• By: RIYANKA
• May 18, 2025
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5 Reasons Why I Loved Traveling to Singapore with My Aunt & My Nephew

I’ve been to Singapore before – twice, in fact. But there was something deeply special about returning this time, not because of where I was going, but because of who I was going with.

My aunt, whom I call Pishi, now in her mid-70s, has been my travel companion on some of the most memorable journeys of my life. Together, we’ve explored the colourful bazaars of Turkey, gazed at penguins on Boulders Beach in South Africa, and taken spontaneous detours through different corners of India. She’s the kind of traveller who doesn’t let age slow her down. She’s curious, full of life, and always ready to try something new, whether it’s a cable car ride or a street food stall tucked in an alley.

And the best part about her is that she’s super flexible, which is one of the main reasons why travelling with her has always been so much fun.

This time, I was even more excited because my 9-year-old nephew, Rudra, was tagging along. Although he has travelled a lot with his parents, this was the first time he was coming along with us, and I’ll admit, I was a little too careful about him. But I have to say, kids can be the best travel companions ever, and I wouldn’t have realised that if it weren’t for him.

Here are five reasons why travelling to Singapore with my aunt and nephew was one of the most heartwarming and joy-filled experiences I’ve had in a long time.

Three Generations, One Shared Adventure

There’s something incredibly grounding about travelling with people from different generations. While Pishi was moving at her own slow pace, Rudra added spontaneity and a burst of hard-to-resist energy. In between their contrasting personalities, I found myself weaving in and out of roles – sometimes a guide, sometimes a listener, and sometimes just the quiet observer soaking it all in.

Some of my favourite moments weren’t out in the city, but back in our hotel room. We’d sit together in the evenings, often with tired feet and full hearts, and talk about the history of Singapore. Rudra would chime in with things he’d learned in school – little facts or trivia that surprised us.

He’d also crack the silliest jokes that made me laugh out loud, while Pishi, almost always, would miss the punchline entirely. Her confused expressions and his dramatic explanations turned into a running gag we carried throughout the trip.

There were, of course, moments when the walking got too much for Pishi, especially at Bird Paradise and Universal Studios. We used to find her a cosy café to sit in while Rudra and I continued exploring. She never complained. In fact, she encouraged us to go ahead and enjoy ourselves, and we’d return with stories, photos, and snacks to share with her.

Being with the two of them – at once so different, yet so connected – made me see travel in a new way. It wasn’t just about the places we visited, but the in-between moments of togetherness that made this journey unforgettable.

Bonding with My Nephew Over Sushi, Silliness & Storytelling

I’ll be honest – this trip was, in many ways, about him. About watching him take in the world with wide-eyed wonder. About belly laughs over the silliest jokes. And about our unexpected bonding over Japanese food (yes, while in Singapore).

In those five days, I made it my mission to scout out the best Japanese eateries around Marina Bay Sands, Orchard Road, and even the quieter lanes near Serangoon. It became our little ritual, sitting across from each other with chopsticks in hand, trying new things, swapping stories, and often making up ridiculous ones mid-meal.

Every night, we’d wind down by chatting about the day. His favourite parts almost always included cars (he was amused that taxis in Singapore were often luxury brands) and, of course, food, especially sushi and ramen! Sometimes we’d even rate the sushi or argue about which ramen broth was better!

Somewhere in those moments, I found a little friend, a fellow explorer, and quite possibly the best sushi companion I’ve ever had.

Seeing Familiar Places with Fresh Eyes

I’ve seen Gardens by the Bay before. I’ve screamed my lungs out on the rides at Universal Studios. I’ve walked through the lanes of Chinatown, camera in hand. But this time, everything felt different. Not because the places had changed, but because of who I was with.

Walking into Universal Studios with Rudra brought back memories of the last time I visited. I remember taking the Transformers ride then and oddly missing him. He was the one who first introduced me to Optimus Prime and Bumblebee (names that meant nothing to me until he brought them to life with his enthusiasm)! Well, going back on that same ride with him this time was so much more fun. His excitement was infectious!

I’m not a LEGO person, but whenever I travel, I walk into a LEGO store just to pick up something for him. This time, we ended up spending hours at the LEGO store!

And Pishi? She surprised me in the best ways. She stood in quiet admiration at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, soaking in the chants and the calm. She was genuinely moved by the orderliness of the prayers, the soft rhythm of bells, and the scent of incense floating through the air. 

What I didn’t expect was her reaction to the boat ride at River Wonders inside the Singapore Zoo. I thought it might be too much. But she loved every minute of it – the gentle ride, the creatures we spotted, and the way the jungle seemed to come alive around us.

Travelling with them made me slow down. It reminded me that places don’t have to be new to feel new. Sometimes, all it takes is seeing them through someone else’s eyes: a child’s wonder, an elder’s awe, and your own heart, quietly learning how to notice again.

Moments That Weren’t on the Itinerary

It wasn’t the big-ticket attractions that made this trip unforgettable; rather, it was the quiet, unexpected moments that slipped in between plans. Like sipping chilled Milo on a sticky afternoon, wandering aimlessly through the city. Or the way we’d pause after a climb, catching our breath, only to burst into laughter without any real reason at all.

There was Rudra, making the weirdest frog-like sounds during the Night Safari. And Pishi, softly humming a Tagore song in the backseat of the cab, lost in her own world. I guess these unscripted moments were the soul of our journey.

Places I Wouldn’t Have Gone On My Own

If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have ended up in some of the most unexpected corners of Singapore. From the time this trip was planned, she wanted to visit the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram. So one morning, we made our way there. Tucked away from the city’s buzz, it turned out to be such a peaceful, grounding space.

I was slightly worried that Rudra might get bored, but to my surprise, he loved being there, too. We sat quietly for a while, just soaking in the silence. On our way back, Pishi began telling him stories about Swami Vivekananda, stories I hadn’t heard in years. It felt surreal to have that moment in Singapore, of all places.

And then there were places I found myself in because of Rudra – stores I’d never even glance at otherwise! Like the gigantic Adidas showroom where we spent a chunk of time so that he could pick out a jersey. Or Action City, a toy store packed with collectables, figurines, and gadgets that made his eyes light up. I mostly stood there watching him, amused and happy, realising that sometimes the best part of a trip is letting someone else lead the way.

Travelling to Singapore with family reminded me that some journeys aren’t just about the destination; they’re about the people you share them with, the quiet in-between moments, the stories passed down, and the new ones being written.

It’s not every day you get to walk alongside someone who’s lived through decades of change, and someone who’s just starting to make sense of the world.

And to find yourself in the middle of that, bridging two generations, learning from both – that’s something rare. Well, travelling to Singapore with family was indeed an experience.

This trip was all about Pishi and Rudra, and it’s something I’ll hold close for a long, long time.