Eva Wu, G10,吴佳瑞

During the holidays, my mom and I traveled to Singapore, and it was a truly wonderful experience.

As a garden city-state surrounded by the Singapore Strait, the country is lush and green all year round. It is home to people from many different ethnic backgrounds, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry. The city seamlessly blends orderly living with modern prosperity, and despite its small size, the island is filled with a quiet, diverse gentleness that charmed us from the very first day.

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the bird park. Instead of traditional fences, the enclosures were separated by rivers and lush vegetation, making the animals feel right at home. We saw a stunning variety of birds, including a large flock of flamingos, and even watched a bird show where the keeper introduced each species with great enthusiasm. The Penguin House left the deepest impression on me—the adorable penguins waddling around were simply irresistible. We also had a lovely meal at the park’s restaurant, and the tom yum soup was absolutely fantastic.

Of course, no trip to Singapore would be complete without trying its famous bak kut teh, a local dish that has been listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand for nine consecutive years. Before the trip, I had worried that the name might suggest an odd flavor. However, the moment I took my first sip of the rich, herbal broth and bit into the tender pork ribs, all my doubts disappeared. The savory, aromatic soup was incredibly comforting and delicious, leaving an unforgettable taste that lingered long after the meal.

On our last day, we went hiking at Jurong Lake Gardens. The tropical sun blazed overhead, and the weather was extremely hot and humid. Tired and sweaty from the walk, we followed the local custom and bought a cup of chilled coconut ice—a popular treat among tourists. The cold, tender coconut meat and sweet, refreshing juice cooled us down instantly, making it the perfect refreshment for our outing.

What a wonderful trip to Singapore it was!