An island-state, about half the size of Los Angeles, and just 88 miles from the equator. Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819, joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later to become independent. The Lion City subsequently became a global financial centre with a tropical climate that hosts a wide variety of people to put my multicultural hometown of London to shame.
*Gasp*
2017 Singapore is far from the sterile stereotype from yesteryear and has grown to become known as one of the best places to live in Asia for expats. Despite its high cost of living in comparison to its neighbours, and even to the rest of the world. Singapore is definitely somewhere I would enjoy living and working from.
Here’s my experience, favourite things to do and a quick guide to the city as a travelling entrepreneur in collaboration with my friends at 5footway.inn Project Boat Quay.
5footway.inn Project Boat Quay
A vessel for cultural and social exploration in the heart of Singapore. With comfortable communal spaces to work from and socialise in.
Wi-Fi
Fast, free, and reliable Wi-Fi available throughout all areas of the hostel.
What’s Nearby
In the historical quay, above a lively street of bars and restaurants which can by of no surprise be a little noisy in the evenings. Project Boat Quay is situated in the heart of Singapore just upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River.
A short, 4 mins walk to Clarke Quay MRT
A half an hour stroll to Marina Bay Sands, or an 8 minute taxi and just under 20 minutes by bus. Add on another 5 minutes for Gardens by the Bay.
12 mins walk to 24-hour Telok Ayer Market (YUM)
Reception
You will find a selection of maps, leaflets and guides that are available for free at the reception including access to three iMacs. I quizzed the 24-hour front desk multiple times for recommendations throughout my stay and they were extremely helpful. A generous check out at twelve o’clock, giving you plenty of time to sleep-in or relax before rushing off again!
Bonus points for free use of iMacs in the reception area!
Workspace
Project Boat Quay has been built for the social traveller with an abundance of communal areas. A positive side effect of this has made the hostel fit for the working traveller too! There are plenty of places to tick off your to-dos in the hostel with a variety of rooms, ambient lighting, comfortable chairs, accessible power sockets and even an endless supply of free coffee! I personally enjoyed catching up on my emails on the terrace overlooking the Singapore River.
Breakfast
Enjoy a complimentary breakfast on the communal terrace with an amazing view of the Singapore River. Available from 7:30am until 10am.
Things to Do in Singapore for a Travelling Entrepreneur
Singapore offers an array of entertainment, culture, dining and shopping! Here’s a quick look at my 8 favourite things to do in Singapore during my stay with 5footway.inn:
1. Eating at a 24-hour hawker centre
Food is one of the most talked about aspects of Singapore. With influences from neighbouring Malaysia, China, and India. Be sure to visit your local hawker centre such as the famous and historic, Telok Ayer Market.
Yum! I had to eat my first Laksa in Singapore.
2. Wandering Haji Lane in Kampong Glam
Retro vibes with stylish, middle-eastern cafes and quirky shops.
3. Visiting the Sultan Mosque
An iconic place of worship, offering a glimpse into Singapore’s Muslim community. You can go inside the mosque, just remember to wear respectful clothing. But don’t worry too much, the friendly staff will happily provide you with a robe.
4. Snacks, sights, and temples in Little India
Singapore proudly showing off its diversity with another one of its cultural hubs. If you are a fan of Indian food, come here to eat delicious and different types of food from all regions of India.
5. Supertree Grove (Gardens by the Bay)
The Supertree Grove (those big man-made trees I am looking at) are Singapore’s futuristic example to the world that we can welcome wildlife back into our cities. I’ve been desperate to visit since I saw the revolutionary botanical garden in BBC’s Planet Earth II.
Over 162,900 plants comprising more than 200 species and varieties of plants have been planted on the 18 Supertrees. Some are as tall as 3 double-decker buses!
6. Cloud Forest (Gardens by the Bay)
A trip to Gardens by the Bay isn’t complete without going inside the Cloud Forest. It was beautiful and informative, providing education on climate change and insights into a future where humans can coexist with nature. Open daily from 9:00am to 9:00pm.
7. Supertree Grove Light Show (Gardens by the Bay)
Upon leaving Gardens by the Bay, watch the romantic light show at 7:45pm. Although watch out for large crowds gathering with the same idea.
8. The “Wonder Full” Light and Water Show
If you don’t spend too long with the Supertrees, you can catch this spectacular show as you return to the city centre at 8pm. Just outside the main exit of the Marina Bay Sands shopping mall.
The friendly team at Project Boat Quay opened my eyes to a unique side of Asia I hadn’t quite seen before. A world where a nature lives seamlessly with a bustling business epicentre, robust Wi-Fi, convenient workplaces, and lots of fun things to do. Above all, I appreciated their forward-thinking outlook on sustainability. In addition, the experience was refreshing and effortless in comparison to other Southeast Asian countries. A city fit for a travelling entrepreneur like myself.
For loyal readers of my blog, you will have read plenty of posts about how to make money while you travel and the business of blogging. However, unlike other travel blogs, I don’t often talk about where I actually live and work while I do this. Through this new series, my mission is to help you develop a better understanding of the nomadic lifestyle so that you can envision doing it for yourself.
