Niharika Mathema goes on a combo tour to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and shares her experience with you It was right after Dashain that I, with my mum and dad, went for a vacation to Singapore and Malaysia — two of the most amazing places in Asia. Being a student of architecture, it was not just a fun trip but an educational tour as well. These two places had always been on my travel bucket list and I was finally getting the chance to tick them off the list! After spending a few hours in transit at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, we reached Singapore. We headed to a hotel at Kitchner Road. I took a power nap to reenergise for the evening since we had planned to start exploring the city the same day itself. We started with the Gardens by the Bay. With a diverse range of plant species from around the world, there is so much to explore in this garden. Observing exotic species in the conservatories and marveling at towering vertical gardens was a once in a lifetime experience for me. The key attractions were the Flower Dome — the world’s largest glass greenhouse and the Cloud Forest. I was in awe to see the 35 metre man made mountain and waterfall. The next morning we went on a tour into the city. Our first stop was the Singapore Flyer from where we could see the entire city. We then headed to the famous Merlion Park. It is known for its archetypal symbol of Singapore Merlion — an imaginary creature with the head of a lion and body of a fish. The architecture of Singapore displays a range of influences and styles from different places and periods. These range from eclectic styles and hybrid forms of colonial to modern contemporary architecture. Next on our list was Sentosa Island which houses the Underwater World where I closely observed the incredible biodiversity of marine life. I then watched the Dolphin Show and the Wings of Time show. The shows were spectacular and I recommend not missing it when in Singapore. Since it was our last day in Singapore, how could we miss going to the Universal Studios! It was a thrilling world of movie magic. From sci-fi to Jurassic world to fairytale land, there is so much to marvel at in the Universal Studios. Shopping in Singapore was also great fun. Mustafa and City Square Mall offer a variety of choices with a wide price bracket. In the second leg of our tour we flew to Kuala Lumpur (KL) . This city is a melting pot of different races and religion. From beautiful places to explore, food to feast on and shopping to indulge in KL is a paradise. We first went to Sunway Lagoon Park. It’s a theme park comprising of Scream Park, Water Park, Wildlife Park, and Extreme Park. It offers adults and children non-stop fun and entertainment. There is plenty to see and try in the park — perhaps more than you can fit in a day. The next day we went for a city tour exploring the vibrant city of KL. We had so much to see and so much to do on that day since we were flying back to Kathmandu the next day. We went to the Independence Square then to Cocoa Boutique where we tried chocolates of all kinds. Then came the moment I had been waiting for — the Petronas Twin Tower, pride of KL. This unique tower with its own peculiar features alone attracts millions of tourists’. The tower is 452 metres tall and provides an aerial view of the city with sights of other skyscrapers and planned urbanisation of the city. The Petronas Tower Sky Bridge is the world’s highest double decked bridge which symbolises a gateway to the future, linking the towers at levels 41 and 42 giving us an opportunity to view the city from 170 metres above sea level. We then headed to the King’s Palace, the National Monument and lastly the National Mosque. The architecture of KL is a mixture of old colonial influences, Asian traditions, Malay Islamic inspirations, modern and postmodern architecture mix. After the exhausting day it was time for some shopping. Be it international clothing brands, electronic goods or anything else shopping in KL will not disappoint you. Pavilion, Suria KLCC and Farenheit, Sungai Wang are some of the best places to shop in KL. All in all, my trip was a potpourri of experiences to cherish forever. From picturesque landscapes, skyscrapers, serene beaches to colourful ethnic communities, food and festivals, both Singapore and Malaysia have something to offer everyone. A must visit for anyone who wants to experience a different side of Asia. For a holiday full of surprises, breathtaking views, natural wonders and gastronomical delight, Malaysia and Singapore should definitely be on your list. You will be left spoilt for choices on this combo tour.