The Singaporean currency is the Singapore dollar, abbreviated SGD, S$ or just $ (as used throughout this guide). One dollar is divided into 100 cents. There are coins of $0.05 (gold), $0.10 (silver), $0.20 (silver), $0.50 (silver) and $1 (gold), plus bills of $2 (purple), $5 (green), $10 (red), $50 (blue), $100 (orange), $1000 (purple) and $10000 (gold). The Brunei dollar is at par with the Singapore dollar and the two currencies can be used interchangeably in both countries, so don't be too surprised if you get a Brunei note as change. As of June 2006, one Euro is worth about $2.00 and one US dollar is worth about $1.60.
Restaurants often display prices like $19.99++, which means that service (10%) and sales tax (5%) are not included and will be added to your bill. Hotels and fancy restaurants may note rates as +++, where the third plus denotes 1% CESS (essentially a tourism tax), for a total surcharge of 16.55%.
Tipping is generally uncommon in Singapore, although bellhops still expect $2 or so per bag. Taxis will usually return your change to the last cent, or round in your favor if they can't be bothered to dig for change.
ATMs are ubiquitous in Singapore and credit cards are widely accepted (although shops often levy a 3% surcharge, and taxis a whopping 15%). Currency exchange booths can be found in at the airport as well as in every shopping mall and usually offer better rates, better opening hours and much faster service than banks. The huge 24-hour operation at Mustafa in Little India accepts almost any currency at what are probably the best rates in town. Travelers checks are generally not accepted by retailers, but can be cashed at most exchange booths.
Costs
Singapore is expensive by Asian standards but cheap for visitors from most industrialized countries: $50 is a perfectly serviceable daily backpacker budget. Food in particular is a steal, with excellent hawker food available for less than $5 per generous serving. Accommodation is a little pricier, but a bed in a hostel can cost less than $20 and the most luxurious hotels on the island (except maybe the Raffles) can be yours for $200 with the right discounts.
Shopping
Shopping is second only to eating as a national pastime, which means that Singapore has an abundance of shopping malls, and low taxes and tariffs on imports coupled with huge volume mean that prices are usually very competitive. Most stores are open 7 days a week from 10 AM until 9 PM, although smaller operations (particularly those outside shopping malls) close earlier — 7 PM is common — and perhaps on Sundays as well. Keep an eye out for the Great Singapore Sale [42], usually held in June-July, when shopping centres pull out all stops to attract punters.
Antiques: The second floor of the Tanglin Shopping Centre on Orchard and the shops on South Bridge Rd in Chinatown are good options if looking for the real thing (or high-quality reproductions).
Books: Borders at Wheelock Place and Kinokuniya at Ngee Ann City, both on Orchard, are the largest bookstores in Singapore.
Cameras: Peninsula Plaza near City Hall has Singapore's best selection of camera shops.
Computers: Sim Lim Square (near Little India), for the hardcore geek (and slightly cheaper prices), and Funan IT (Riverside), for lesser mortals.
Electronics: Very competitively priced in Singapore. Funan IT (Orchard) and Mustafa (Little India) are good choices. Avoid the tourist-oriented shops on Orchard Road, particularly the notorious Lucky Plaza, or risk getting ripped off. For any purchases, remember that Singapore uses 220V voltage with a British-style three-pin plug.
Ethnic knick-knacks: Chinatown has Singapore's heaviest concentration of glow-in-the-dark Merlion soap dispenders and ethnic gewgaws, mostly but not entirely Chinese and nearly all imported from somewhere else.
Fabrics: Arab Street and Little India have a good selection of local fabrics like batik.
Fakes: Unlike most South-East Asian countries, pirated goods are not openly on sale and importing them to the city-state carries heavy fines. Fake goods are nevertheless not difficult to find in Little India or even in the underpasses of Orchard Road.
Food: Jason's Marketplace in the basement of Raffles City (Orchard) is perhaps Singapore's best-stocked gourmet supermarket with a vast array of imported products, but Takashimaya's basement (Orchard) has lots of small quirky shops and makes for a more interesting browse. For a more Singaporean (and much cheaper) shopping experience, seek out any neighborhood wet market, like Little India's Tekka Market.
Hi-fi stereos: The Adelphi (Riverside) has Singapore's best selection of audiophile shops.
High-street fashion: Ngee Ann City (Takashimaya) and Paragon on Orchard.
Music: The three-story HMV in the Heeren on Orchard is Singapore's largest music store.
Scuba gear: The Concourse shopping mall in Bugis has a good selection of dive shops in the basement.
Sports goods: Queensway Shopping Centre, off Alexandra Rd and rather off the beaten track (take a cab), seems to consist of nothing but sports goods shops. You can also find foreigner-sized sporty clothing and shoes here.
Tea: Chinatown has plenty of tea shops, and there are some high-end stores for both Japanese and Chinese varieties in Takashimaya's basement, but Time for Tea in Lucky Plaza (Orchard) may have the best prices.
Youth fashion: Most of Bugis is dedicated to the young, hip and cost-conscious. Some spots of Orchard, notably the top floor of the Heeren, also target the same market but prices are generally higher.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Singapore - Do
While you can find a place to practice nearly any sport in Singapore — golfing, surfing, scuba diving, even ice skating — due to the country's small size your options are rather limited and prices are relatively high. For watersports in particular, the busy shipping lanes and sheer population pressure mean that the sea around Singapore is murky, and most locals head up to Tioman (Malaysia) or Bintan (Indonesia) instead. See also Habitatnews [39] and WildSingapore [40] for news and updates about free tours and events.
Singapore has recently been experiencing a spa boom, and there is now plenty of choice for everything from holistic Ayurveda to green tea hydrotherapy. However, prices aren't as rock-bottom as in neighbors Indonesia and Thailand, and you'll generally be looking at upwards of $70 even for a plain one-hour massage. Good spas can be found in most five-star hotels and on Orchard, and Sentosa's Spa Botanica also has a good reputation. Any establishments marked "health centre", on the other hand, are best avoided.
On the cultural side of things, Singapore has been trying loosen up and attract more artists and performances. The star in Singapore's cultural sky is the Esplanade theatre by the Riverside, a world-class facility for performing arts like classical music. Pop culture options are more limited and Singapore's home-grown arts scene remains rather moribund, but any bands and DJs touring Asia are pretty much guaranteed to perform in Singapore. Advance tickets for almost any cultural event can be purchased from SISTIC [41], either online or from any of their numerous ticketing outlets, including the Singapore Visitor Centre on Orchard Rd.
Singapore has recently been experiencing a spa boom, and there is now plenty of choice for everything from holistic Ayurveda to green tea hydrotherapy. However, prices aren't as rock-bottom as in neighbors Indonesia and Thailand, and you'll generally be looking at upwards of $70 even for a plain one-hour massage. Good spas can be found in most five-star hotels and on Orchard, and Sentosa's Spa Botanica also has a good reputation. Any establishments marked "health centre", on the other hand, are best avoided.
On the cultural side of things, Singapore has been trying loosen up and attract more artists and performances. The star in Singapore's cultural sky is the Esplanade theatre by the Riverside, a world-class facility for performing arts like classical music. Pop culture options are more limited and Singapore's home-grown arts scene remains rather moribund, but any bands and DJs touring Asia are pretty much guaranteed to perform in Singapore. Advance tickets for almost any cultural event can be purchased from SISTIC [41], either online or from any of their numerous ticketing outlets, including the Singapore Visitor Centre on Orchard Rd.
Singapore - See
Sights in Singapore are covered in more detail under the various districts.
Broadly speaking:
Skyscrapers and shopping: The heaviest shopping mall concentration is in Orchard Road, while skyscrapers are clustered around the Singapore River, but also check out Bugis to see where Singaporeans shop.
Culture and cuisine: See Chinatown for Chinese treats, Little India for Indian flavors and East Coast for delicious seafood and its famous chilli crabs and black pepper crabs.
Nature and wildlife: The Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park and Botanic Gardens are all in the North and West section.
Beaches and tourist traps: Head to one of the three beaches on Sentosa. Other beaches include the East Coast and the Southern Islands (boat service from World Trade Centre).
[edit]
Itineraries
Three days in Singapore — a three-day sampler set of food, culture and shopping in Singapore, easily divisible into bite-size chunks
iGuide walking tour — a freely downloadable mp3 tour of Singapore's colonial centre, brings you around the cradle of the modern Singapore city-state
Broadly speaking:
Skyscrapers and shopping: The heaviest shopping mall concentration is in Orchard Road, while skyscrapers are clustered around the Singapore River, but also check out Bugis to see where Singaporeans shop.
Culture and cuisine: See Chinatown for Chinese treats, Little India for Indian flavors and East Coast for delicious seafood and its famous chilli crabs and black pepper crabs.
Nature and wildlife: The Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park and Botanic Gardens are all in the North and West section.
Beaches and tourist traps: Head to one of the three beaches on Sentosa. Other beaches include the East Coast and the Southern Islands (boat service from World Trade Centre).
[edit]
Itineraries
Three days in Singapore — a three-day sampler set of food, culture and shopping in Singapore, easily divisible into bite-size chunks
iGuide walking tour — a freely downloadable mp3 tour of Singapore's colonial centre, brings you around the cradle of the modern Singapore city-state
Singapore - Who are the people in your neighborhood?
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
The Big 3 — Chinese, Malays and Indians — get all the press, but there are plenty of other communities with their own little neighborhoods (or shopping malls) in Singapore:
Arabs: Arab Street, of course
Burmese: Peninsula Plaza, on North Bridge Rd
Filipinos: Lucky Plaza, on Orchard Rd
Japanese: Robertson Quay, especially the Liang Court shopping mall
Koreans: Tanjong Pagar Rd
Thais: Golden Mile Complex, on Beach Rd
The Big 3 — Chinese, Malays and Indians — get all the press, but there are plenty of other communities with their own little neighborhoods (or shopping malls) in Singapore:
Arabs: Arab Street, of course
Burmese: Peninsula Plaza, on North Bridge Rd
Filipinos: Lucky Plaza, on Orchard Rd
Japanese: Robertson Quay, especially the Liang Court shopping mall
Koreans: Tanjong Pagar Rd
Thais: Golden Mile Complex, on Beach Rd
Singapore - Talk
Malay may be enshrined in the Constitution as the 'national' language, but in practice the most common language is English, spoken by almost every Singaporean under the age of 40. However, the distinctive local patois Singlish may be hard to understand at times, as it incorporates slang words and phrases from other languages, including various Chinese dialects, Malay and Tamil. It also incorporates slang from British and American English, and has a queer way of structuring sentences, due to the original speakers being mostly Chinese. Complex consonant clusters are simplified, plurals disappear, verb tenses are replaced by adverbs, questions are altered to fit the Chinese syntax and semirandom particles (especially the infamous "lah") appear:
Singlish: You wan beer or not? -- No lah, drink five botol oreddi.
English: Do you want a beer? -- No, thanks; I've already drunk five bottles.
Thanks to nationwide indoctrination campaigns, most younger Singaporeans are, however, capable of speaking so-called "Good English" when necessary. The other official languages are Mandarin Chinese and Tamil. Various Chinese dialects (especially Hokkien) and other Indian languages are also spoken.
Generally, it is fairly easy to decipher what people are saying when Singlish is used, though the using of local dialects (e.g. Hokkien) and languages (e.g. Malay) may make it harder for comprehension. In fact, when in Singapore, learning to speak in Singlish is rather useful as it provides a bridge between you and the locals who are not very fluent in English. Speaking in Singlish also eases the tensions in some of the more conservative Singaporeans who are intimidated when a foreigner approaches them for help.
Singlish: You wan beer or not? -- No lah, drink five botol oreddi.
English: Do you want a beer? -- No, thanks; I've already drunk five bottles.
Thanks to nationwide indoctrination campaigns, most younger Singaporeans are, however, capable of speaking so-called "Good English" when necessary. The other official languages are Mandarin Chinese and Tamil. Various Chinese dialects (especially Hokkien) and other Indian languages are also spoken.
Generally, it is fairly easy to decipher what people are saying when Singlish is used, though the using of local dialects (e.g. Hokkien) and languages (e.g. Malay) may make it harder for comprehension. In fact, when in Singapore, learning to speak in Singlish is rather useful as it provides a bridge between you and the locals who are not very fluent in English. Speaking in Singlish also eases the tensions in some of the more conservative Singaporeans who are intimidated when a foreigner approaches them for help.
Singapore - Get around
Getting around Singapore is effortless: the public transportation system is among the best in the world and taxis are cheap. Very few visitors rent cars.
If you are staying in Singapore for some time, a farecard called ez-link might be a worthwhile purchase. You can store value on it and use it to enter and exit the MRT and buses at a 15% discount. As of December 2004, the card costs S$15, including S$7 of stored value and a S$3 refundable deposit, and the card can be "topped up" in increments of at least S$10 (at the farecard vending machines). Alternatively, the Visitors Card also includes ez-link card functionality and a variety of discounts for attractions; prices start at S$45 for 3 days.
By mass transit
The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) form Singapore's transit system. They are a cheap and very reliable mode of transportation. Buy single trip tickets at the station either at quite user-friendly automatic machines or from the cashier; single trip tickets cost from S$0.80 to S$2.00, plus a S$1.00 refundable deposit. All lines are integrated, so you do not need to buy a new ticket to transfer.
By bus
Buses connect various corners of Singapore. SBS Transit [37], Singapore's largest bus company, has a useful bus route finder on their front page, but it does not show services run by competitor SMRT [38], which has its own search system. You can use your ez-link card for payment on all buses. You can pay cash (coins) in buses, but the fare stage system is quite complex (it's easiest to ask the driver for the price to your destination), you are charged marginally more and there is no provision for getting change.
Payment with the ez-link card is the easiest method. The systems works like this: the user taps his card against the reader at the front entrance of the bus when boarding, and a maximum fare is deducted from the card. When the user alights, he should tap his card again at the exit, and the difference is refunded. Inspectors occasionally prowl buses to check that everybody has paid.
By taxi
Taxicabs here use meters and are reasonably priced and honest. You will not spend more than $5.00 to $8.00 Singapore dollars for a trip within the Central Business District.
Taxis charge S$2.50 flagfall, and this lasts you 1 km before increments of 10 cents per 200 m. Watch out for surprises though: there is a myriad of peak hour, holiday, road pricing and surcharges, although most add only a dollar or two to your fare, and these are all clearly shown on the meter. After midnight a 50% surcharge applies. During rush hour in the CBD, or late at night on the weekends, it's wise to call for a taxi. Telephone numbers for the largest taxi companies are Comfort at 6552-1111, SBS Transit at 6555-8888, City Cab at 6552-2222, Smart at 6485-7700 and Trans cab at 6553-3333.
By trishaw
Trishaws, three-wheeled bicycle taxis, haunt the area around the Singapore River and Chinatown. Geared purely for tourists, they aren't really recommended for serious travel and locals do not use them. There is little room for bargaining: short rides will cost S$10-20 and an hour's sightseeing charter about S$50 per person.
By boat
Tourist-oriented bumboats cruise the Singapore River, offering nice views of the CBD skyscraper skyline. You can also take a ferry to Singapore's largely uninhabited Southern Islands for a picnic and lagoon swimming.
There is also a boat shuttle passengers from Changi Village to Pulau Ubin, a small island off Singapore's northeast coast which is about as close as Singapore gets to unhurried rural living. One can rent bikes to cycle around the island which has a number of disused granite quarries.
By car
Car rental is not a popular option in Singapore. You will usually be looking at upwards for S$100 per day for the smallest vehicle, not including gas at around S$1.50/litre or electronic road pricing (ERP) fees, and you'll usually need to pay extra to drive to Malaysia. If planning on touring Malaysia by car, it makes more sense to head across the border to Johor Bahru, where both rentals and petrol are half price, and you have the option of dropping your car off elsewhere in the country. Take note that if you do intend to rent a car, be sure to drive on the left side of the road (Singapore follows the UK road system), and reading up a bit on road regulations helps too.
On foot
Singapore is almost certainly the most pedestrian-friendly city in southeast Asia. Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are in good shape and plentiful, roads are well signposted and drivers are usually very careful — by law, any accident between a pedestrian and a vehicle is presumed to be the driver's fault! Classic walks in Singapore include walking down the river from the Merlion through the Quays, or just pottering around Chinatown, Little India or Bugis.
The one unavoidable downside, though, is the tropical heat and humidity, which leaves many visitors sweaty and exhausted, bringing along a packet of tissue or a hankerchief is recommended. Having a bottle of water with you also helps. It's best to get an early start, pop into air-conditioned shops, cafes, and museums to cool off, and plan on heading back to the shopping mall or hotel pool before noon. Alternatively, after sundown evenings can also be comparatively cool and breezy, especially down by the river.
If you are staying in Singapore for some time, a farecard called ez-link might be a worthwhile purchase. You can store value on it and use it to enter and exit the MRT and buses at a 15% discount. As of December 2004, the card costs S$15, including S$7 of stored value and a S$3 refundable deposit, and the card can be "topped up" in increments of at least S$10 (at the farecard vending machines). Alternatively, the Visitors Card also includes ez-link card functionality and a variety of discounts for attractions; prices start at S$45 for 3 days.
By mass transit
The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) form Singapore's transit system. They are a cheap and very reliable mode of transportation. Buy single trip tickets at the station either at quite user-friendly automatic machines or from the cashier; single trip tickets cost from S$0.80 to S$2.00, plus a S$1.00 refundable deposit. All lines are integrated, so you do not need to buy a new ticket to transfer.
By bus
Buses connect various corners of Singapore. SBS Transit [37], Singapore's largest bus company, has a useful bus route finder on their front page, but it does not show services run by competitor SMRT [38], which has its own search system. You can use your ez-link card for payment on all buses. You can pay cash (coins) in buses, but the fare stage system is quite complex (it's easiest to ask the driver for the price to your destination), you are charged marginally more and there is no provision for getting change.
Payment with the ez-link card is the easiest method. The systems works like this: the user taps his card against the reader at the front entrance of the bus when boarding, and a maximum fare is deducted from the card. When the user alights, he should tap his card again at the exit, and the difference is refunded. Inspectors occasionally prowl buses to check that everybody has paid.
By taxi
Taxicabs here use meters and are reasonably priced and honest. You will not spend more than $5.00 to $8.00 Singapore dollars for a trip within the Central Business District.
Taxis charge S$2.50 flagfall, and this lasts you 1 km before increments of 10 cents per 200 m. Watch out for surprises though: there is a myriad of peak hour, holiday, road pricing and surcharges, although most add only a dollar or two to your fare, and these are all clearly shown on the meter. After midnight a 50% surcharge applies. During rush hour in the CBD, or late at night on the weekends, it's wise to call for a taxi. Telephone numbers for the largest taxi companies are Comfort at 6552-1111, SBS Transit at 6555-8888, City Cab at 6552-2222, Smart at 6485-7700 and Trans cab at 6553-3333.
By trishaw
Trishaws, three-wheeled bicycle taxis, haunt the area around the Singapore River and Chinatown. Geared purely for tourists, they aren't really recommended for serious travel and locals do not use them. There is little room for bargaining: short rides will cost S$10-20 and an hour's sightseeing charter about S$50 per person.
By boat
Tourist-oriented bumboats cruise the Singapore River, offering nice views of the CBD skyscraper skyline. You can also take a ferry to Singapore's largely uninhabited Southern Islands for a picnic and lagoon swimming.
There is also a boat shuttle passengers from Changi Village to Pulau Ubin, a small island off Singapore's northeast coast which is about as close as Singapore gets to unhurried rural living. One can rent bikes to cycle around the island which has a number of disused granite quarries.
By car
Car rental is not a popular option in Singapore. You will usually be looking at upwards for S$100 per day for the smallest vehicle, not including gas at around S$1.50/litre or electronic road pricing (ERP) fees, and you'll usually need to pay extra to drive to Malaysia. If planning on touring Malaysia by car, it makes more sense to head across the border to Johor Bahru, where both rentals and petrol are half price, and you have the option of dropping your car off elsewhere in the country. Take note that if you do intend to rent a car, be sure to drive on the left side of the road (Singapore follows the UK road system), and reading up a bit on road regulations helps too.
On foot
Singapore is almost certainly the most pedestrian-friendly city in southeast Asia. Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are in good shape and plentiful, roads are well signposted and drivers are usually very careful — by law, any accident between a pedestrian and a vehicle is presumed to be the driver's fault! Classic walks in Singapore include walking down the river from the Merlion through the Quays, or just pottering around Chinatown, Little India or Bugis.
The one unavoidable downside, though, is the tropical heat and humidity, which leaves many visitors sweaty and exhausted, bringing along a packet of tissue or a hankerchief is recommended. Having a bottle of water with you also helps. It's best to get an early start, pop into air-conditioned shops, cafes, and museums to cool off, and plan on heading back to the shopping mall or hotel pool before noon. Alternatively, after sundown evenings can also be comparatively cool and breezy, especially down by the river.
Singapore - Get in
The majority of nationalities can enter Singapore without a visa. Refer to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority for current guidelines, including a list of the 30+ nationalities that are required to obtain a visa in advance. Entry permit duration (in most cases either 14 or 30 days) depends on nationality and entry point.
Singapore has very strict drug laws, and drug trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty — which is also applied to foreigners. As always, travellers should take care with their baggage and secure it appropriately. The paranoid might also like to note that in Singapore, it is an offense even to have any drug metabolites in your system, even if they were consumed outside Singapore.
Duty free allowances for alcohol are 1L of spirits, 1L of wine and 1L of beer per person. Note that cigarettes cannot be brought in duty free. One opened packet is acceptable, but anything more will be taxed. Foreigners can opt to pay the tax or let the customs officers keep the cigarettes until the next departure; locals get to choose between paying or witnessing the cigarettes being destroyed.
By plane
Singapore is one of southeast Asia's largest aviation hubs, so unless you're coming from Peninsular Malaysia or Batam/Bintan in Indonesia, the easiest way to enter Singapore is by air. In addition to flagship carrier Singapore Airlines and its regional subsidiary SilkAir, Singapore is also home to Tiger Airways, and Jetstar Asia, which recently took over Valuair.
Changi Airport
As befits the country's main airport and major regional hub status, Changi Airport (SIN) is big, nice, and well organized, and immigration and baggage distribution is remarkably fast. There are currently three terminals: Singapore Airlines and most Star Alliance partners operate from Terminal 2 (T2), whereas most other airlines use Terminal 1 (T1). The two are connected by a free "Skytrain" shuttle service, or you can just walk directly across. A new Budget Terminal opened in March 2006 currently handles only Tiger Airways flights and is connected to T2 by free shuttle bus.
If you have over five hours to spare there are free city tours six times a day. Check in at the Singapore Visitor Centre in either terminal. Even if stuck in the airport there are plenty of ways to kill time, including a movie theater (T2) and a swimming pool and jacuzzi (T1). Internet access is provided free of charge, both wirelessly and via some 200 terminals, there are some X-Boxes set up to keep gamers entertained, and there's live lounge music at times. Food options are varied and generally reasonably priced, with some choice picks including the Peranakan-themed Soup Restaurant (T2 landside) and Sakae Sushi (T2 airside). The free fortnightly Changi Express paper "contains news and information on events and happenings around Asia Pacific, in Singapore, and at Changi Airport".
Both terminals T1 and T2 have airside (i.e., accessible without passing through immigration) transit hotels on their third floors - tel. +65-6541-9106 or book online via the Ambassador Transit Hotel website. A six-hour "block" for a single/double/triple costs S$57.75/64.70/86.65, budget singles (shared bathroom) S$40.45, extensions S$13.90 per hour. You can rent a shower (without a room) to freshen up for S$8.40. The Plaza Premier Lounges in both terminals also offer a basic but functional gym with shower for S$8.40 with a Singapore Airlines boarding pass.
From the airport there are a number of ways to get into the city:
Taxi (cab) is easiest - simply follow the signs after clearing customs. Meters are always used in Singapore and prices are reasonable. A trip to the city will be between S$20.00 and S$30.00 (including S$3-5 airport surcharge, but excluding the midnight to 06:00 +50% surcharge if applicable).
Shuttle - six-seater MaxiCab shuttle service to designated areas/hotels costs S$7.00 and can be booked in advance or in the arrivals hall. 06:00 to 02:00, every 15 to 30 minutes.
Subway - MRT trains run from T2, although you must cross the platform to a city-bound train at Tanah Merah. The 30-minute ride to City Hall station costs S$1.40 (plus a refundable $1 deposit for a single-trip ticket). 05:31-23:18 (except Sundays & public holidays - 05:59-23.18) only. Unfortunately for the picky traveller, the stations downtown (e.g., Orchard, City Hall) that are nearest to the more popular and upscale hotels are the last to be upgraded for internal lifts, but if you're travelling by MRT the escalators really oughtn't be a problem.
Bus - bus terminals can be found in the basements of both T1 and T2. 06:00 to midnight only. Fares are sub-S$2.00, exact fare required (no change given).
Seletar Airport
Berjaya Air flights to the Malaysian islands of Redang and Tioman use Seletar (XSP), not Changi (SIN). The only practical means of access to Seletar is taxi; trips from the airport incur a S$3 surcharge.
By bus
Direct to/from Malaysian destinations
Another way in is by road from or via Johor Bahru in Malaysia. There are buses from Kuala Lumpur (KL) and many other destinations in Malaysia through the Woodlands Checkpoint and the Second Link at Tuas. Major operators include:
Aeroline, tel. +603-62588800 (Malaysia). Luxury buses with meal on-board, power sockets, lounge area etc, to KL and Petaling Jaya from S$47 one-way. Departures from Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Havelock Rd.
NiCE, tel. +65-62565755. Executive express buses to KL. Normal NiCE buses RM60, extra-roomy double-decker NiCE 2 buses S$47. Departures from Copthorne Orchid Hotel, Havelock Rd.
Transnasional, tel. +602-62947034 (Malaysia). Malaysia's largest bus operator, offers direct buses from Singapore through the peninsula. Executive/economy buses RM60/26 to KL. Departures from Lavender St.
Transtar, tel. +65-62999009. Transtar's 16-seater First Class coaches are currently the best around with frills like massaging chairs, onboard attendants and video on demand, but they also cost the most at S$60 one-way to KL. More plebeian SuperVIP/Executive buses are S$25/39, direct service to Malacca and Genting also available. Departures from Golden Mile Complex, Beach Rd (near Bugis MRT).
Other operators include:
Gunung Raya, tel. +65-62947711,
Hasry Express, tel. +65-62949306,
Konsortium Express, tel. +65-63923911,
In general, the more you pay, the faster your trip. More expensive buses leave on time, use the Second Link, and don't stop along the way; while the cheapest buses leave late if at all, use the perpetually jammed Causeway and make more stops. Book early for popular departure times like Friday and Sunday evening, Chinese New Year, etc, and factor in some extra time for congestion at the border.
Another option to taking an "international bus" is to make the short hop to Johor Bahru to catch "domestic" Malaysian long-distance express buses to various Malaysian destinations from the Larkin Bus Terminal. Besides having more options, fares may also be lower because you will be paying in Malaysian ringgit rather that Singapore dollars. The down side is the hassle of getting to Johor Bahru, although this can be done relatively easily. See the following section for connections to Johor Bahru.
By train
The Malaysian state rail operator KTMB [21] runs daily trains, including a sleeper service, from Kuala Lumpur. There is also one sleeper daily along the "Jungle Line" from Kota Bharu in north-eastern Malaysia. The trains are clean and fairly efficient, but slower than buses.
Trains arrive at the railway station in Tanjong Pagar at the southern edge of the CBD, a bit of a hike from Tanjong Pagar MRT station. It's also possible to get off in Woodlands right after immigration.
Note that KTMB tickets in Singapore will be charged in dollars, while those bought in Malaysia will be charged in ringgit at the same rate. A ticket which costs RM10 in Malaysia will thus cost S$10 (RM20!) if bought in Singapore! There are three ways to avoid paying double:
Book your tickets as return tickets from Malaysia. For example, KL-Singapore-KL will be charged at the ringgit rate.
Cross the border by road and then board the train at Johor Bahru. Note that making a reservation is highly advisable; the easiest way is to book online.
Buy the cheapest ticket you can from Singapore to JB, then your 'real' ticket from JB onward. Change to your 'real' seat after crossing the border.
[edit]
By boat
Ferries link Singapore with neighbouring Indonesian province of Riau Islands, and the Malaysian state of Johor (regular ferry services to Tioman Island were discontinued late in 2003).
Singapore has four ferry terminals which handle international ferries: HarbourFront (formerly World Trade Centre) near the southern part of the Central Business District, Tanah Merah on the East Coast, Changi Ferry Terminal and Changi Point Ferry Terminal , both at the eastern extremity of the island. Cruise ships use the HarbourFront terminal. HarbourFront and Tanah Merah are managed and operated by the Singapore Cruise Centre [22].
Getting to/away from the ferry terminals:
HarbourFront FT: Located next to HarbourFront MRT station.
Tanah Merah FT: Get off at Bedok MRT station and catch bus No. 35 to ferry terminal.
Changi Point FT: Take bus No. 2, 29 or 59 to Changi Village Bus Terminal and walk to the ferry terminal.
Cruises
Star Cruises [34] offers multi-day cruises from Singapore to points throughout Southeast Asia, departing from HarbourFront FT. Itineraries vary widely and change from year to year, but common destinations include Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Malacca in Malaysia, as well as Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui and Bangkok in Thailand. There are also several cruises every year to Borneo (Malaysia), Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and even some ten-night long hauls to Hong Kong. An all-inclusive two-night cruise may cost as little as $400 per person in the cheapest cabin class if you book early, but beware the numerous surcharges and note that non-residents may be charged significantly higher rates.
Singapore has very strict drug laws, and drug trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty — which is also applied to foreigners. As always, travellers should take care with their baggage and secure it appropriately. The paranoid might also like to note that in Singapore, it is an offense even to have any drug metabolites in your system, even if they were consumed outside Singapore.
Duty free allowances for alcohol are 1L of spirits, 1L of wine and 1L of beer per person. Note that cigarettes cannot be brought in duty free. One opened packet is acceptable, but anything more will be taxed. Foreigners can opt to pay the tax or let the customs officers keep the cigarettes until the next departure; locals get to choose between paying or witnessing the cigarettes being destroyed.
By plane
Singapore is one of southeast Asia's largest aviation hubs, so unless you're coming from Peninsular Malaysia or Batam/Bintan in Indonesia, the easiest way to enter Singapore is by air. In addition to flagship carrier Singapore Airlines and its regional subsidiary SilkAir, Singapore is also home to Tiger Airways, and Jetstar Asia, which recently took over Valuair.
Changi Airport
As befits the country's main airport and major regional hub status, Changi Airport (SIN) is big, nice, and well organized, and immigration and baggage distribution is remarkably fast. There are currently three terminals: Singapore Airlines and most Star Alliance partners operate from Terminal 2 (T2), whereas most other airlines use Terminal 1 (T1). The two are connected by a free "Skytrain" shuttle service, or you can just walk directly across. A new Budget Terminal opened in March 2006 currently handles only Tiger Airways flights and is connected to T2 by free shuttle bus.
If you have over five hours to spare there are free city tours six times a day. Check in at the Singapore Visitor Centre in either terminal. Even if stuck in the airport there are plenty of ways to kill time, including a movie theater (T2) and a swimming pool and jacuzzi (T1). Internet access is provided free of charge, both wirelessly and via some 200 terminals, there are some X-Boxes set up to keep gamers entertained, and there's live lounge music at times. Food options are varied and generally reasonably priced, with some choice picks including the Peranakan-themed Soup Restaurant (T2 landside) and Sakae Sushi (T2 airside). The free fortnightly Changi Express paper "contains news and information on events and happenings around Asia Pacific, in Singapore, and at Changi Airport".
Both terminals T1 and T2 have airside (i.e., accessible without passing through immigration) transit hotels on their third floors - tel. +65-6541-9106 or book online via the Ambassador Transit Hotel website. A six-hour "block" for a single/double/triple costs S$57.75/64.70/86.65, budget singles (shared bathroom) S$40.45, extensions S$13.90 per hour. You can rent a shower (without a room) to freshen up for S$8.40. The Plaza Premier Lounges in both terminals also offer a basic but functional gym with shower for S$8.40 with a Singapore Airlines boarding pass.
From the airport there are a number of ways to get into the city:
Taxi (cab) is easiest - simply follow the signs after clearing customs. Meters are always used in Singapore and prices are reasonable. A trip to the city will be between S$20.00 and S$30.00 (including S$3-5 airport surcharge, but excluding the midnight to 06:00 +50% surcharge if applicable).
Shuttle - six-seater MaxiCab shuttle service to designated areas/hotels costs S$7.00 and can be booked in advance or in the arrivals hall. 06:00 to 02:00, every 15 to 30 minutes.
Subway - MRT trains run from T2, although you must cross the platform to a city-bound train at Tanah Merah. The 30-minute ride to City Hall station costs S$1.40 (plus a refundable $1 deposit for a single-trip ticket). 05:31-23:18 (except Sundays & public holidays - 05:59-23.18) only. Unfortunately for the picky traveller, the stations downtown (e.g., Orchard, City Hall) that are nearest to the more popular and upscale hotels are the last to be upgraded for internal lifts, but if you're travelling by MRT the escalators really oughtn't be a problem.
Bus - bus terminals can be found in the basements of both T1 and T2. 06:00 to midnight only. Fares are sub-S$2.00, exact fare required (no change given).
Seletar Airport
Berjaya Air flights to the Malaysian islands of Redang and Tioman use Seletar (XSP), not Changi (SIN). The only practical means of access to Seletar is taxi; trips from the airport incur a S$3 surcharge.
By bus
Direct to/from Malaysian destinations
Another way in is by road from or via Johor Bahru in Malaysia. There are buses from Kuala Lumpur (KL) and many other destinations in Malaysia through the Woodlands Checkpoint and the Second Link at Tuas. Major operators include:
Aeroline, tel. +603-62588800 (Malaysia). Luxury buses with meal on-board, power sockets, lounge area etc, to KL and Petaling Jaya from S$47 one-way. Departures from Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Havelock Rd.
NiCE, tel. +65-62565755. Executive express buses to KL. Normal NiCE buses RM60, extra-roomy double-decker NiCE 2 buses S$47. Departures from Copthorne Orchid Hotel, Havelock Rd.
Transnasional, tel. +602-62947034 (Malaysia). Malaysia's largest bus operator, offers direct buses from Singapore through the peninsula. Executive/economy buses RM60/26 to KL. Departures from Lavender St.
Transtar, tel. +65-62999009. Transtar's 16-seater First Class coaches are currently the best around with frills like massaging chairs, onboard attendants and video on demand, but they also cost the most at S$60 one-way to KL. More plebeian SuperVIP/Executive buses are S$25/39, direct service to Malacca and Genting also available. Departures from Golden Mile Complex, Beach Rd (near Bugis MRT).
Other operators include:
Gunung Raya, tel. +65-62947711,
Hasry Express, tel. +65-62949306,
Konsortium Express, tel. +65-63923911,
In general, the more you pay, the faster your trip. More expensive buses leave on time, use the Second Link, and don't stop along the way; while the cheapest buses leave late if at all, use the perpetually jammed Causeway and make more stops. Book early for popular departure times like Friday and Sunday evening, Chinese New Year, etc, and factor in some extra time for congestion at the border.
Another option to taking an "international bus" is to make the short hop to Johor Bahru to catch "domestic" Malaysian long-distance express buses to various Malaysian destinations from the Larkin Bus Terminal. Besides having more options, fares may also be lower because you will be paying in Malaysian ringgit rather that Singapore dollars. The down side is the hassle of getting to Johor Bahru, although this can be done relatively easily. See the following section for connections to Johor Bahru.
By train
The Malaysian state rail operator KTMB [21] runs daily trains, including a sleeper service, from Kuala Lumpur. There is also one sleeper daily along the "Jungle Line" from Kota Bharu in north-eastern Malaysia. The trains are clean and fairly efficient, but slower than buses.
Trains arrive at the railway station in Tanjong Pagar at the southern edge of the CBD, a bit of a hike from Tanjong Pagar MRT station. It's also possible to get off in Woodlands right after immigration.
Note that KTMB tickets in Singapore will be charged in dollars, while those bought in Malaysia will be charged in ringgit at the same rate. A ticket which costs RM10 in Malaysia will thus cost S$10 (RM20!) if bought in Singapore! There are three ways to avoid paying double:
Book your tickets as return tickets from Malaysia. For example, KL-Singapore-KL will be charged at the ringgit rate.
Cross the border by road and then board the train at Johor Bahru. Note that making a reservation is highly advisable; the easiest way is to book online.
Buy the cheapest ticket you can from Singapore to JB, then your 'real' ticket from JB onward. Change to your 'real' seat after crossing the border.
[edit]
By boat
Ferries link Singapore with neighbouring Indonesian province of Riau Islands, and the Malaysian state of Johor (regular ferry services to Tioman Island were discontinued late in 2003).
Singapore has four ferry terminals which handle international ferries: HarbourFront (formerly World Trade Centre) near the southern part of the Central Business District, Tanah Merah on the East Coast, Changi Ferry Terminal and Changi Point Ferry Terminal , both at the eastern extremity of the island. Cruise ships use the HarbourFront terminal. HarbourFront and Tanah Merah are managed and operated by the Singapore Cruise Centre [22].
Getting to/away from the ferry terminals:
HarbourFront FT: Located next to HarbourFront MRT station.
Tanah Merah FT: Get off at Bedok MRT station and catch bus No. 35 to ferry terminal.
Changi Point FT: Take bus No. 2, 29 or 59 to Changi Village Bus Terminal and walk to the ferry terminal.
Cruises
Star Cruises [34] offers multi-day cruises from Singapore to points throughout Southeast Asia, departing from HarbourFront FT. Itineraries vary widely and change from year to year, but common destinations include Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Malacca in Malaysia, as well as Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui and Bangkok in Thailand. There are also several cruises every year to Borneo (Malaysia), Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and even some ten-night long hauls to Hong Kong. An all-inclusive two-night cruise may cost as little as $400 per person in the cheapest cabin class if you book early, but beware the numerous surcharges and note that non-residents may be charged significantly higher rates.
Singapore - Holidays
Thanks to its multicultural population, Singapore celebrates Chinese, Muslim, Indian, and Christian holidays.
The year kicks off with a bang on January 1st and New Year, celebrated in Singapore just as in the West with a fireworks show and parties at every nightspot in town. Particularly famous are the wet and wild foam parties on the beaches of resort island Sentosa — at least those years when the authorities deign to permit such relative debauchery.
Still, thanks to the influence of the Chinese majority, the largest event by far is Chinese New Year (or, more politically correctly, Lunar New Year), usually held in February. The whole festival stretches out for no less than 42 days, but the frenzied buildup to the peak occurs just before the night of the new moon, with exhortations of gong xi fa cai (恭喜发财 "congratulations and prosper"), red tinsel, mandarin oranges and the year's zodiac animal emblazoned everywhere and crowds of shoppers queuing in Chinatown. The two following days are spent with family and most of the island comes to a standstill, and then life returns to normal... except for the final burst of Chingay, a colorful parade down Orchard Road held ten days later.
The seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar — usually August — starts off with a puff of smoke, as "hell money" is burned and food offerings are made to please the spirits of ancestors who are said to return to earth at this time. The climax on the 15th day of the lunar calendar is the Hungry Ghost Festival, when the living get together to stuff themselves and watch plays and Chinese opera performances. Following soon afterwards, the Mid-Autumn Festival on the night of a full moon in September is also a major event, with elaborate lantern decorations — particularly in Jurong's Chinese Garden — and moon cakes filled with red bean paste, nuts, and more consumed merrily.
The Hindu festival of lights, Deepavali, is celebrated around October or November and Little India is brightly decorated for the occasion. The Islamic month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr or Hari Raya Puasa as it is called here, is a major occasion in Malay parts of town (particularly Geylang Serai on the East Coast).
The Buddhist Vesak Day, celebrating the birthday of the Buddha Sakyamuni, plus the Christian holidays of Christmas Day and Good Friday round out the list holidays.
A more secular manifestation of community spirit occurs on August 9th, National Day, when fluttering flags fill Singapore and elaborate parades are held.
The Singapore Ministry of Manpower maintains the official list of public holidays.
The year kicks off with a bang on January 1st and New Year, celebrated in Singapore just as in the West with a fireworks show and parties at every nightspot in town. Particularly famous are the wet and wild foam parties on the beaches of resort island Sentosa — at least those years when the authorities deign to permit such relative debauchery.
Still, thanks to the influence of the Chinese majority, the largest event by far is Chinese New Year (or, more politically correctly, Lunar New Year), usually held in February. The whole festival stretches out for no less than 42 days, but the frenzied buildup to the peak occurs just before the night of the new moon, with exhortations of gong xi fa cai (恭喜发财 "congratulations and prosper"), red tinsel, mandarin oranges and the year's zodiac animal emblazoned everywhere and crowds of shoppers queuing in Chinatown. The two following days are spent with family and most of the island comes to a standstill, and then life returns to normal... except for the final burst of Chingay, a colorful parade down Orchard Road held ten days later.
The seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar — usually August — starts off with a puff of smoke, as "hell money" is burned and food offerings are made to please the spirits of ancestors who are said to return to earth at this time. The climax on the 15th day of the lunar calendar is the Hungry Ghost Festival, when the living get together to stuff themselves and watch plays and Chinese opera performances. Following soon afterwards, the Mid-Autumn Festival on the night of a full moon in September is also a major event, with elaborate lantern decorations — particularly in Jurong's Chinese Garden — and moon cakes filled with red bean paste, nuts, and more consumed merrily.
The Hindu festival of lights, Deepavali, is celebrated around October or November and Little India is brightly decorated for the occasion. The Islamic month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr or Hari Raya Puasa as it is called here, is a major occasion in Malay parts of town (particularly Geylang Serai on the East Coast).
The Buddhist Vesak Day, celebrating the birthday of the Buddha Sakyamuni, plus the Christian holidays of Christmas Day and Good Friday round out the list holidays.
A more secular manifestation of community spirit occurs on August 9th, National Day, when fluttering flags fill Singapore and elaborate parades are held.
The Singapore Ministry of Manpower maintains the official list of public holidays.
Singapore - Climate
At only 135 km (85 miles) north of the Equator, the weather is usually sunny with no distinct seasons. However, most rainfall occurs during the northeast monsoon (November to January). Showers are usually sudden and heavy but also brief and refreshing, although humidity is uncomfortably high at this time of year. In summer, forest fires in neighboring Sumatra can also cause dense haze.
Spectacular thunder storms can occur throughout the year, normally in the afternoons, so it's wise to carry a umbrella at all times, both as a shade from the sun or cover from the rain.
The temperature averages around:
26C (79F) daytime, 24C (76F) at night in December and January
31C (89F) daytime, 26C (80F) at night for the rest of the year.
The high temperature and humidity, combined with the lack of wind and the fact that temperatures stay high during the night, can take its toll on visitors from colder parts of the world. Bear in mind that spending more than about one hour outdoors can be very exhausting, especially if combined with moderate exercise. Singaporeans themselves shun the heat, and for a good reason. Many live in air-conditioned flats, work in air-conditioned offices, take the air-conditioned metro to air-conditioned shopping malls connected to each other by underground tunnels where they shop, eat, and exercise in air-conditioned fitness clubs. Follow their example if you want to avoid discomfort.
Spectacular thunder storms can occur throughout the year, normally in the afternoons, so it's wise to carry a umbrella at all times, both as a shade from the sun or cover from the rain.
The temperature averages around:
26C (79F) daytime, 24C (76F) at night in December and January
31C (89F) daytime, 26C (80F) at night for the rest of the year.
The high temperature and humidity, combined with the lack of wind and the fact that temperatures stay high during the night, can take its toll on visitors from colder parts of the world. Bear in mind that spending more than about one hour outdoors can be very exhausting, especially if combined with moderate exercise. Singaporeans themselves shun the heat, and for a good reason. Many live in air-conditioned flats, work in air-conditioned offices, take the air-conditioned metro to air-conditioned shopping malls connected to each other by underground tunnels where they shop, eat, and exercise in air-conditioned fitness clubs. Follow their example if you want to avoid discomfort.
Singapore - History
According to legend, Srivijayan prince Sang Nila Utama landed on the island in the 13th century and, catching sight of a strange creature that he thought was a lion, decided to found a new city he called Singapura, Sanskrit for Lion City. More historical records indicate that the island was settled at least two centuries earlier and was known as Temasek, Javanese for "Sea Town". However, Sumatran Srivijaya fell around 1400 and Temasek, battered by the feuding kingdoms of Siam and the Javanese Majapahit, fell into obscurity.
The story of Singapore as we know it today thus began in 1819, when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles made a deal with a claimant to the throne of the sultan of Johor: the British would support his claim in exchange for the right to set up a trading post on the island. Well-placed at the entrance to the Straits of Malacca, straddling the trade routes between China, India, Europe, and Australia, Raffles' masterstroke was to declare Singapore a free port, with no duties charged on trade. As traders flocked to escape onerous Dutch taxes, the trading post soon grew into one of Asia's busiest, drawing people from far and wide. Along with Penang and Malacca, Singapore became one of the Straits Settlements and a jewel in the British colonial crown, and its economic fortunes received a further boost when palm oil and rubber from neighboring Malaya were processed and shipped out via Singapore. In 1867, Singapore was formally split off from British India and made into a directly ruled Crown Colony.
When World War II broke out, Fortress Singapore was seen a formidable British base, with massive naval fortifications guarding against assault by sea. However, not only did the fortress lack a fleet as all ships were tied up defending Britain from the Germans, but the Japanese wisely chose to cross Malaya by bicycle instead. Despite hastily turning the guns around, this was something the British had not prepared for at all, and on February 15th, 1942, with supplies critically low after less than a week of fighting, Singapore ignominiously surrendered and the colony's erstwhile rulers were packed off to Changi Prison. Tens of thousands perished in the subsequent brutal occupation, and the return of the British in 1945 was less than triumphal — it was clear that their time was up.
Granted self-rule in 1955, Singapore briefly joined Malaysia in 1963 when the British left, but was expelled because the Chinese-majority city was seen as a threat to Malay dominance, and the island became independent on 9 August 1965. The subsequent forty years of iron-fisted rule by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew saw Singapore's economy boom, with the country rapidly becoming one of the wealthiest and most developed in Asia. Now led by Lee's son Lee Hsien Loong, the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) continues to dominate the political scene, with 82 out of 84 seats in Parliament (over half won unopposed) and opposition politicians regularly bankrupted by defamation suits. Societal restrictions have been loosened up in recent years though, with the government trying to shake off its staid image, and it remains to be seen how the delicate balancing act between tyrannical political control and social freedom will play out.
The story of Singapore as we know it today thus began in 1819, when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles made a deal with a claimant to the throne of the sultan of Johor: the British would support his claim in exchange for the right to set up a trading post on the island. Well-placed at the entrance to the Straits of Malacca, straddling the trade routes between China, India, Europe, and Australia, Raffles' masterstroke was to declare Singapore a free port, with no duties charged on trade. As traders flocked to escape onerous Dutch taxes, the trading post soon grew into one of Asia's busiest, drawing people from far and wide. Along with Penang and Malacca, Singapore became one of the Straits Settlements and a jewel in the British colonial crown, and its economic fortunes received a further boost when palm oil and rubber from neighboring Malaya were processed and shipped out via Singapore. In 1867, Singapore was formally split off from British India and made into a directly ruled Crown Colony.
When World War II broke out, Fortress Singapore was seen a formidable British base, with massive naval fortifications guarding against assault by sea. However, not only did the fortress lack a fleet as all ships were tied up defending Britain from the Germans, but the Japanese wisely chose to cross Malaya by bicycle instead. Despite hastily turning the guns around, this was something the British had not prepared for at all, and on February 15th, 1942, with supplies critically low after less than a week of fighting, Singapore ignominiously surrendered and the colony's erstwhile rulers were packed off to Changi Prison. Tens of thousands perished in the subsequent brutal occupation, and the return of the British in 1945 was less than triumphal — it was clear that their time was up.
Granted self-rule in 1955, Singapore briefly joined Malaysia in 1963 when the British left, but was expelled because the Chinese-majority city was seen as a threat to Malay dominance, and the island became independent on 9 August 1965. The subsequent forty years of iron-fisted rule by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew saw Singapore's economy boom, with the country rapidly becoming one of the wealthiest and most developed in Asia. Now led by Lee's son Lee Hsien Loong, the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) continues to dominate the political scene, with 82 out of 84 seats in Parliament (over half won unopposed) and opposition politicians regularly bankrupted by defamation suits. Societal restrictions have been loosened up in recent years though, with the government trying to shake off its staid image, and it remains to be seen how the delicate balancing act between tyrannical political control and social freedom will play out.
Singapore - Understand
Singapore is a microcosm of Asia, populated by Chinese, Malays, Indians and a large group of workers and expatriates from all across the globe. A famously authoritarian state with fines for unlikely things like not flushing toilets, Singapore has a partly deserved reputation for boredom that has earned it snickering descriptions like William Gibson's "Disneyland with the death penalty" or the "world's only shopping mall with a seat in the United Nations", but the Switzerland of Asia is for many a welcome respite from the poverty, chaos, and crime of much of the Asian mainland.
Singaporean food is legendary, with bustling hawker centres and 24-hour coffee shops offering cheap food from all parts of Asia, and shoppers can bust their baggage allowances in shopping meccas like Orchard Road and Suntec City. In recent years some societal restrictions have also loosened up, and now you can bungee jump and dance on bartops all night long, although alcohol is very pricey and chewing gum can only be bought from a pharmacy. Gambling casinos will be opening up in about 2009 as part of Singapore's new Fun and Entertainment drive, the aim being to double the number of tourists visiting and increasing the length of time they stay. Watch out for more loosening up in the future.
Singaporean food is legendary, with bustling hawker centres and 24-hour coffee shops offering cheap food from all parts of Asia, and shoppers can bust their baggage allowances in shopping meccas like Orchard Road and Suntec City. In recent years some societal restrictions have also loosened up, and now you can bungee jump and dance on bartops all night long, although alcohol is very pricey and chewing gum can only be bought from a pharmacy. Gambling casinos will be opening up in about 2009 as part of Singapore's new Fun and Entertainment drive, the aim being to double the number of tourists visiting and increasing the length of time they stay. Watch out for more loosening up in the future.
Singapore - Addresses
In the center Singapore's addressing system is fairly normal ("17 Orchard Rd" etc), but the new housing developments on the outskirts may appear more intimidating: a typical address might be "Blk 505 Jurong West St 51 #01-186". Here "Blk 505" is the housing block number (always prominently painted on the building), "Jurong West St 51" is the street name (yes, there are at least 50 other numbered Jurong West Streets), and "#01-186" means floor 1, unit, stall or shop 186. Street and block numbers do proceed in numerical order though, so tracking down the exact location after finding the general area isn't too hard usually. There are also 6-digit postal codes, which - considering the small size of the island - generally correspond to exactly one building. For example, "Blk 9 Bedok South Ave 2" is "Singapore 460009".
A very useful tool for hunting down addresses is the free online Singapore Street Directory. Taxis are obligated by law to carry a complete street directory with them.
A very useful tool for hunting down addresses is the free online Singapore Street Directory. Taxis are obligated by law to carry a complete street directory with them.
Singapore - Districts
Singapore is a rather small country on a small island, but with over four million people it's a fairly large city.
Central — The densely packed heart of the city, containing:
Bugis and Kampong Glam — Bugis and Kampong Glam are Singapore's old Malay district, now largely taken over by shopping.
Chinatown — the area originally designated for Chinese settlement by Stamford Raffles.
Little India — A piece of India to the north of the CBD.
Orchard Road — world-renowned shopping district
Riverside — museums, statues and theaters, not to mention restaurants, bars and clubs
Balestier, Newton, Novena and Toa Payoh — Budget accommodations and Burmese temples within striking distance of the center.
East Coast — The largely residential eastern part of the island contains Changi Airport and many famous eateries.
North and West — The northern and western parts of the island, also known as Woodlands and Jurong respectively, form Singapore's residential and industrial hinterlands.
Sentosa — A separate island developed into a resort, Sentosa is the closest that Singapore gets to Disneyland.
Central — The densely packed heart of the city, containing:
Bugis and Kampong Glam — Bugis and Kampong Glam are Singapore's old Malay district, now largely taken over by shopping.
Chinatown — the area originally designated for Chinese settlement by Stamford Raffles.
Little India — A piece of India to the north of the CBD.
Orchard Road — world-renowned shopping district
Riverside — museums, statues and theaters, not to mention restaurants, bars and clubs
Balestier, Newton, Novena and Toa Payoh — Budget accommodations and Burmese temples within striking distance of the center.
East Coast — The largely residential eastern part of the island contains Changi Airport and many famous eateries.
North and West — The northern and western parts of the island, also known as Woodlands and Jurong respectively, form Singapore's residential and industrial hinterlands.
Sentosa — A separate island developed into a resort, Sentosa is the closest that Singapore gets to Disneyland.
Singapore - clean and orderly island-city state
Singapore is an island-state in Southeast Asia. Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, since independence it has become one of the world's most prosperous countries, sporting the world's busiest port. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Indian and Malay influences and a lush tropical climate, with tasty food, good shopping and a happening, vibrant nightlife scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover or springboard into the region.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Protecting Vietnam
There are many reasons for traveling to this South East Asian jewel. Some come for the food, others for history. Some visit Vietnam simply because they can!
Adam Hurley is an experienced tour guide, living and working in Vietnam for nearly 5 years. He also works in photography.
However there is another reason to visit, five in fact. Thanks to the efforts of local governments and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a few National Parks and Historical sites are now being protected for future generations.
Be sure to visit them when you make the journey to Vietnam.
Hoi An
Located some 30km south of Danang in Quang Nam Province, Hoi An Old Town is a stunning little town full of history, culture and beautiful old architecture.
Perfect for just strolling around, Hoi An was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999.
Between the 15th – 19th century, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers for South East Asia, before the Thu Bon River silted up and operations were moved north to Danang where they continue today.
Today many visitors flock to Hoi An for not only the history and culture, but also for the beach, tailors and the many restaurants and bars that operate through out the town.
Halong Bay
Covering some 3000 sq. km, Halong Bay is famous for it’s spectacular scenery, which is made up of 1,969 limestone and schist islands.
Sitting in the northeast corner of Vietnam and bordering the Chinese border, the Vietnamese Government made Halong Bay a National Protection Area in 1962. It wasn’t until 1994 that it was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
For the Vietnamese Halong Bay holds strong myths and legends, while for the traveler, Halong is simply magically!
Hue – The Complex Of Hue Monuments
In 1993, the former Capital of Vietnam, Hue, had some of its monuments placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Listing.
During the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945), 13 Kings ruled the country from Hues Citadel, which is located on the banks of the Perfume River.
Hue, whilst not the Capital city anymore, is now considered the religious center of Vietnam and Buddhism.
My Son
Situated 68km southwest of Danang, My Son was once the Imperial City of the Charm Dynasty, which ruled through between the 4th – 13th centuries.
Today many of the statues and monuments have been moved to the Charm Museum in Danang, however My Son, comprising of more than 70 temples, is a major draw card for travelers visiting Quang Nam Province and Hoi An. My Son was listed by UNESCO in 1999.
Phong Nha Cave – Ke Bang National Park
Comprising of some 65km of caves and underground rivers, Phong Nha is home to over 100 families and some of Vietnams most endangered plants, fauna and animals.
Extending back to the Laos border, Ke Bang National Park is primarily tropical forest and a landscape made up of hundreds of limestone karts.
Listed with UNESCO in 2005, the park provides a great environment for trekking, photography and boating. Phong Nha is growing quickly in popularity with both local and foreign travelers.
Adam Hurley is an experienced tour guide, living and working in Vietnam for nearly 5 years. He also works in photography.
Traveling in Asia is Affordable
The sight of new and different items on display and the excitement of open air markets and colorful shops makes shopping in Asia a unique and fun experience. Not only will you see goods that are different and hard to come by in the west, but you'll find prices much different than those you're accustomed to, and different from prices seen when traveling to other regions, like Europe.
In China, clothing costs about four or five times less than in European countries. However, the sizing system is much different than in the U.S. A woman who wears a size medium in the United States will find herself browsing the extra large section of the department store. It is wise to try everything on to make sure it fits before buying, and carefully consider the size of any clothing item you plan to purchase as a gift for someone else.
In India clothing can be had for about half the price that it would cost in European stores, if you know where to shop. For example, on Mumbai's Fashion Street, surplus from the city's clothing factories can scooped up at bargain prices.It is best to purchase clothing made by famous European designers in Europe. Taxes and duties on imported goods in Asian countries tend to drive the prices up. An exception is Hong Kong, where goods are not taxed and the prices are often comparable to the European prices.
Naturally, Asian goods of all kinds are considerably cheaper in Asian countries than in Europe. For example, Chinese chops, which are name stamps usually used with red ink, can be found in many shops catering to tourists for about $5. The purchaser's name is normally carved into the chop at the store. The same item would cost around $40 outside of China.
Beautiful and unique jewelry can be purchased in Asia for bargain prices. Because of India's strong diamond industry, diamond rings and earrings can be bought for less than half of what they would cost in Europe. For pearls, you would pay about five times more in Europe than in China for a strand of similar size and quality.
A massage in China will run about $10, where a similar massage in Europe will cost roughly $80. The Chinese have practiced massage techniques for thousands of years, and a genuine Chinese massage is extremely relaxing. Foot rubs are popular as well, especially for travelers who have spent long hours on their feet visiting temples and climbing several stories of stairs in pagodas.
A tailor made silk shirt in Hong Kong costs around $100. Beautiful silk fabric is available in Vietnam for around $3-$9 a yard, depending on the quality. Good quality silk fabric in China costs about $4.00 a yard. The fabric tends to be narrower than the standard 45 or 60 inch widths, so make sure to ask how wide it is before purchasing. The method of producing silk from the cocoons of silkworms was originally developed by the Chinese and remained a secret for hundreds of years. Eventually the technique became known and spread across Asia and Europe, but to this day China remains the leader in producing silk.
Remember that the prices listed above are guidelines. Prices will vary from shop to shop - expect to pay more at the store in the hotel lobby than the one tucked away on a side street. Also, in most Asian countries it is customary to bargain over prices and your skill at bargaining will determine the price you ultimately pay for your purchases.
John Riggin is Executive Editor for http://www.SeeYouInAsia.com the largest and most comprehensive US to Asia travel website. Where you'll discover the best deals on flights, tours, hotels, cruises and more.
Singapore - The New Travel Destination In Asia
Singapore is a small city-state with the area of 699 km2. Although it is one of the most densely-populated countries in the world, Singapore is famous for its clean and green environment. There are four official languages in Singapore: Singapore - Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English. The population is made up by a mix of Chinese, Malays, Indians and a small proportion of other nationalities. In spite of its small area, Singapore is a new industrial country with one of the busiest ports of the world.
Singapore is an island country with 58 smaller islands around the main land. The most famous island of Singapore is Sentosa, the country's most visited attraction. This island is aimed mostly at tourism with many aquariums, museums, beaches, sports centres, camping sites and a lot of hostels and luxury hotels.
Located in the tropical area of the world, Singapore's climate is hot and humid all year round. The temperature during the day is up to 34oC and falls to about 22oC at night. Although it is said that the rainy season is from November to January, a small amount of rain can occur all around the year.
Besides many skyscrapers in the urban areas, which occupy more than 50% of the land, Singapore also has many parks, botanic gardens, zoos and waterfalls. Although most of them are artificial, even the sand for the beaches is imported, they are very lively and attract millions of tourists every year.
Singapore is also famous for its shopping centres. You can find almost everything there from clothes and electronic goods to herbal medicine. The most famous road for this activity is the Orchard. Orchard road is ideal for all shopping addicts. The newest and most fashionable shoes and clothes can be found in this area and you will wander there all day without any boredom. This area is also called the "dining centre" which has many big restaurants serving food from all over the world. Besides big and modern shopping centres, other destinations for shopping are Chinatown, Little India and the Arab street. There are many unique and inexpensive things here which you can buy as souvenirs and gifts for your friends and family members.
Other places you shouldn't miss when visiting Singapore are the Holland Village, Changi Village and the Jurong town. Jurong town is a big industrial centre of Singapore. The Jurong Park has the world's highest man-made waterfall, which stands at 30 meters.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Asia
The Ancient Chinese Silk Route – Conduit of Culture
Small Beginnings
Arguably the most significant trade route of ancient Chinese civilisation, the Silk Road, or Silk Route as it is sometimes known, was named in the mid-19th century by German scholar, Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen. However, the route itself was in use since around the 2nd Century BC. Its original purpose had been political rather than economic and a court official from the Han Empire was sent westwards on a diplomatic mission, becoming the first traveller along what would become the most important east-west link ever. It was to be decades before his return, and when he did, the goods and information he'd gathered on his journey would spark the desire for trade.
Corridor of cultural exchange
Over time, the route became a conduit for the exchange of information and goods - it was to people of the time as the Internet is to us today; a means of linkage between diverse and geographically isolated civilisations.
What's in a name anyway?
"The Silk Road" is a bit of a misnomer. Firstly, it was not really a single road. Rather, it was a wandering network of trails linking the Far East to Europe, Persia and Northern Africa. Secondly, silk was but one of a considerable number of valuable commodities traded along the route.
Exchanging ideas and ideologies
Scientific and technological innovations, such as gunpowder, ceramics, the magnetic compass, the printing press and mathematics, transferred along the Silk Road to the West. The religion of Buddhism reached China from India, and was later to play an important role in the evolution of Chinese culture. Of course, Buddhism was not to be the only religion to travel this road. The cultural effects of the rise of Islam can still be seen in many of the areas along the route. Art and language too came to be exchanged.
Silk by Sea
In the late 15th century, the discovery of a sea route from Europe to Asia made the Silk Road less popular as a trade route. Sea travel presented a new opportunity to trade at lower cost, with fewer dangers. These sea routes are sometimes considered as part of the greater "Silk Route".
The Silk Route Today
After what could perhaps be called an extended hibernation period, the Silk Route is once again growing in importance. The construction of modern roads and railways, the discovery of oil reserves and the industrialisation of surrounding areas has led to the reopening of parts of this route to some extent.
The historical significance of the route is well-appreciated by modern-day travellers. To walk in the footsteps of the likes of Marco Polo, to see first-hand the landscapes traversed by explorers centuries ago; it is surely a fantastic experience of cultural enrichment.
The potential that this area holds as a tourist destination is not lost on the authorities. Neither is its archaeological relevance.
Preserving the Past
Chinese authorities are doing their best to protect and restore many of the most important archaeological sites. The Dunhuang Research Institute has been examining and restoring the Mogao grottos and an extensive preservation project is currently underway. Excavations are undertaken all over, with significant finds relatively frequent.
One such find has been produced at the Astana tombs site, where the dead from the city of Gaochang were buried. The murals, clothing and other artefacts discovered, have provided significant insight into life along the old Silk Road.
There is much to see and learn from around the Taklimakan Desert; damaged grottos and ruined cities rich in their histories.
Unique People
Archaeology is not the only draw card though. Many visitors are attracted by the minority peoples - there are about thirteen different groupings in the region; the Han Chinese, the Tibetans and Mongolians in the east, and the Tajik, Kazakhs and Uzbeks in the west.
Then there's the lure of cities such as Kashgar, where the Sunday market maintains much of the old Silk Road spirit. People various nationalities selling everything from spice and ornaments to camels and carpets.
It is the kind of place that adventure travellers dream about. Rich in history and cultural legacy, surrounded by imposing geography, peopled by diverse minorities and relatively untouched by mainstream tourist machinations.
The Silk Route Legacy Lives On
From its founding during the early days of the Han Dynasty, the Silk Road has had an important role in international trade and politics, extending over three continents and leaving its mark on civilisations around the globe. It has had periods of boom and decline and it has been always come back to boom again. I would venture to suggest that the story of the Silk Road is far from over...
For those of adventurous spirit, Oasis Overland Adventure Travel is offering a ground-breaking tour from Marrakech to Beijing. The 23-week exploratory expedition starts from the "Roof of Africa" and follows the fabled Silk Route, promising participants a unique mix of African and Asian cultural flavours.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Full Moon Party - Koh Phangan Thailand
The original phrase Full Moon Party originates from an all-night beach party held at Haad Rin (aka Hat Rin) on Ko Pha Ngan, a tropical Thai island in the Gulf of Thailand. The party takes place every full moon evening.
The party was originally a small affair with a small number of travellers dancing through the night of the full moon, mainly to psychedelic trance music. The Full Moon Party gained fame quickly through word of mouth, and the event now draws a crowd of up to 10,000 every full moon evening. The party carries on until the sun rises the next day. All the bars on the sunset beach of Haad Rin town stay open and play music such as drum and bass, house and reggae. The event has become a part of the itinerary of many travellers to Asia. Entry to the event is completely free. Has also spawned the Half Moon Party and Black Moon Party.
The Full Moon Party is mainly about 2 things: alcohol and dancing. Thai alcohol brands such as Sang Som rum, Mekong whiskey, and Singha beer are most popular amongst revellers. A signature of the Full moon party are the buckets - mixed drinks served in small plastic pails. A flask of liquor (usually Sang Som rum) is poured over ice and topped up with a can of Coke and a bottle of Red Bull syrup. Several straws are then thrown in and partiers are seen dancing away the night with these buckets in hand. The going rate for a bucket is around 200 baht, roughly £3 / $5.50.
In the past there has been some association with illegal drug use. Although the use, possession, and/or sale of drugs is illegal under Thai law, club drugs such as ecstasy, methamphetamine, Yaa Baa, marijuana, opium, and even over the counter diet pills have been reported. As of 2002, the Thai government has pursued a stricter defense against illegal drugs at these events. Use discretion - the going rate (bribe) for a small pot bust is about 50,000 baht - £750 / $1200 and foreigners do go to jail for possession. Drug use at Full Moon Parties has lessened in recent years, in part due to greater fear of being caught but also because the parties now draw attendees from a wider range of backgrounds.
Thank : World Travel
Source : wikipedia
Picture : Joel's Journeys
En Route For Tibet
North of the Himalayas, in western China, lies the
self-governing land of Tibet. The Tibetan Plateau is the
highest populated region on the planet and stands at an average
elevation of 16,000 feet. To the north lie the imposing Kunlun
Shan mountains, providing a natural border.
At one of the last great outposts is the isolated Argin Shan
Reserve, the largest nature reserve in China. The large herds
of hooved animals present in this wilderness have led to its
nickname ‘Serengeti of Asia’. The snow leopard is a frequent
visitor to the reserve but unfortunately excessive hunting
means it is now an endangered species.
Such imposing platformed territory offers source to some of the
most powerful rivers in Asia including the Indus, Brahmaputra,
Ganges, Salween and Mekong. The Yangtze twists and turns
through the broad green valleys flowing eastwards across China
and ultimately the East China Sea.
Many folk of Tibet are nomads and move their entire families
around the country. Skin tents are popular living domains
allowing easy departure should circumstances dictate. Rural
life reigns in Tibet and starkly contradicts many westerners
lifestyles. Religion is practiced passionately with many a
young boy aspiring to become a Buddhist monk.
Eager to preserve their nomadic way of life, summer chores must
be completed by fall before the severe winter weather prevents
passage through the mountains. The mountain trails are
fundamental to trading and pattern a working myriad of paths
during the more clement months of the year.
Much of Tibet is barren land scattered with modest
neighborhoods laboring arduously to earn a livelihood from
the land. This is compensated some part however by the
beautiful scenery in which these nomadic folk live. Soaring
peaks bathe in cloud as colossal mountains command the horizon
throughout this noble ground. In this pollution-free atmosphere
the pure, brisk air permits unhindered panorama for miles on
every side.
The brief spring and summer months bring an explosion of
color. Greenery is rife as efflorescence emerge almost
overnight to complement the vivid territory. The outbreak of
bloom however is short lived. The onset of winter blankets all
in a sheet of white, as snow and ice mask the landscape.
Uncompromising winter months bring much Tibetan activity to a
pause, as the elements seize a grip of the environment. The
brief term of mild weather is crucial to the livelihood of the
farmers. Livestock must be put to pasture and fattened up in
time for winter.
About The Author:
Steven Cronin writes articles, poetry and short stories predominantly concerning travel as well as issues that influence the world in which we live. For further
literature visit http://www.sargas.co.uk
Source : World Travel
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