Singapore calls itself the Garden City, and after a week here, I understood the name is no exaggeration. Even in the heart of the financial district, vertical gardens cascade down skyscrapers and trees sprout from every available surface. Nature and urbanity have reached an accommodation here that feels revolutionary.

The Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay felt like stepping into a sci-fi film – these vertical gardens up to 50 meters tall illuminate at night in a dazzling light show. Below them, the Cloud Forest dome housed the world's tallest indoor waterfall surrounded by mist-shrouded mountain vegetation. The Flower Dome displayed gardens from Mediterranean and semi-tropical climates.

Hawker centers introduced me to Singapore's soul food – chicken rice at Tian Tian Hainanese, satay at Lau Pa Sat, chili crab at Newton. Eating family-style at these communal tables, sharing space with locals and tourists alike, was the opposite of pretentious. The Michelin-starred hawker stalls proved that accessible food can achieve excellence.

Little India, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam showcased Singapore's multicultural fabric – temples beside mosques beside churches, all within walking distance. This tiny island punches enormously above its weight in art, food, and innovation. I found more to discover than I could fit into one trip.

– Carmel