Wheelock Place Cone Interior
Singapore probably has the most number of malls I’ve seen in a City. Make that on a city I have been to. If one would go on a trip for shopping, Singapore definitely has it. Especially on sale seasons when foreign visitors get even more bargains than the locals. Heck, Singapore currently holds one flagship National Geographic Store in Vivo Mall (soon in Kuala Lumpur) that made me drool when I got in. I’m not really a mall person but Singapore malls are interesting places aside from shopping.
Iluma Mall at Bugis
I think it’s the relatively small area and the huge resources the country has that Singapore City has become an architect’s playground. The new malls that have been cropping up are a perfect sample of art and architectural fusion.
Iluma Mall plays on curves
The Iluma Mall in Bugis just beside Manila Street is a recent mall that has been developed. At day, its façade looks like a giant bubble wrap but at night it’s hard not to notice its illuminated play of light on its façade at.
Iluma Mall interiors from the top
The interior of Iluma has a playful use of curves and the colors black and red. It looks good but I prefer the view from the top more. The place is still bare with the rest of the shops yet to open. The Bugis Junction Mall across even if its been there for a time has a nice charm with the use of traditional shop houses as stores.
The Bugis Junction Mall made up of old shop houses
Down at the Orchard Road are rows of malls. The new ION mall with an interesting sphere escalator entrance is amusing. The Wheelock’s Place adjoined with the ION via an underground pass has impressive ceiling dome that looks like a spiral constellation of stars. Amazing.
An open street bar at Wisma Atria
Even if there are the new malls, the favorites never are still in Singapore. Looking for cheap gadgets, head over to Sim Lim. Yearning to connect to your Filipino roots, head over to Lucky Plaza. Looking for some good reads, head over to Takashimaya for the largest Kinokuniya Bookstore. Need some rare collectible toys, why not head to China Square Central. There is simply everything for any type of shopaholics.
Enjoying easy music from a Filipino Band
As for me, I just enjoy a good night of strolling to keep myself from buying. Wisma Atria along Orchard Road has this nice open resto with a live Filipino band playing. And boy they are good. They play easy listening music that draws in the street crowd. I just grab a SG$1 waffle ice cream on the streets and sit by enjoying the music. Yep, that’s Singapore, it’s a mall world after all.
Join the Backpack Photography 101 Workshop in Banaue! Get a chance to win a slot here.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
