“Asia …hmm, we'd often talked of going there one day, but with the kids…” I found myself contemplating attending - a trip to Singapore would be a wonderful break. Their special day happened to coincide with Julie and my wedding anniversary, but it was also a day away from Sally's 7th birthday. I doubted we could actually afford it. We had a little saved for that ‘rainy day', but it wasn't raining and it would be an extravagance.

Singapore. I had been there once before. Flew in and out again, but had managed to go on the free tour around the island, between flights and had always thought it would be nice to go back. With three children, however, it had never been possible. Julie bundled the kids out of the door, off to school and came and stood next to me. I handed her the invitation and mentioned my thoughts. “We could do it, you know,” she said. “I've got that bonus coming from the company next week and both you and I have talked of a trip there, for years. Let's go, we may never have this chance again.”

And we did. I booked the flights that very afternoon and took a friend's advice and booked the Copthorne Orchid Hotel (for 3 nights) and the Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort (for our anniversary treat) on Sentosa Island for a further 2 nights, through HotelTravel.com. The following month we found ourselves, departing from England and heading east towards the tiny island also known as ‘ Lion City ', Singapore.

The following day, we had arranged to meet the bride and go on a river cruise together. We were pleased to see Tim beaming from ear to ear and very obviously besotted. Ni Win was perfect for him. Our kids loved her too, even more so when they discovered their new aunt came as a package deal and had two of her own children, the same ages as our eldest two, to show them the sights along the river.

We lunched in China Town and in the evening, partied at Ni Win's apartment on Orchard Road to celebrate the imminent betrothal. The next morning found us with Ni Win's two boys, Lu and Li. They had been deposited with us at 7 a.m. by Tim. “Hope you don't mind? Ni Win and I have to pop over to Malaysia for the day. We will be back latest by 11 p.m. tonight. Say happy birthday to Sally. The kids will have fun”. And left…

Late that afternoon we took the kids to the Singapore Zoo, probably one of the better zoos to be found anywhere. After enjoying a lovely buffet dinner there we attended the amazingly worthwhile Night Safari Tour. It certainly kept the kids entertained and they were still awake on arriving back at the hotel just in time to be collected by their mum and Tim.

The wedding followed the next day and like us, most guests seemed to leave the reception, held at the Raffles Hotel, way after midnight. Our request for a late departure from our hotel the following morning proved a good choice and we were able to rid ourselves of our slight hangovers fairly comfortably. Even the kids slept in.

Departing at around mid-day we caught the cable car to Sentosa Island for two days of sheer indulgence. On arrival on the island we checked in at the Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort, which is right on the beach. Then we went on the 40 minute monorail available here to get a better idea of this, Singapore's playground.

Sentosa Island is many things in one. There's an aquarium, a butterfly park, orchid garden, water-park, an Asian Village theme park and a Maritime Museum. You can swim at the beach, play miniature golf, see a musical fountain show and do tons of other activities. For us, it was the perfect choice and a great place to spend our final day's holiday as a family.

Our hotel catered to our needs perfectly and after settling in to our adjoining rooms, we had dinner and retired early in order to have plenty of time to really discover the place the next day. Morning announced itself, with shrieks of laughter coming from the children's room and then our door was flung open and a loud chorus of “I'm hungry” rang though our heads. The day had begun.

An hour later, still slightly numb and foggy-eyed, we made our way down to the hotel's restaurant for breakfast. The children bound ahead of us; asking us not to eat breakfast ‘forever', because the dolphin show was starting soon. As we were going to the afternoon show, we weren't too concerned. When we saw the breakfast buffet, we were pleased we could take our time.

The next day saw us on Siloso Beach in front of the hotel, snorkelling with the kids in the shallows. In the afternoon we wandered around the wax museum while the children were entertained by the hotel's kid's club. Later they were looked after by child care staff when we went to the Geylang Food Safari for our final dinner and second to last meal before heading home.If you are considering a holiday destination and intend travelling with kids, choose Singapore, more particularly Sentosa Island. You'll be glad you did.