Why did my travel agent never mention the fact without a doubt it was going to rain in Singapore. Maybe then we would have decided to stay in Dubai longer or have more than one day to rest before going back to work.
It turns out there is no clear-cut wet or dry season and rain is experienced every single month, usually in the afternoons and early evenings. However, there are two main monsoon seasons in Singapore: the Northeast Monsoon Season which runs from December-March) and the Southwest Monsoon Season which runs from June-September. The latter is the one we experienced and it was not fun.
My old school friend recommended our hotel and it was a good spot. It was a bit older but far cheaper than the newer and more ritzy hotels. We enjoyed being in another hotel after so many hostels. As it pretty much continually rained while we were in Singapore we stayed in our hotel a lot of the time. Ordering room service was a treat and it was nice to just hang out in the room together.
The Southwest Monsoon Season meant there were showers and thunderstorm activity between predawn to midday. However, thunderstorms usually only lasted for less than 30 minutes. ‘Sumatra squalls’ are common during this period. These are a line of thunderstorms that develop at night over Sumatra, move to the west coast of Peninsula of Malaysia and hit Singapore during the early morning hours.
Despite the rain we took a sight seeing bus tour and briefly we were able to sit in the open deck area of the bus and enjoy Singapore. However, this was short lived when a crazy thunderstorm passed overhead and sent all is tourists running for cover downstairs. All of a sudden two levels of tourists were piled into the underneath section. Needless to say Lion and I waited the storm out on the bus and got off to explore once the storm had passed.
We discovered Singapore has a rich ethnic, cultural and historical heritage through the sights and sounds of the bustling ethnic enclaves, and the streets of China Town, Kampong Glam and Little India, where religious monuments nestle amidst quaint shophouses. Contrasting with the modern shopping malls and skyscrapers.
We eventually jumped off the tour for good near Marina Bay Sands and went to the shops below it to explore as it was raining, yet again. And unfortunately the rain turned into a crazy electrical storm and we were unable check out the iconic infinity pool at the top of the building.
Once again the sun briefly came out so we hightailed it to Singapore’s official committee-designed symbol the Merlion, half-lion, half-fish, which stares purposefully out at tourists snapping away from the observation deck just opposite. We joined them and were treated to a stunning view of the Central Business District’s skyscrapers.
After taking more selfies than probably necessary we went to get a cab home and finally snagged one at a hotel. We got home and decided we had had enough of sightseeing. It was almost two months of touring 13 places. And it was the best experience but we were tired and wanted our own home and own bed. And Lion had an infected toe from Dubai, so he needed to see a doctor and get antibiotics.