A sense of Singapore

 

There are plenty of incredible things to do in Singapore. It has an array of beautiful temples, tourist sites, shopping and parks. Singapore is a foodie’s dream of a melting pot for Indonesian, Bangladesh, Indian and northern Asian foods. The Singapore government actively promotes and encourages tourism, just like other destinations all around the world. What sets Singapore apart is the proactive role that their government takes in maintaining public order and control. These measures may be seen as draconian by some, however, they have a hugely beneficial affect on the overall tourist experience. As a tourist in Singapore, you should have a wonderful time, provided you are not there to compromise or challenge government rules, laws, or work illegally.

There are fines for all sorts of minor offences:-

• The importation and selling of chewing gum is strictly forbidden;

• It is illegal to damage public property with used gum;

• Vaping and possession of e-cigarettes are both illegal;

• Busking is illegal without a license.

If you objectively examine these examples and others, you will realise that they are in place purely to discourage unpleasant public behaviour. From a tourist perspective these are all laudable initiatives.

 

As an international hub, many people visit Singapore on a layover on their way to other destinations in Asia. Most people only stay for a few days, luckily, there are many things to do in Singapore.

Singapore is such an exciting, lively and vibrant city, that really lives up to the term: “East meets West”. It is a great mix of both Western and Eastern culture, food, shopping and architecture. It is a city that has “everything”. On any given day, you can head to a fishing village less than an hour from downtown, lie on a beach and go on a shopping bonanza in one of the many flashy shopping malls or back-alley markets. After a busy day, you can wind down at one of the city’s multitude of Michelin restaurants.

 

 

 

Our observations and tips from a trip to Singapore.

• With alcohol and cigarettes being very expensive……if you are a smoker be warned.

• More than 80 percent of Singaporeans live in leased public housing known as HDB estates. Under local laws, renters are not permitted to sub-let or rent out their properties to tourists. Rental is only permitted to visitors holding student passes or long-term social visit passes.

• Many places in Singapore offer free WiFi. Attractive as this seems, the strength of such free services is typically unreliable, particularly in crowded areas like Changi Airport and fast-food restaurants. If this is an issue for you, head to the nearest 7/11 convenience store and pick up a tourist SIM card instead, these are remarkably affordable.

• Taxis are relatively expensive. So if you are on a budget, stick to the MTR and other public transport.

• It has a population over 5m and it is made up of one main island and 63 satellites and islets. Land reclamation is ongoing, so it is increasing in size all the time.

• Singapore is situated 1.7 degrees north of the Equator resulting in tropical heat and extremely high humidity. An extra set of clothes in your back-pack is usually a good idea. If you’re new to tropical weather, take things slowly initially until you acclimatise.

• T-shirts, flip-flops, and shorts are generally fine to wear, unless you are visiting an institution of worship.

• Singapore has a strict arrivals duty-free regime, particularly on tobacco and drink. You will be taxed regardless of the country of origin.

• The MRT subway system is reliable and reasonably priced with convenient bus connections beside all the stations. Get a Pass for the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit). Buy an EZ link Tourist pass for as many days as you want to get unlimited access to the transportation system in Singapore. You can get the pass at any ticket office at any MRT station. You can also get refunded for the cost of the pass by returning it to any ticket office before you leave Singapore. There is also a MRT station office at Changi Airport but make sure you return the pass before going through passport control or security.

• Despite outside temperatures, the aircon in shops is really cold so bring a light jacket.

• Singapore gets all four seasons. Summers are really hot with high humidity and it gets fairly cold during the winter months (December to February). The best time to visit Singapore is from March to early June, and September to November.

• There is an aggressive national campaign to go cashless in Singapore, however, you will still need some small cash for stalls, residential neighbourhood shops, and coffee shops. ATMs are readily available everywhere.

• Singapore city-state has long been one of the safest countries in the world for tourists.

• Shops open later in the morning and stay open later into the evening.

• Singaporean restaurants and cafes charge a 10 percent service fee on top of the usual consumption tax. Because of this, tipping is generally considered unnecessary.

• In Singapore, tap water is perfectly safe to drink. There is absolutely no need to buy bottled water when there, unless you need the bottle. Singaporeans would balk at the notion of drinking straight from the tap, they look upon that as disgusting.

• Consumption of alcohol is banned in all public places from 10.30pm to 7am. Therefore you can only drink at licensed establishments during these affected times.

• Buy and carry tissues with you as they are not routinely given out in stalls and fast food locations.

• There is a light-up festival somewhere in Singapore every month. What’s great about these light-ups is that they are never just about elaborate street decorations. Festive areas frequently have bazaars and free street performances, with some bazaars covering entire streets.

• Parks are well-maintained and safe after dark, the larger ones also contain facilities like restaurants, pubs, fishing ponds, and sports venues.

• If you have the time during your trip, a day trip to Malaysia or Indonesia is well worth it or even take an overnight trip to Malacca or Kuala Lumpur.

• Finally, Singapore is an all year around destination, however, it has a bad “haze” travel season. It occurs when the city-state is smothered by smog caused by nearby Sumatran forest fires. It can be arguably worse than typical air pollution, as a burning stench permeates everywhere. If your Singapore trip is scheduled for the second half of the year, be sure to check whether there are any forecasted haze days. Other than health concerns, the haze significantly obscures vision. Visits to famous panoramic spots could be rendered entirely pointless.

 

 

The Marina Bay area, Gardens by the Bay, Universal Studios Singapore, The Botanical Gardens, Chinatown…these are but a few of the typical “Top 10” places to visit in Singapore

 

 

Universal Studios Singapore (Sentosa Island)

Sentosa is an island resort full of attractions, museums, food courts, Michelin star restaurants, parks, beaches, golf courses, hotels, spas, skywalks, Universal Studios, nature walks, shows and the biggest aquarium in the world.

You can get to Sentosa three ways: walking, taking the Sentosa Express or taking the Cable Car. You can get in for free if you walk. Just use the MRT (metro line) to get to HarbourFront Station, enter the VivoCity Shopping Mall and look for the Sentosa Boardwalk. It’s about a 10 minute leisurely walk to Sentosa from there. The boardwalk is covered so you don’t have to worry about sweating under the sun.

 

 

Chinatown & Little India

Walk around Chinatown and admire the beautiful and colourful small houses among all the big skyscrapers. Watch the locals play Chinese chess, and grab some Chinese food.

Walk around Little India, and soak in all the smells of spices, food, and flowers, as well as the noise and Indian atmosphere. Step into one of the many Indian temples and shrines, and grab some Indian food or do some shopping. The main shopping centres in Little India are Mustafa Centre and Tekka Centre.

 

The Botanical Gardens

If you need a break from the busy and noisy city, head over to the Botanic Garden. It is a beautiful and calm oasis of green and lush nature, where the best part is the Orchid Garden. There are five gardens, a library, a gallery, a museum and the Orchid garden. All have free entry with the exception of the National Orchid Garden.

 

 

The Singapore Flyer (ala London Eye)

The Singapore Flyer is Asia’s largest observation wheel. Getting spectacular views of Singapore. To get there, take a Circle Line MRT train to Promenade Station and take Exit A out of the station.

 

 

Gardens by the Bay

A favourite Singapore attraction. You should go early in the morning and you will likely have much of the grounds to yourself. Head to the famous Supertree Grove and feel like you’ve just teleported into a set from Avatar. There are two big bio-domes, “Cloud Forest” and “Flower Dome”, containing an exotic range of flora and fauna from all over the world.

Visit the Cloud Forest, a giant greenhouse with a soaring waterfall and floating tree-top walkways. Watch the nightly Light Show at the Supertree Grove. The trees light up to the sound of music, its visually stunning.

Apart from its beautiful flower display that changes throughout the year, the Flower Dome is in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the biggest glass greenhouse in the world.

 

Hawker Centre (Food Court)

One of the most distinctive eating experiences in Singapore is to visit a hawker centre. These are basically food halls filled with individual stalls. Each stall generally serves one type of dish that they have perfected over the years. You can find all the famous Singaporean dishes. You will find Hawker Centres all over the city.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Singapore wanted to get rid of the unlicensed street hawkers (street food vendors) that were selling potentially unsanitary food to the public. The result was hawker food centres. Now, they are governed and regulated by three government bodies to maintain hygiene standards. There are even two hawker stalls that have been awarded Michelin stars.

 

The Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and River Safari

The Singapore Zoo is divided in two; The Singapore Zoo and the River Safari, but are located just next to each other with only a 1-minute walk apart. The Singapore Zoo is also open in the evening, 7:30 pm till midnight every day, and is then called Night Safari. Singapore Zoo is set in a rainforest environment, and it is regarded as one of the world’s best zoos and well worth a visit!

 

Go shopping

Singapore is a great shopping city. It is not a cheap city though, so dig deep and find your credit cards. The city has an endless number of gigantic shopping malls. The main shopping area is along Orchard street where the shopping malls seem to form an endless string on both sides of the road. Here you will find just about any fashion brand imaginable. There is also quite a few electronics and camera stores along here. If you want to do some hardcore electronics and computer shopping then head for Sim Lim square close to Little India.

 

 

Just walk around and soak up the sights

Just wander around the streets of Singapore and experience the atmosphere and the sights of every day life. Take in all the smells and noise of this bustling city.

Look up towards the sky when walking around the busy streets of Singapore, and look at all the spectacular sky scrapers. There are over 5 million people living on Singapore, in a fairly small area, making it one of the world’s most diverse and densely populated areas.

 

 

Marina Bay Sands & Merlion Park

Probably the most recognisable building in Singapore, is a luxury hotel with a Feng Shui abiding triple tower structure joined at the top with a deck that is equipped with a SkyPark, cafés, bars, restaurants and an infinity pool. The top deck riding over the three towers is longer than the Eiffel Tower. If you have the budget for it, staying here is your only option for visiting the pool. But even if you’re not, the complex is still worth a visit. There are lots of shops at Marina Bay Sands, a great place to window shop and have an air-conditioned break from the heat of Singapore. You can also grab a drink at the Skybar on the 57th floor. It has viewing area with sweeping views of Singapore.

The hotel also contains theatres doing shows every evening, casino, shops, museums. Its shopping mall is so vast that it has its own canal where you can go on a gondola ride!

 

 

Singapore is known as the Lion City. The Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore. The statue is located at Merlion Park and is a popular attraction. From the park you get a great view of the Singapore skyline and Marina Bay Sands. It’s especially stunning at night when all the lights turn on during the 8:00pm and 9:30pm fifteen minute long, water fountain shows.

 

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is located only 30 minutes walk from the Marina Bay Sands, along the Singapore River and one of the best places for a night out in the city. It is lined with bars and restaurants with patios right along the river. The atmosphere is always lively and there are endless options for dining and entertainment. It is a great place to people watch over a coffee or a beer.

 

 

Visit Some Temples 

There are many temples scattered throughout Singapore, dedicated to the many Buddhist and Hindu gods, that you can visit. Take off your shoes and step inside the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, where Hindus come to pray to the many pastel-coloured gods that adorn the temple. If you are dressed inappropriately (as in wearing shorts or skirts above the knees), it’s possible to borrow some coloured linen to cover yourself up. After having inhaled incense in abundance, pay a visit to one of the many good Indian restaurants and order a curry with rice, roti prata and a mango lassi.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is located just opposite the Chinatown Complex. Thousands of small Buddhas line the walls in the atmospheric red rooms quietly observing the Buddhists light candles and pray. It is free to visit (but remember to dress appropriately).

 

 

 

National Museum of Singapore 

The city has an impressive amount of options if you’re interested in antiques, modern art or natural history. One of the most popular museums is the ArtScience Museum, located right next to the Marina Bay Sands shopping centre. In the permanent exhibition Future World: Where Art Meets Science, visitors can experience interactive art installations (including one of Singapore’s most sought-after Instagram spots). The lotus-shaped museum collects rainwater for an indoor fountain and the toilet facilities. 

At the National Gallery Singapore, you can get your fill of modern Asian art. With more than 8,000 objects from the national collection, the museum holds one of the world’s largest collections of contemporary South Asian art. You will find a large selection of objects and exhibits that tell the exciting story of Singapore. The exhibitions are linked together by topics such as film, photography, fashion and food along with interactive videos.