felt certain we were bound for something extraordinary.

With hours to go before check-in, we put our bags next to the rooftop pool and changed into swimsuits in the airy bathrooms. The view from above was amazing, with tall buildings all around us. We took lots of photos. Relaxing by the pool felt like a treat, but the heat soon made me want to jump in the water to cool off. Before 3, we got to our room on the 16th floor, with wide views in every direction. With hardly any space for clothes, we quickly got used to living out of our suitcases. The bathroom had a fancy bidet, which was a fun and memorable detail!

We changed into lighter clothes, ready to explore and find a late lunch and a cappuccino. Locals showed us the way to Chinatown, just a short walk away. Soon, we found a mall with an interesting Chinese vegan restaurant. We had an early vegan dinner before walking back to the hotel, where we looked around the reception and lounge, and someone made a special tea just for us. All in all, a great first day in Singapore. My Facebook post with more photos

Nadine May

2nd day 18 Dec in Singapore