We set off from Bangalore on our first international trip as a married couple -Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand over 12 days. But here’s the thing: it never felt like a honeymoon. No roses, violins, or dreamy stares – we were still just us. Best friends who got married and then packed their bags to see the world, laugh at the silly things, and eat way too much curd rice and pizza by the beach.
Singapore — Smooth, Surprising & So Structured
We landed in the evening, still giggling at how little had changed between us after marriage. Just two goofy people figuring out metro systems in a shiny new city. Singapore is fast, efficient, and disciplined. So much so that watching people stand in a queue for an empty metro was a cultural shock. 😄
We struggled a bit getting our EZ-Link cards, but soon realized they were our golden keys – usable not just on the MRT but also at 7-Elevens, vending machines, and even for water dispensers! After a 45-minute journey, we reached Lavender MRT, where I spotted the most adorable red double-decker bus and squealed like a kid.
It was hot, humid — and yes, we forgot our sunglasses. First stop? Decathlon, to get the most budget-friendly ones we could find. Priorities!
Dinner took us to Little India, where the comfort of dosa and sambar called out to me, while my husband scouted for local veg options (and returned disappointed). I chose curd rice, curled up, and called it a night.
The next day, we headed to Universal Studios — not by metro, but by Grab taxi, just to see the streets and feel the vibe. Our driver, a cheerful Malaysian-Indian, suggested temples and hawker stalls. So classic! 😄
Inside Universal, we were wide-eyed kids again. The Transformers 3D ride blew our minds, followed by the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster and a stroll through the New York street zone. Every moment felt cinematic.
Evenings brought magic – Gardens by the Bay, where the Super-Trees lit up to old English classics (yes, Beatles and Elvis!). We also watched a lion dance, not like our familiar Udupi temple ones, but an intense, acrobatic cultural show.
We explored the ArtScience Museum, where immersive digital rooms lit up with stars, waves, and animated life all around us. It felt like walking through a dream.
Weird Singapore Things We Noticed:
• Matcha KitKat that looked cute but confused our tastebuds.
• Robots collecting trays at food courts & traffic surveillance (efficient but slightly creepy).
We strolled through Orchard Road, tried veg laksa, mushroom bao, and explored pastel-painted heritage neighborhoods that looked straight out of a design magazine.
And every night, wherever we were, we’d pause, talk to family, share tiny updates and check in — because travel’s fun, but love multiplies when shared.
Malaysia – Tall Towers, Tiny Highs
From Singapore, we flew to Kuala Lumpur, and the first thing we fell for? Our hotel room view – Petronas Towers lit up the skyline, and the iconic Batu Caves peeked from a distance.
We did the classic Genting Highlands cable car ride, which was scenic and dreamy, but most other experiences felt a little hyped. Shopping didn’t excite us much, and the food was just okay. What really got us was a local dessert shop selling cheese-stuffed durian puffs — a combination we bravely didn’t try.
Weird Malaysia Things We Noticed:
• Fish spas in malls — where tiny fish nibble at your feet.
• Durian everything — ice cream, candies, cakes, even bubble tea.
• Zero pedestrian culture — crossing roads was an extreme sport.
It felt more like a 2-day pitstop before Thailand. Still, we were glad to have seen it.
Thailand — Raincoats, Islands & Dreamy sunsets
Krabi welcomed us with moody skies and soft drizzle — and honestly, we loved it. We began with a visit to an Elephant Nature Sanctuary where we fed, walked beside, and got up close with gentle giants. The quiet, the mud, and the connection… it felt real.
Evenings were beachy and breezy at Ao Nang, where we ended up having pizza by the beach (unplanned but perfect). And yes — we lived in our cute little raincoats, walking through markets, finding treasures like handmade bags, personalized passport covers, and other souvenirs for our folks back home.
Phuket was where the energy picked up — loud, bright, chaotic in a way that made us smile. We spent a day at Phi Phi Islands, cruising on turquoise water and stopping at Maya Bay, where the scenery looked unreal. Our resort in Patong was a dream — with a full ocean view, slow mornings, and zero regrets.
We rented a two-wheeler to explore at our pace, and found the sweetest Gujju vegetarian restaurants — kadhi, theplas, rotis… we were home.
Weird Thailand Things We Noticed:
• Pineapple in everything — fried rice, curries, pizza, desserts.
• Crispy bugs sold as snacks in night markets.
• Spas offering fish to clean your feet and coconuts to drink during massage. Wild combo.
And as always, we called our families every night, no matter how tired or late. Voices, smiles & grins reminded us that we’re never too far from home.
Back home again! We landed back in Bangalore with tanned skin, heavier bags, lighter wallets, and full hearts. And nothing, matched the joy of coming home to homemade food, soft pillows, and that beautiful silence after so many days of movement.
One Thing We’ll Always Remember:
That travel doesn’t change who you are – it just brings you closer to yourself.
We weren’t on a honeymoon all that is said and done. We were just us – still best friends, still choosing each other, across cities, currencies, confusion, and curd rice. ❤️
Some of our favourite pictures! ✨
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