If there was one thing I could change...
...about our trip to Bangladesh and Singapore, it would be having more time in each place. It was a trip for the books, where we spent quality time with family, explored old haunts and new, and took the time to actually recharge ourselves.
Our first stop was in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Every other year, we visit Sumon's family there, where our children get a chance to hang with their cousins, adda every afternoon with family over cups of cha and servings of various bhaja-pura, and take strolls across my husband's neighborhood of Kalabagan. Since our schedule was super tight this time, we sprinkled in trips to Bashundhara City for saree shopping and checking out the latest restaurants in between moments with family. Our top recommendations for restaurants or food include: Waza for high-end Kashmiri cuisine, Thai Emerald for an immaculate and flavorful menu, Dough Dairies for their nunta biscuits, and the sweet and spicy corn found at any of the shopping malls. This year, we also took a day trip to Sumon's village in Nawabganj, where we visited his mother's grave and spent time with his nanu. It was Inaya and Nehan's first time visiting the rural parts of Bangladesh. My favorite day, however, was the newly minted "Ammu/Mami Day," where I took my kids and nieces out for a day of limitless shopping (read: spoiling) and eating dim sum at our fave place, Yum Cha District. It was nice to just see them be themselves with no bounds, while they hung out with each other - I was just a fly on the wall (and financier)... and I wouldn't have it any other way. They make me whole.
We then flew to Singapore, where I had spent several summers growing up when my father would teach summer courses at Nanyang Tech University. Our kids had never been there, and I was feeling very nostalgic, so we decided to visit. We went to Clark Quay on our first night, where we took the river cruise (you must do it at night to see the amazing Singapore skyline), and ate some ice cream to heal us from the humidity. From there, we hopped over to Chinatown, walked around, and then had dinner at Sawasdee Thai... gloriously flavorful! Our hotel was in the heart of Orchard Street, so it goes without saying that we mall-hopped and shopped around till our hearts' content. Speaking of shopping, we also ventured through the Marina Sands mall where we couldn't afford anything, but the mall itself is spectacular and is truly an experience. We then walked over to the Gardens by the Bay (which is also a must at nighttime). Do check out the nightly laser and light shows - both on the water and in the Gardens. Later that night, we went to Koma for an incredibly delish Japanese meal - their sushi was so fresh! We also went to Little India (and yes, Mustafa Center, obvi), and explored Arab Street for the first time. We liked the latter so much we went back for late-night smash burgers at Burgs and listened to live music. Singapore is modern, magical, and everything all at once. A lot of people say you can see the whole city-state in one day. Maybe, if you want to remember nothing. Spend a few days, aim to see a piece of it, and take home a heart full of memories. THAT is how you do Singapore.
