Sarah Jane LeeCOVID-19 may have been the break we needed from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Many of us had the opportunity to smell the roses after being forced to take a back seat and stay grounded in Singapore. Here are seven things we wouldn’t have done if not for COVID-19 in Singapore.
1. Singapolidays with SingapoRediscovers Vouchers
Image credit: Singapore Tourism Board
Being so used to travelling far and wide, it’s nice to revisit Singapore’s own share of attractions. Thanks to the SingapoRediscover vouchers, Singaporeans were pumped during the holiday season to venture around heartlands and landmarks to maximise their time and special deals.
Also read: 5 SG Getaways to Embark On With Your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers For the Complete Singapoliday!
You can use your SingapoRediscovers vouchers from 1 Dec 2020 to 30 Jun 2021 for attractions, hotels, and tours that have received approval to re-open or resume, and are eligible merchants.
Image credit: Singapore Tourism Board
2. Staycations galore
Who would’ve imagined waking up to a brilliant sunrise or going an adrenaline-filled escapade within the comfort of Singapore’s cityscape? As of 15 Jul 2020, hotels began reopening their doors to eager travellers yearning for a quick getaway.
Image credit: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Furthermore, gift vouchers and discount packages of up to 50% off original pricing were some methods used to entice individuals. You can tell how much Singaporeans were gearing to ‘travel’ when more than 11,900 bookings were received the same day they opened.
Image credit: W Singapore Sentosa Cove
3. SIA’s Restaurant@A380
Image credit: Singapore Airlines
Relive the all-time highs of flying with Singapore Airlines! Having suffered their biggest loss in its 48-year history, Singapore Airlines opened cabin doors to their Restaurant @A380 dining experience on 24 and 25 Oct 2020. From $50, diners could enjoy a three-course meal on board an A380 aircraft with entertainment and service as per Singapore Airline’s trademark.
A behind-the-scenes tour of SIA’s training facility and a flight simulator experience were part of other offers rolled out by Singapore Airlines to revive the aviation sector.
Image credit: Singapore Airlines
We bet you’d never imagine dining on a stationary aircraft if it weren’t for COVID-19.
4. Virtual tours
Image credit: Monster Tours
Travelling has transformed with the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that globetrotting has tentatively paused, why not savour the beauty of Machu Picchu or gaze awestruck at the pyramids of Giza from your screen?
Hop onto the virtual bandwagon with tours of Pulau Ubin’s Chek Jawa Wetlands or interactive tours around Little India and other local landmarks. All this from the comfort of your home!
5. Virtual broadway/theatre
Calling all fans of Broadway and West End. Thanks to streaming platforms from Singapore and worldwide, avid theatre-goers could attend theatre production and renowned broadway shows from the living room.
Image credit: Pangdemonium
In addition, homegrown theatre companies like Sight Lines Entertainment and Pangdemonium have hosted their share of virtual productions and livestream videos. Here’s to a keeping the spirit of performing arts scenes ignited despite the pandemic!
6. Cruises to nowhere
Image credit: Royal Caribbean
Sail the high seas with Singapore’s cruise-to-nowhere initiative. Genting Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean rolled out plans to begin sailing from 6 Nov 2020, keeping in line with Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) CruiseSafe programme. Passengers could look forward to this ‘superstaycation’ coupled with all three meals and outdoor activities like waterslides and rock climbing.
Despite initial concerns, Genting Cruises hauled in more than 6,000 bookings in five days. It’s true when they say Singaporeans love to travel and will seize any opportunity they can get.
7. Hopping on social media trends
Circuit Breaker was undeniably one of Singapore’s toughest battles in 2020. Enforced measures and shutting down of many facilities brought the country to a standstill. Nevertheless, many jumped onto social media for trending content like the #pushupchallenge or manually whisking dalgona coffee. We realised the tremendous amount of effort needed to make your own brown sugar boba milk tea!
Image credit: Oana Cristina
Months on, some trends may have passed but we’ll never forget the online shopping hauls and daily High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts over Zoom with friends.
2020 has been a wild ride, to say the least. Here’s to a better year ahead in 2021, whereby wearing face masks and washing our hands frequently won’t be so foreign after all.
