Lego Marvels

This is a must-see. Due to its overwhelming popularity, The Art of the Brick exhibition at the ArtScience Museum (S$14 [B333]. Marina Bay Sands, www.marinabaysands.com) has been extended until May 26 (it was scheduled to close on Apr 14). The story behind the exhibition is that Nathan Sawaya, a New York-based attorney, created a blog displaying art pieces made from his favorite childhood toy, Lego. After the blog became popular, he decided to quit his day job and become a full-time artist creating mind-blowing works from Lego bricks. This exhibition is his largest ever, featuring all of his previous works, including the famed human figures and a life-size dinosaur.

Surreal Forrest

Gardens by the Bay (S$28 [B665]. www.gardensbythebay.com.sg) has been firmly in the spotlight since its opening last June. This man-made tropical forest, housed in two conservatories, is Singapore’s priciest government-funded mega project this decade, costing more than B24 billion. Three main highlights are the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest (reminiscent of Avatar) and Super Trees (tree-like structures acting as solar power sources). While we still prefer our real forest in Khaoyai and real flowers in Angkhang, this place is worth a visit to see how the Singaporeans combine ecology and technology to make use of their limited resources. All electricity here is generated from burning fallen leaves and branches, together with solar cells and an advanced hydro-cooling system—there’s no reliance on fossil fuels.

Under the Sea

The newest addition to kids-favorite Resort World Sentosa is the S.E.A. Aquarium (S$29 [B689]. www.rwsentosa.com), the world’s largest aquarium to date, containing more than 800 forms of marine life. Highlights include the world’s largest fish tank, some 36 meters wide and 8 meters tall, a tunnel displaying 200 sharks, and a room showing more kinds of jellyfish than you would probably care to imagine.

Caffeine Coolness

Singapore’s coffee scene has really picked up in recent years in terms of both the quality and diversity of beans. Most of the island’s hot coffee shops are situated in Tiong Bahru, an old government housing area which is now an uber-hip district. Places like 40 Hands (#01-12, 78 Yong Siak St., +65-6225-8545), Tiong Bahru Bakery (#1-70, 56 Eng Hoon St., +65-6220-3430) The Orange Thimble (#01-68, Blk. 56, Eng Hoon St., +65-9750-3989) and Drips (#01-68, Blk. 56, Eng Hoon St., +65-9750-3989) are the top places to order an espresso and be seen on weekends.