A Scrapbook of Memories: Piyush’s Singapore Journey with Thrillophilia
Cover Page
The scrapbook’s cover is simple- plain black, with “The Singapore Adventure” written in hurried scrawl. Inside the front flap, I’ve added my own note:
"Sometimes, the best trips are the ones that start with no plan at all."
How It All Began
It wasn’t meant to be Singapore; the truth is, it wasn’t meant to be anything. My friend and I hadn’t planned for this trip- at least not in the usual sense. It started with one of those lazy Sunday evenings when I was stuck in a loop of chai breaks and monotony.
My friend, of course, showed up uninvited, as he often did, slamming the door open like a storm. “We need to go somewhere,” he announced.
I raised an eyebrow. “Go where?”
“Anywhere but here,” he replied, dropping a travel magazine on the table.
“Singapore?” I asked sceptically, flipping through the pages. “Isn’t that all skyscrapers and shopping malls?”
“That’s what they want you to think. But dig deeper- it’s food, culture, adventure, and stories waiting to be lived. Plus, I’ve been craving chilli crab," he added.
I laughed, but the idea stuck. Over the next few days, we debated other destinations- Thailand, Bali, even Kerala- but Singapore kept pulling us back.
Within a week, flights were booked, a package from Thrillophilia was booked, and my friend had declared himself the “ CVC- chief vibe curator” of our trip.
Page 1: Landing into Magic
The first page of the scrapbook is filled with photos from our arrival. Changi Airport dominates the layout, with its lush Rain Vortex stealing the show. Below it, I’ve scribbled:
"The journey started the moment we landed. Changi isn’t just an airport—it’s a gateway to wonder."
When we landed, it was hard to believe this was an airport. The Rain Vortex was an absolute spectacle, an art installation that set the tone for what was to come. My friend and I stood there, jet-lagged but impressed.
Chinatown greeted us next, where we found our hotel tucked away among vibrant streets buzzing with life. Lanterns swayed gently outside shops and the smell of roasted duck mingled with incense from nearby temples. That evening, we gorged on plates of Hainanese chicken rice and char kway teow from a hawker stall, each bite full of flavour.
Page 2: The Gardens of Tomorrow
Pressed flowers and a Supertree sketch decorate this page. Below it, I’ve written:
"In Singapore, the future doesn’t overshadow nature- it entangles with it."
Our second day began at Gardens by the Bay, a place that felt more like stepping into a futuristic dream than a botanical garden. The Supertrees loomed above us, and my friend couldn’t resist taking dozens of photos.
The Cloud Forest was equally mesmerising- we wandered through misty pathways, marvelling at the cascading waterfall and the vertical gardens teeming with life. It was a reminder that innovation doesn’t have to come at the cost of nature- it can celebrate it.
Later, at Marina Bay Sands, we found ourselves floating in their iconic infinity pool. The city stretched out below, a breathtaking mosaic of ambition and beauty. My friend turned to me with a grin. “Tell me this doesn’t feel like living in a movie.”
Page 3: Heritage Meets Adventure
This page is split between the chaos of Little India and the elegance of Kampong Glam. Beneath it, I’ve written:
"Every street in Singapore tells a story if you’re willing to listen."
Little India felt like stepping into a more vibrant version of home. The streets buzzed with life- flower garlands, fragrant spices, and colourful murals. My friend dragged me to a tiny café, where we sipped on chai and sampled prawn masala that rivalled anything back home.
From there, we ventured to Kampong Glam, where the golden dome of the Sultan Mosque gleamed against the sky. My friend insisted I try nasi lemak, and I quickly understood why it’s considered a national dish- simple yet bursting with flavour.
The next day brought us to Sentosa Island, which had a lot of adventure in store. A zipline through the lush greenery left me breathless, and a visit to the S.E.A. aquarium transported us to a magical underwater world. We stood and stared in awe at the manta rays gliding gracefully past us, their movements like poetry in motion.
Page 4: Neon Nights and River Tales
Photos of Clarke Quay fill this page, the golden lights mirroring off the water. There’s a candid shot of me laughing, mid-bite into a plate of chilli crab, with my friends grinning beside me.
"Clarke Quay is where Singapore’s heartbeat grows louder, pulsating with life."
As night fell, Clarke Quay came alive! Neon lights danced on the river’s surface as we hopped on a bumboat for a leisurely cruise. The city sparkled around us, and for the first time, I felt truly immersed in Singapore’s modernist energy.
Dinner that night was unforgettable- spicy, messy chilli crab paired with a cool beer. And my friend spent half the meal laughing at my attempts to eat without getting sauce all over myself.
Page 5: Wild Encounters
A sketched orangutan swings across this page, accompanied by photos from the Singapore Zoo.
"The Singapore Zoo is a reminder that we share this world- and sometimes, animals do it better than us."
I had never been a fan of zoos, but this one changed my perspective. Open enclosures blurred the lines between us and the animals. Orangutans swung above us, tigers prowled gracefully, and the manatees seemed to glide in slow, deliberate dance.
My friend’s commentary kept the day lighthearted, but even he admitted it was an experience like no other!
Page 6: A Bittersweet Farewell
The last page features a dried leaf from the Supertree Grove, taped carefully to the centre. Beneath it, I’ve written:
"Some places don’t just leave an impression; they leave a part of themselves in you."
On our final evening, we returned to Gardens by the Bay, once again. As the Supertrees lit up one by one, casting their glow across the city, we sat in silence. The weight of leaving felt heavier than I expected and my friend, usually full of jokes, was strangely quiet.
“There’s something about this city,” he finally said. I nodded, unable to find the right words.
Back at home, life resumed its rhythm- the honking traffic, the chai breaks, the endless loop of deadlines. But something had shifted- Singapore had planted a seed of longing, a reminder that the world is vast and brimming with stories waiting to be lived.
Read more: Thrillophilia Singapore Reviews