MPDTT Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 I'm here on a business trip. What an amazing city / country! This is my first time to Asia and I'm just blown away by Singapore. The sites, the people, the cleanliness, the food - it's amazing! Who else has been here? I think more Asia travel is in my future! Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awards Moderator HarmonicGenerator Posted June 19, 2019 Awards Moderator Share Posted June 19, 2019 I was there a couple of weeks ago! I loved it. Lots of great sights (and a fantastic zoo), so easy to get around with the MRT, and the hawker centres for food were amazing. We've got friends who are from there so will happily go back. We were told beforehand that it's ideal if you've never been to Asia before (we haven't) and I'm now recommending it to everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPDTT Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 Thanks for the suggestions. I have Friday and Saturday to myself before coming home, so have some tourist days. This is my 4th long haul trip in 2 months, so I'd not put much planning into it until I got here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awards Moderator HarmonicGenerator Posted June 19, 2019 Awards Moderator Share Posted June 19, 2019 (edited) 20 minutes ago, MPDTT said: Thanks for the suggestions. I have Friday and Saturday to myself before coming home, so have some tourist days. This is my 4th long haul trip in 2 months, so I'd not put much planning into it until I got here. My toppest tips from what we did:  - If you haven't had a chance to look at the Gardens By The Bay, they're really impressive. You have to pay to go into the Cloud Forest dome but it's well worth it, spectacular stuff with a strong environmental message.  - The zoo was my highlight, it's divided into the main zoo, the River Safari (freshwater animals and those who depend on rivers) and the Night Safari (which we didn't have time for, but nocturnal animals). Easily a full day if you're interested in wildlife and conservation.  - the National Museum is good, the History of Singapore gallery puts a lot of what you're seeing into context, i.e. the mix of cultures and influences that Singapore has had.  - For food, find your nearest hawker centre, for dozens and dozens of affordable and tasty street food options. There's one at Marina Bay but we thought the Maxwell one (just round the corner from Chinatown MRT stop) was the best. Whether you want gyoza or chicken rice or chili crab or an ice cream sandwich they've probably got you covered, plus loads of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and Western options.  - And if you've got some time at the airport check out the Spider-Man exhibition with a small selection of costumes and props from the new film. Edited June 19, 2019 by HarmonicGenerator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Houchen Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 Look for the urban otters. They’re ace. Also, it’s custom for first time visitors to put used chewing gum on the pavement. It sounds weird to us but make sure you do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Accident Prone Posted June 19, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted June 19, 2019 (edited) I'm thinking of Singapore for the Honeymoon next summer, so all this info is tremendously useful. Cheers! Edited June 19, 2019 by Accident Prone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awards Moderator HarmonicGenerator Posted June 19, 2019 Awards Moderator Share Posted June 19, 2019 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Accident Prone said: I'm thinking of Singapore for the Honeymoon next summer, so all this info is tremendously useful. Cheers! If you're tempted to splash out on the super-posh Marina Bay Sands hotel for your honeymoon, I wouldn't bother. Maybe do one night so you can use the infinity pool at the top but overall the place is pretty soulless and too huge for it to really feel personal or special, plus it's shared with a shopping centre and a casino so there aren't even really hotel-exclusive places to eat or lobbies. Secret Escapes quite regularly have deals on the Yotel on Orchard Road which we absolutely loved and would highly recommend. Small rooms but really comfy, well looked after and very friendly, and they have two robots with GPS who will travel autonomously to your room and deliver towels or bottles of water. Also a great breakfast, nice pool area, and really central. Edited June 19, 2019 by HarmonicGenerator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Accident Prone Posted June 19, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted June 19, 2019 12 minutes ago, HarmonicGenerator said: If you're tempted to splash out on the super-posh Marina Bay Sands hotel for your honeymoon, I wouldn't bother. Maybe do one night so you can use the infinity pool at the top but overall the place is pretty soulless and too huge for it to really feel personal or special, plus it's shared with a shopping centre and a casino so there aren't even really hotel-exclusive places to eat or lobbies. Secret Escapes quite regularly have deals on the Yotel on Orchard Road which we absolutely loved and would highly recommend. Small rooms but really comfy, well looked after and very friendly, and they have two robots with GPS who will travel autonomously to your room and deliver towels or bottles of water. Also a great breakfast, nice pool area, and really central. You sealed the deal with the robots! The Yotel sounds right up our street, definitely what we're after in terms of price and location and the like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPDTT Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 1 hour ago, HarmonicGenerator said: My toppest tips from what we did:  - If you haven't had a chance to look at the Gardens By The Bay, they're really impressive. You have to pay to go into the Cloud Forest dome but it's well worth it, spectacular stuff with a strong environmental message.  - The zoo was my highlight, it's divided into the main zoo, the River Safari (freshwater animals and those who depend on rivers) and the Night Safari (which we didn't have time for, but nocturnal animals). Easily a full day if you're interested in wildlife and conservation.  - the National Museum is good, the History of Singapore gallery puts a lot of what you're seeing into context, i.e. the mix of cultures and influences that Singapore has had.  - For food, find your nearest hawker centre, for dozens and dozens of affordable and tasty street food options. There's one at Marina Bay but we thought the Maxwell one (just round the corner from Chinatown MRT stop) was the best. Whether you want gyoza or chicken rice or chili crab or an ice cream sandwich they've probably got you covered, plus loads of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and Western options.  - And if you've got some time at the airport check out the Spider-Man exhibition with a small selection of costumes and props from the new film. Thanks again, I've done the Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the bay. Came across a sign that read "Gardens by the Bay, Bay", which made me chuckle. The light show at 7.45pm at the gardens was awesome. Anyway, I plan to go back to the Sands tomorrow night and gamble and head up to the Cé La Vi skybar on the roof of the Marina Bay Sands. I've already spent 2 evenings in China town and went to Little India the night of the India / Packistan cricket match - the atmosphere was amazing. I also really enjoyed the Singapore River Walk - starting at Clarke Quay and heading down to to the bay - just amazing. The zoo on Saturday sounds like fun - thanks for that. And @Accident Prone- for a posh honeymoon hotel, check out The Fullerton Hotel. Its right by the famous Merlion statue. I'm staying at the PARKROYAL on Pickering Street and thats also gorgeous.   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awards Moderator HarmonicGenerator Posted June 19, 2019 Awards Moderator Share Posted June 19, 2019 55 minutes ago, Accident Prone said: You sealed the deal with the robots! The Yotel sounds right up our street, definitely what we're after in terms of price and location and the like. Here’s Yolanda the robot, waiting for the lift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Your Fight Site Posted June 20, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted June 20, 2019 I stayed at the YOTEL in New York a couple of years ago but feel short-changed now. We didn’t have a robot that delivered towels! There was a big robotic arm in reception that you give it your suitcase, and it puts it away for you though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Accident Prone Posted June 20, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted June 20, 2019 I did some proper research into Singapore last night, and I'm disappointed to say that it's probably off the shortlist due to how expensive it is there. Every website and travel blog mentioned the high cost of day-to-day living and attractions straight off the bat. How did you guys find it here? Is it that bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awards Moderator HarmonicGenerator Posted June 20, 2019 Awards Moderator Share Posted June 20, 2019 36 minutes ago, Accident Prone said: I did some proper research into Singapore last night, and I'm disappointed to say that it's probably off the shortlist due to how expensive it is there. Every website and travel blog mentioned the high cost of day-to-day living and attractions straight off the bat. How did you guys find it here? Is it that bad? Not from my experience. We budgeted our usual amount, and got it in cash because I find that an easier way to make sure I don't overspend. We didn't come back with much but that's because we spent most of what we had left at the airport! Public transport is very reasonable if you get one of the EZ-Link travel cards (mine had a picture of Kylo Ren, so bonus), the attractions aren't anything more than you'd expect to pay for the equivalent over here or in New York or somewhere, and because we mostly ate at the hawker centres (and at the wedding we'd gone over for) I didn't find the food overpriced at all. Neither of us drink or particularly like shopping, though, so if those sorts of things are on your list it might cost more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Accident Prone Posted June 20, 2019 Paid Members Share Posted June 20, 2019 7 hours ago, HarmonicGenerator said: Not from my experience. We budgeted our usual amount, and got it in cash because I find that an easier way to make sure I don't overspend. We didn't come back with much but that's because we spent most of what we had left at the airport! Public transport is very reasonable if you get one of the EZ-Link travel cards (mine had a picture of Kylo Ren, so bonus), the attractions aren't anything more than you'd expect to pay for the equivalent over here or in New York or somewhere, and because we mostly ate at the hawker centres (and at the wedding we'd gone over for) I didn't find the food overpriced at all. Neither of us drink or particularly like shopping, though, so if those sorts of things are on your list it might cost more. Cheers, I'll have to do a bit more research then. It looks like a brilliant place, I'd hate to miss it because of our budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Bifkin Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Come on lads, tell us about the ladyboys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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