Ideas for Singapore

[nzporsche944s2]

I've got a few days in Singapore coming up later this month. The last time I was there was 20 years ago so I'm sure a few things have changed..

I can remember visiting Sentosa Island, Tiger Balm Gardens, Raffles Hotel, Lucky Plaza on Orchard Rd (is it still there?). Has anyone got any suggestions for any off-the-usual-tourist-track sights? I'll be staying in the Clarke Quay area.

I found this thread from 2013 so it should be reasonably up to date but the OP was asking the question from a different perspective (i.e. moving to Singapore)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/751380-singapore.html

Thanks in advance

[Holger]

Aaaaah, memories! Raffles, Sentosa, Orchard Rd, Pulau Ubin (the cycling island), Sim Lim Square(!), Orchard Towers (Ipanema club/bar - GREAT music), Zoo, Marina Bay Sands (!), the great food markets! WOW! I am jealous! I wanna go there!

[fnqvmuch]

anywhere but little india will not disappoint;
just before lunar new year 2013 was 1st and only but not last - felt like bladerunner or something;
architecture and multicultural, everyone's just getting on with business; stereotypical mad-bombers next to short-skirt&implants waiting for the lights ....
Mustapha Centre for money-changers and whatever
Arab Quarter for cool
Tiger-Balm (now Haw-Pah) apparently not cool
Sentosa ... meh ...
envy you; we'd be there tomorrow if we could.

[aigel]

I am a fan of the food markets. That's about it. I don't understand the excitement about the place. Shopping and eating are the only things you really can do there. Huge gap between rich / poor and the place just smells of autocracy ...

So, hit one of the food markets, the best ones are in the apartment areas away from the main drag.

G

[red-beard]

If you are there for business, hook up with one of the locals to find a good food court. My first time (1988) I was there for 10 days R&R (really VISA renewal) while working in India. All times since were short business trips.

Nothing is cheap. That is long past. Raffles is OK, but then I haven't been there in 15 years. And the bartender couldn't make a Black and Tan and he had HARP and GUINNESS on TAP! I had to show him and bend the spoon, etc.

One thing I did like, even though they weren't cheap, was that the Electronics area of town has lots of stuff that hasn't made it to the USA yet. I bought an Alinco credit card size 2m/70cm transceiver HAM radio before it was in the USA.

[stuartj]

Shopping and eating, that's about it. Great food town, full of ex-pats, its a commerce town. Very very clean, has a fascinating history - hardly my favorite place in Asia. There isn't much "Asia" in SGP.

[dan79brooklyn]

Black Pepper crab and Tiger Beer.

[crustychief]

I will be there at the end of the month as well, staying at the Hilton. I have not been since 2007 so I am afraid I will have to learn it all over again also.

[Holger]

Lucky guys!

[strath44]

Newton Circus is the best hawker centre (food market) in my opinion, they are just great!

The botanic gardens are fantastic if you are into that or want somewhere to run / jog / walk.

The infiniti pool on top of the marina bay sands hotel is rather cool but not sure if its residents only (as we stayed there).

We've also stayed at the mandarin oriental near the bay and I would highly recommend it over anywhere, amazing service!

[nzporsche944s2]

Thanks for all the input. I have to admit I wasn't too excited to be going there - to me it was just going to be another business trip but there are definitely some suggestions here that have me interested such as the "cycling island" Pulau Ubin.

Definitely looking forward to the food though

[widebody911]

Spray paint and bubble gum!

[JacobS911]

Watch the Singapore episode of Anthony Bourdains show "the layover". It's on Netflix, but should be a good start on some ideas for fooooooood!!

[Holger]

Originally Posted by nzporsche944s2

Thanks for all the input. I have to admit I wasn't too excited to be going there - to me it was just going to be another business trip but there are definitely some suggestions here that have me interested such as the "cycling island" Pulau Ubin.

Definitely looking forward to the food though

The Singaporians cannot ride a bicycle, but they LOVE to visit the island and rent a bicycle anyways
It is also a magnet for mountainbikers.

Go to Pulau Ubin by boat from Changi-area.

[vash]

Originally Posted by aigel

I am a fan of the food markets. That's about it. I don't understand the excitement about the place. Shopping and eating are the only things you really can do there. Huge gap between rich / poor and the place just smells of autocracy ...

So, hit one of the food markets, the best ones are in the apartment areas away from the main drag.

G

Please do this.

there is a giant food market there that is under a giant structure. inside you find food stalls.

two words. Hainanese Chicken!! it is friggen amazing!! the exact stall i ate at, that Anthony Bourdaine visited later..i recognized the dude chopping the bird. it's a pretty small serving, so wander about and find yourself a bowl of Chicken Laksa noodle soup. holy!!! brace yourself.

it is the biggest food market there. just wandering about, you will find it. we did by following the locals. and it is HOT there.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Spray paint and bubble gum!

+ forget a bag of weed in your sport coat pocket ...

G

[dewolf]

Ideas for Singapore.........air conditioning.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by aigel

+ forget a bag of weed in your sport coat pocket ...

G

You guys make me want to spit on the footpath

Just saw this thread... Was last there in'82... I remember the pilot on the intercom, "...excuse me ladies and gentlemen, if you are caught bringing drugs into Singapore you will be put to death...Thank you!" It was pretty up tight back then.

-Chuck

[aigel]

Originally Posted by ckrause

Just saw this thread... Was last there in'82... I remember the pilot on the intercom, "...excuse me ladies and gentlemen, if you are caught bringing drugs into Singapore you will be put to death...Thank you!" It was pretty up tight back then.

-Chuck

Nothing has changed on that front. You will still be put to death for drug trafficking. I would definitely not want to be a recreational or medicinal smoker (legal) in the US and travel to Singapore on a regular basis. I would be very paranoid I had left a dose or two in a pocket somewhere.

AAMOF, when I traveled there, I purposely took bags that I knew for sure hadn't been on any hunting trips before. And I went through all my pockets. It would probably be interesting to show up wit a few rounds of high powered rifle ammo ... you can probably guess how their gun laws look like ...

That's my biggest beef with Singapore. It is an autocracy and if you do something deemed wrong, don't expect a fair trial, or a proper trial at all ...

G