Singapore

[Steveam]

I’ll be going to Singapore for 5 nights … I’ve been before but a long time ago and briefly.

Accommodation is near Rochor MRT so easy to get around …

Any thoughts or advice very gratefully received.

Best wishes,

Steve

[Dod101]

My thoughts are, five nights, o dear! You will need to do some serious planning because once you have been to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the Gardens by the Bay you will probably have four days left. I have been to Singapore quite a lot but only for three nights or so, quite enough for me. The Botanics are always worth going to, taking the sightseeing bus is good even if you think you know Singapore. Sentosa has changed beyond all recognition from the old days. If you have access to the Tanglin Club that is always worth a visit if just for nostalgia for the colonial days.

I could enjoy it again but four days is quite a lot and I would do a bit of planning. The MRT is great.

Dod

[jaizan]

Choose hotels carefully.
I once booked into a Hotel 81 in Singapore. This looked like a safe choice with a respectable hotel chain roughly equivalent to an IBIS.

I was slightly alarmed when I arrived and noticed they also had an hourly rate on display in reception.
Sleeping was very difficult, due to the noise at any time of night.

[Oggy]

I'd echo Dod's comments. Get around and explore by the MRT which is indeed fantastic and dirt cheap. The Chinese gardens is worth a trip, the zoo is great, Botanic gardens fantastic, and the north of the Island is quite different. Singapore river walk up/down to Clarke Quay is a good stroll. There is also an elevated walkway through the trees on the SW side somewhere.... I simply enjoyed walking around the various quarters and observing just how different things are and yet at the same time weirdly familiar.

[Dod101]

I'd echo Dod's comments. Get around and explore by the MRT which is indeed fantastic and dirt cheap. The Chinese gardens is worth a trip, the zoo is great, Botanic gardens fantastic, and the north of the Island is quite different. Singapore river walk up/down to Clarke Quay is a good stroll. There is also an elevated walkway through the trees on the SW side somewhere.... I simply enjoyed walking around the various quarters and observing just how different things are and yet at the same time weirdly familiar.

I did not mention the Singapore River. When I first went to Singapore it was lined with godowns and the River itself filled with bumboats. Now it is entirely cleaned up and with lots of hotels and places to eat. There is a boat tour you can do on the River which is quite useful for letting you see where places are but it will probably not take more than an hour. The Marine Sands Hotel is amazing and well worth exploring. Big casino of course and it very much reminded me of Las Vegas which is not surprising since that is where the parent company is based.

Surprising fact to me. The lagoon between the mainland and the reclamation where the Sands Hotel is is now a fresh water reservoir. It used to be the sea. Come to think of it, walk or get a cab to Lau Pa Sat and try to avoid the lunch hour when all the workers from the financial district seem to be trying to eat at the same time. It is historical and was moved to its present site some years ago. Filled with hawker stalls with good authentic food. Near the financial district.

Dod

[Lootman]

My thoughts are, five nights, o dear! You will need to do some serious planning because once you have been to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the Gardens by the Bay you will probably have four days left. I have been to Singapore quite a lot but only for three nights or so, quite enough for me. The Botanics are always worth going to, taking the sightseeing bus is good even if you think you know Singapore. Sentosa has changed beyond all recognition from the old days. If you have access to the Tanglin Club that is always worth a visit if just for nostalgia for the colonial days.

I could enjoy it again but four days is quite a lot and I would do a bit of planning. The MRT is great.

Yeah, I actually think Changi airport is a destination itself. But then i am odd like that.

Another vote for the Botanic Gardens. And have a cocktail at Raffles.

[Newroad]

Hi SteveAM.

When I first went to Singapore, Change Alley was still full of Money Changers and Textile Shops, Sentosa still had the Japanese Surrender Wax Museum (and a little train IIRC) and the Lucky Plaza shopping centre was new.

It's been a few years now since I was there (not long before Covid). My thoughts ...

Chinatown (at night, when the stalls come out into the street)
Little India/Arab Quarter
The Singapore River/Boat Quay - the Raffles on one side (Singapore Slings etc) the Marina Bay Sands on the other (drinks at the pool on the top)
Sentosa, e.g. Universal Studios, for a Florida-like experience (not that I've actually been to Florida) ...
Ferry trip to Bintan and/or Batam
Any sensible Hawker's Market for food, e.g. Lau Pa Sat as has been suggested - try the Kway Teow, Laksa and the Malay Coffee
Changi Museum/Jurong Bird Park
etc

Of course, it may have changed more since my last visit, but that's the kind of stuff.

Regards, Newroad

[genou]

The Old Ford Factory is worth a look if you are historically minded, being where the British surrendered to the Japanese in WW2. It tells the events from the Singaporean perspective, which is revealing. The British were stupid b*stards, and the Japanese were vicious b*stards, is my take on the view expressed.

MacRitchie Reservoir Park is a decent walk. I think the Highland walkway mentioned is probably Kent Ridge Park.

A strangely interesting place is the Planning Department - scale model of the island, and a lot of material about how they got where they are, and what they plan to do next.

[Steveam]

Thank you all. Much appreciated.

We’re meeting friends who live in Singapore for one afternoon/evening so we do have a local contact but I’m very aware that they’re busy working and looking after family so we don’t want to be a drag on them.

A few definite plans are:
- Raffles (I was too busy on the last trip but my maternal grandparents spoke of it with pleasure)
- Sentosa and Universal Studios, I just wish I had a couple of kids to enjoy it more
- Gardens by the Bay
- Little India and Chinatown
- the botanical gardens
- Ferry/boat
- we’ll probably eat at the Hawker’s markets some of the time (purposely not booked the hotel breakfast as we like to get out and about for breakfast)

I’ll now be adding to the above in the light of your comments. I’ve reached a strange time in life when I’m beginning to be aware that some of these visits are likely to be the last - not because death is imminent but rather that there are many things both new and revisiting and that Singapore will probably not be top priority again.

[I’ve just remembered that I have an old photo of myself next to the Merlion].

Best wishes and thanks again.

Steve

[Oggy]

All good stuff. If I may add

- Raffles (I was too busy on the last trip but my maternal grandparents spoke of it with pleasure) Very much a tourist trap. Can get busy.
- Sentosa and Universal Studios, I just wish I had a couple of kids to enjoy it more I recall there is a fantastic aquarium there well worth a trip.
- Gardens by the Bay - There is/was a revolving restuarant in one of the "trees" Reasonably priced and the view is fantastic.
- Little India and Chinatown Yes- all good. I found the the glazed pork from the Hawker stands somewhat loo inducing....
- the botanical gardens - Really good. Orchid garden is terrific. Watch out for the big lizards casually wandering around - and yes they do own the place. Filipino maids day on Sundays so can get busy.
- Ferry/boat - No idea
- we’ll probably eat at the Hawker’s markets some of the time (purposely not booked the hotel breakfast as we like to get out and about for breakfast. All pretty good and dirt cheap. You must try the chilli crab but go easy....

[Tedx]

Mind and leave the chewing gum at home

[Oggy]

The chewing gum is a urban myth. If you do drugs though, then prepare for a very long time in uncomfortable surroundings. It also works as a deterrent...which is partly why the place is amongst the safest in the world.

[Tedx]

Oggy says bring as much gum as you like into Singapore!

[niord]

Don't forget to fill in the SG Arrival Card 72 hours before entry to Singapore, there is an app for your phone which makes it easier I find https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/

If you are taking medicine with you, it might be worthwhile checking the website below as some require permission https://www.hsa.gov.sg/personal-medicat ... quirements , The common medicines are usually ok

[Oggy]

Oggy says bring as much gum as you like into Singapore!

He clearly does not. It is illegal to import or sell the stuff, and you are allowed a small quantity for personal use. Just stick it in the bin when finished with. The arrival card is usually given out on the plane, but no harm done to fill it out beforehand.

[Dod101]

Oggy says bring as much gum as you like into Singapore!

He clearly does not. It is illegal to import or sell the stuff, and you are allowed a small quantity for personal use. Just stick it in the bin when finished with. The arrival card is usually given out on the plane, but no harm done to fill it out beforehand.

And then prepare for a long wait at immigration ( unless of course it has changed in the last three years)

Dod

[Oggy]

And then prepare for a long wait at immigration ( unless of course it has changed in the last three years

Admittedly I went 5 or 6 years ago total of 4 times. Card handed out on plane, duly completed. Immigration asked a few questions, that was it. No queues. 10/15 minutes. Baggage reclaim, then taxi and away within an hour of landing each time. All very efficient.

[TaurusTheBull]

Nature reserve around Macritchie Reservoir (seen Pangolins there).

Sungei Buloh wetlands (good for otters).

Jurong Bird Park.

Pulau Ubin.

The rest is a "green" urban nightmare.

Taurus

[Steveam]

We’ve just returned from Singapore to Bangkok. The trip went well. Not the best time of year as wet, hot and humid but manageable.

We flew Thai AirAsia from Don Muang to Changi which was painless. At Changi we had to fill in the electronic immigration form - easy to do but better to have done it before hand. From Changi it is easy to get on the excellent and extensive MRT. We stayed at IBIS Styles Singapore Albert which is near Little India and was clean and convenient to Rochor MRT.

Highlights:
- Botanical Gardens and Orchid collections. A real delight and not to be missed.
- Sentosa and the Universal Studios theme park. We had a ball but not everyone’s cup of tea.
- Hawker food courts. Food quality varied but many more options than I expected. Hainan Chicken and rice is a delight when well done. Lots of chicken, pork, noodle choices. Chilli crab was available but we had that in a restaurant with Singaporean friends. Sugar cane juice was (unsurprisingly) very sweet; sour plum was my favourite but most of the time we drank water.
- a meal with Singaporean friends in a restaurant they knew turned into something of a banquet (and, embarrassingly, their treat). Chilli crab was very good if you like that sort of thing, mussels in garlic, fried squid in salted egg batter (delicious) and salmon carbonara spaghetti all topped off with beer and lemon tea. Sounds horrendous but was great fun casual restaurant dining.
- Gardens by the Bay. The sound and light show was very good. We arrived early and nabbed somewhere to sit (we decided not to pay for entry) and later it became packed. What a show!
- Raffles Long Bar. Very long queue so we decided not to stay.
- Lots of walking and exploring especially Little India and Chinatown. Some fun photos with the Merlion and good view over the bay.

Some things seemed expensive (this is certainly not cheap Asia) but nothing out of the way if travelling from the U.K. The metro pass is very good value. We stayed 5 nights but 4 would have been enough.

Best wishes, Steve

[terminal7]

I have visited Singapore occasionally over some 45 years - primarily on business. I have not been there in some 10 years or so.

I would concur with the above comments and that 5 days in Singapore maybe excessive - thus I would add an extra stop to your itinerary. In a couple hours by public transport you can visit Johor Bahru in Malaysia. Malaysian culture is somewhat different to Singapore. I have to admit that I am no longer aware of the border requirements - so need to check. Also, you need to avoid weekends - there is quite a cross border flow of locals visiting JB. Being a bit more adventurous - an overnight stay in Malacca could be the highlight of your visit. Great train journey - though 6 hours.

T7