Discussion
Spent a few days there at the end of the year and things we enjoyed (although we had our 7 year old with us so somewhat kid focused):
Gardens by the Bay was a fun place to check out, the indoor cloud forecast was great and we went back in the evening to see it all lit up (although the xmas market in the middle of it was a bit strange)
Sentosa Island worked well (universal studios, excellent aquarium) although somewhat lacking in culture, you could be anywhere in the world
Night Safari was enjoyable
We spent a few hours just wondering around china town, some cool temples etc
Lau Pa Sat food market worked well for us (near our hotel and good selection of food at reasonable price)
hope that helps
Gardens by the Bay was a fun place to check out, the indoor cloud forecast was great and we went back in the evening to see it all lit up (although the xmas market in the middle of it was a bit strange)
Sentosa Island worked well (universal studios, excellent aquarium) although somewhat lacking in culture, you could be anywhere in the world
Night Safari was enjoyable
We spent a few hours just wondering around china town, some cool temples etc
Lau Pa Sat food market worked well for us (near our hotel and good selection of food at reasonable price)
hope that helps
b
hstewie said:
hstewie said: I may be on a business trip to Singapore in two weeks time.
Never been before.
Given the distance it seems mad not to get a couple of days extra at the end of the trip to have a look around.
Things to know other than what Google throws up?
Not really, there's the usual assortment of things like Sentosa, et al. The best advice I can give you is bring your wallet. Singapore is expensive.Never been before.
Given the distance it seems mad not to get a couple of days extra at the end of the trip to have a look around.
Things to know other than what Google throws up?
Singapore is really a commercial hub with a few attractions. Good public transport system though. Singapore is worth seeing at least once.
If Singapore itself doesn't float your boat (or you want to spend more than just a few days), Singapore airport is hub of SE Asia, you can get to a variety of tourist hotspots from Thailand to Vietnam and Indonesia in 2 hours flying time.
Enjoy the evening light show on Marina Bay:
Stroll the F1 Paddock which is open to the public and undated except for races...
Have a G&T at the Atlas bar ( 1300 gins on their list)...brilliant place
Have dinner at Jaan..and enjoy great food and amazing view:
Go to Hawker Chan, cheapest Michelin 1 star on the world..its in a food court:
Stroll the F1 Paddock which is open to the public and undated except for races...
Have a G&T at the Atlas bar ( 1300 gins on their list)...brilliant place
Have dinner at Jaan..and enjoy great food and amazing view:
Go to Hawker Chan, cheapest Michelin 1 star on the world..its in a food court:
Have they got rid of the fairy in Atlas Bar? It used to be a huge wine rack and they had a ‘wine fairy’ on a winch that would whizz up in the air and grab your choice of bottle. I got this shot of her 6 years ago when it was called Divine Wine Bar Society (I think)
I’d disagree with some of the previous comments. Anything about Singapore always attracts “there’s nothing to do but eat and shop, two days is more than enough” comments, but there are tons of things to do. Yes, it’s a good hub to explore more of Asia, but there’s more to it than that, IMO.
I’d disagree with some of the previous comments. Anything about Singapore always attracts “there’s nothing to do but eat and shop, two days is more than enough” comments, but there are tons of things to do. Yes, it’s a good hub to explore more of Asia, but there’s more to it than that, IMO.
Philplop said:
Have they got rid of the fairy in Atlas Bar? It used to be a huge wine rack and they had a ‘wine fairy’ on a winch that would whizz up in the air and grab your choice of bottle. I got this shot of her 6 years ago when it was called Divine Wine Bar Society (I think)
I’d disagree with some of the previous comments. Anything about Singapore always attracts “there’s nothing to do but eat and shop, two days is more than enough” comments, but there are tons of things to do. Yes, it’s a good hub to explore more of Asia, but there’s more to it than that, IMO.
I have always had a great time In Singapore. Sadly the wine fairy seems to have had her wings clipped. I’d disagree with some of the previous comments. Anything about Singapore always attracts “there’s nothing to do but eat and shop, two days is more than enough” comments, but there are tons of things to do. Yes, it’s a good hub to explore more of Asia, but there’s more to it than that, IMO.
I went in Feb on a work jolly and wouldn’t rush back. Stayed in the Marina Bay Sands which was nice, but not amazing. The Atlas bar was good as was a place in the Botanical Gardens called Casa Verde. Steak sandwich with the truffle chips; job done!
And I went to the 4 floors with a mate who lives out there now. Didn’t enjoy that either!
Food is good, drinking is good, and if you want to drop a few quid on a Richard Mille, the MBS is the place to go.
And I went to the 4 floors with a mate who lives out there now. Didn’t enjoy that either!
Food is good, drinking is good, and if you want to drop a few quid on a Richard Mille, the MBS is the place to go.
I'm two Km from Singapore as the crow flies, haven't been there for 10 years. If you've never been there is loads to do, but most of it is commercial one way or the other, that's what Singapore is, not bad not good just a fact. If your there you will enjoy it, but I would go out of my way to go there, certainly not a 12 hour flight in economy as a holiday.
For a few days there is loads to see, any business class hotel will sort you out, longer trips then it is easy to travel, Air Asia is first class as a low cost airline, early morning flights are reliable, as the day goes on the time table slips so evening flights are typically 1 hour late,
Tioman islands are nearby about one hour from the entry point to Malaysia to the ferry, both entry points into Malaysia are a problem at the moment, 6 hours to crass last (Easter) weekend, there is currently a 'dispute' about unpaid traffic fines so both countries are being awkward.
Currently they are pushing the Desaru beach resorts in Malaysia, and the new Hard Rock hotel, as a weekend destination from Singapore, don'r bother. I live there, great place to live but there are a lot better beaches you can get to with Air Asia.
For a few days there is loads to see, any business class hotel will sort you out, longer trips then it is easy to travel, Air Asia is first class as a low cost airline, early morning flights are reliable, as the day goes on the time table slips so evening flights are typically 1 hour late,
Tioman islands are nearby about one hour from the entry point to Malaysia to the ferry, both entry points into Malaysia are a problem at the moment, 6 hours to crass last (Easter) weekend, there is currently a 'dispute' about unpaid traffic fines so both countries are being awkward.
Currently they are pushing the Desaru beach resorts in Malaysia, and the new Hard Rock hotel, as a weekend destination from Singapore, don'r bother. I live there, great place to live but there are a lot better beaches you can get to with Air Asia.
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: To be clear, it's business so they're paying.
Presume language and safety (staying central) isn't an issue from what I'm reading?
Language is fine.Presume language and safety (staying central) isn't an issue from what I'm reading?
Safety is another level, if you see a laptop or a id card on an empty table is because they can and it means the table is taken and they are getting a drink, etc. Mugging, etc is taken very seriously there and as such it doesnt really happen.
Do not get into anything that could be seen as a crime (hideously drunk, etc) as the expat you are guilty and they are strict, I have known people lose the right to work in Singapore over a disagreement which turned into a fight.
Du1point8 said:
Language is fine.
Safety is another level, if you see a laptop or a id card on an empty table is because they can and it means the table is taken and they are getting a drink, etc. Mugging, etc is taken very seriously there and as such it doesnt really happen.
Do not get into anything that could be seen as a crime (hideously drunk, etc) as the expat you are guilty and they are strict, I have known people lose the right to work in Singapore over a disagreement which turned into a fight.
Thank you, that's the kind of thing I wanted to hear. I'm not a pissed up expat so that isn't an issue, I've been to Japan but it's my first time in that part of the world and being it's business it's just me until I reach the venue hence a little nervous (or am I not supposed to admit that Safety is another level, if you see a laptop or a id card on an empty table is because they can and it means the table is taken and they are getting a drink, etc. Mugging, etc is taken very seriously there and as such it doesnt really happen.
Do not get into anything that could be seen as a crime (hideously drunk, etc) as the expat you are guilty and they are strict, I have known people lose the right to work in Singapore over a disagreement which turned into a fight.
).It was packed but Gardens by the Bay was worth the visit.
I ate a few good things at hawker centres and did things in the surrounding areas:
- Roast Paradise Char Siu at Old Airport Road. The park is also nice here, where they do a Parkrun from at 7am on a Sat if you're in to that.
- Hainanese chicken rice at Maxwell food centre. This is Chinatown area and great for a look around. There's a few streets here with cool bars etc too.
I did go up to the bar on top of Marina Bay Sands for a cocktail and a beer. Enjoyed it, was worth the visit. Amazing view at night.
I'd encourage you to not just do stuff in walking distance, the MRT is really easy to use and efficient (and much lower temperature than walking!).
I ate a few good things at hawker centres and did things in the surrounding areas:
- Roast Paradise Char Siu at Old Airport Road. The park is also nice here, where they do a Parkrun from at 7am on a Sat if you're in to that.
- Hainanese chicken rice at Maxwell food centre. This is Chinatown area and great for a look around. There's a few streets here with cool bars etc too.
I did go up to the bar on top of Marina Bay Sands for a cocktail and a beer. Enjoyed it, was worth the visit. Amazing view at night.
I'd encourage you to not just do stuff in walking distance, the MRT is really easy to use and efficient (and much lower temperature than walking!).
bhstewie said:
hstewie said:Du1point8 said:
Language is fine.
Safety is another level, if you see a laptop or a id card on an empty table is because they can and it means the table is taken and they are getting a drink, etc. Mugging, etc is taken very seriously there and as such it doesnt really happen.
Do not get into anything that could be seen as a crime (hideously drunk, etc) as the expat you are guilty and they are strict, I have known people lose the right to work in Singapore over a disagreement which turned into a fight.
Thank you, that's the kind of thing I wanted to hear. I'm not a pissed up expat so that isn't an issue, I've been to Japan but it's my first time in that part of the world and being it's business it's just me until I reach the venue hence a little nervous (or am I not supposed to admit that Safety is another level, if you see a laptop or a id card on an empty table is because they can and it means the table is taken and they are getting a drink, etc. Mugging, etc is taken very seriously there and as such it doesnt really happen.
Do not get into anything that could be seen as a crime (hideously drunk, etc) as the expat you are guilty and they are strict, I have known people lose the right to work in Singapore over a disagreement which turned into a fight.
).Cheesy tourist dinner at Boat Quay by the river very expensive seafood (could do jumbos in clarke quay instead)
Drinks in Clarke Quay/Robertson Quay
Stare at electronics at Funan Mall
Singapore Zoo
Shops at Orchard Road
Sentosa/Mount Faber
Drinks on Club Street.
Night Safari
Little India/little Thailand
Satay street after 8pm
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g2...
Parks and stuff:
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature
Long Bar in Raffles for a Singapore Sling, though it is rubbish, overpriced and boring. Sorry, but it is the 'thing' to do and remember to throw peanut shells on the floor.
Go to top of Swisshotel for a few drinks:
http://www.swissotel.com/hotels/singapore-stamford...
Champagne all you can drink and eat
https://www.fullertonhotels.com/the-fullerton-hote...
Liao Fan’s Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle
https://guide.michelin.com/sg/liao-fan-hong-kong-s...
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