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Things to do in Singapore?
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moonmonkey
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Aug 14, 2008, 09:00 PM
 
I'm going to Singapore next week and my stay will overlap the weekend which I will have free.
I have been a couple of times before but never had any free time.

Any advice on anything to do? - I will be on my own.
     
design219
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Aug 14, 2008, 09:07 PM
 
Don't they have a lot of prostitutes there? Or am I confusing Singapore with all the other S.E. Asian countries?

Anyway, something to consider.
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Andy8
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Aug 14, 2008, 09:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by design219 View Post
Don't they have a lot of prostitutes there? Or am I confusing Singapore with all the other S.E. Asian countries?
No different from any other country, the only difference perhaps is that it is 100% legal and they are taxed like all others on the tiny city state island.
     
Randman
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Aug 14, 2008, 09:55 PM
 
I lived in Singapore for 8 years till last last year. Feel free to PM/email me and I can offer some suggestions. Include what your interests are.

That said, check out the PAC, the Esplanade to see if any concerts or shows are going on. Boat Quay and Clarke Quay have lots of nice restaurants and bars. Foodie heaven.

The zoo is quite nice but try and make time for the Night Safari. It part of the zoo but as it says, it runs at night. Lets you see lots of the animals in a different light (or lack thereof).

Not sure if the Big Wheel (a la London) is up, or how far the casinos are, but those might be interesting if you have the time.

Orchard Road is the main shopping area and there are tons of places if you like to shop, or window shop, or people watch.

Check out a neighborhood like Little India. So different than others such as Chinatown (yes, Singapore has a Chinatown). Great food too if you like Indian.

Funan mall is the electronics mall. Lots of good stuff there. Sim Lim is more for the DYI PC folk. There's also an Apple shop at Orchard in the heart of the malls but I preferred Funan (foo-nahn).

Get foot reflexology. It hurts but also feels so good.

Oh, and there are plenty of dodgy things to do as well (just not drugs aside from alcohol) if so inclined.

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legacyb4
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Aug 14, 2008, 10:02 PM
 
Night market is great or at least it was when I last visited some 10 years ago...

Either way, eat eat eat!
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Meneldil
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Aug 15, 2008, 12:09 AM
 
The Singapore Flyer (observation wheel) is up, the casinos integrated resorts aren't.

Lots of bars and really wide selection of food. Chili crab is good, especially if you get one of the monster crabs that doesn't require fiddling to eat. Booze is expensive.

Night Safari is worth seeing as mentioned. Neighborhoods worth seeing include Little India, Chinatown, Katong (for local food), Arab Street area (for Middle Eastern food).

You could also look at what short flights are available if you have the weekend clear. The local/budget airlines are Tiger, AirAsia, JetStar, SilkAir, those will get you to Phuket, Bangkok, KL, Jakarta, etc. Lion Air to Bali. Look on the websites for other ideas.
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red rocket
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Aug 15, 2008, 03:08 AM
 
Ladyboys.
     
Randman
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Aug 15, 2008, 03:23 AM
 
Originally Posted by red rocket View Post
Ladyboys.
Thailand, unless you pick up a working "gal" at Orchard Towers, aka 4 floors or whores.

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Paco500
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Aug 15, 2008, 06:14 AM
 
Damn I wished this thread had been up last week. I just got back from there yesterday and was extremely disappointed. Granted, I spent the majority of my time at the Hotel or in meetings, but the entire island seemed to me to be a sterile, western suburban city. We went to Orchard Street and saw all the same shops you have in the US and UK- no local color. Chinatown was less exotic by far to Chinatown in San Fran or even Washington, DC. Our hosts kept taking us to Western Restaurants- we had Italian, Mexican and Generic American (burgers and such). All perfectly good, but I was in the Far East and it never felt like it.

And my hotel sucked (avoid the Copthorne Orchid like the plague).

I wish I’d know about little India or the Electronics mall.
     
Meneldil
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Aug 15, 2008, 08:20 AM
 
Originally Posted by Paco500 View Post
Granted, I spent the majority of my time at the Hotel or in meetings, but the entire island seemed to me to be a sterile, western suburban city. ... All perfectly good, but I was in the Far East and it never felt like it.
To be honest that's sort of how I feel about it, and I've been here almost 2 years. Job is great, but after living in Shanghai, Singapore is missing something. A vibe, excitement, energy or something. It's definitely worth a visit, and I wouldn't mind being based here if I could travel all the time (and I travel about once a month already) but it just doesn't feel right for me.
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Aug 15, 2008, 11:31 AM
 
Originally Posted by red rocket View Post
Ladyboys.
HAha.. .Boy of the niiiiight.
     
Oisín
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Aug 15, 2008, 11:40 AM
 
Throw chewing gum in the street.

There, that’s your weekend taken care of.
     
Randman
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Aug 15, 2008, 12:09 PM
 
Originally Posted by Paco500 View Post
Damn I wished this thread had been up last week. I just got back from there yesterday and was extremely disappointed. Granted, I spent the majority of my time at the Hotel or in meetings, but the entire island seemed to me to be a sterile, western suburban city. We went to Orchard Street and saw all the same shops you have in the US and UK- no local color. Chinatown was less exotic by far to Chinatown in San Fran or even Washington, DC. Our hosts kept taking us to Western Restaurants- we had Italian, Mexican and Generic American (burgers and such). All perfectly good, but I was in the Far East and it never felt like it.

And my hotel sucked (avoid the Copthorne Orchid like the plague).

I wish I’d know about little India or the Electronics mall.
Sounds like you got the sanitized view. It has been called the world's biggest mall and DIsneyland with a death penalty but if you get past all of that, there is charm to be found.

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Nawoo
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Aug 15, 2008, 01:30 PM
 
i've lived in Singapore my whole life (well accept for the 4 years i spent in the US for college), and i still don't know what to do in Singapore

it's all about eating and shopping. Tourist attractions suck. You'd be better off just walking around the heartland and really trying out the food.
     
Randman
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Aug 15, 2008, 03:58 PM
 
Pulua Ubin is a nice for a day of biking and getting away from the overt commercialism. Fish market can be interesting. Spend some time strolling on the East Coast by the beach. Macritchey Reservoir is nice if the monkeys aren't too rowdy. Grab a MRT subway ticket and just get on and off and explore the different areas, especially in the heartland. Changi Airport is practically a tourist destination in itself. Cross over to Malaysia and check out the scene in Johor Bahru (but watch for more crime). On a longer trip, take the train to Kuala Lumpur. Splurge and head over to Raffles for some old-time expat royalty.

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moonmonkey  (op)
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Aug 15, 2008, 11:26 PM
 
Thanks everyone, shopping or hookers are not a big deal for me (see my location)
I think will get pleasantly pissed at the quays and go and annoy the monkeys at the night safari.

I know some people thinks Singapore is soulless, but I suggest you spend a weekend in a travel lodge in Birmingham (UK) to get a good idea of how bad things can get.

Cheers everyone.
     
chichow
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Aug 25, 2008, 01:12 PM
 
If you are going to the zoo, understand that its not easy to get to like the rest of Singapore via the Mass Tran.

It takes a lot longer to get there (maybe more than an hr by taxi from central Singapore), so just factor that in.
     
chichow
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Aug 25, 2008, 01:13 PM
 
There is some good chili or pepper crab at the various quays
     
chichow
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Aug 25, 2008, 01:14 PM
 
actually noticing where you are coming from, Singapore has some nice green space compared to Hong Kong.

Try the botanical gardens. Its also close to Orchard Road area.
     
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Aug 25, 2008, 09:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by chichow View Post
There is some good chili or pepper crab at the various quays
Seconded. Do bring a bib or an extra shirt though. Those things are hella messy to eat, yet heavenly.

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Aug 25, 2008, 09:16 PM
 
Eat dog and cat meat? Rats?
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Randman
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Aug 26, 2008, 12:16 AM
 
Originally Posted by RAILhead View Post
Eat dog and cat meat? Rats?
Ignorance must be bliss for you.


Anyway, even better than the chili crab is a small but pricey shop in Geylang (Geylang 42, iirc). They have crab bee hoon. Anthony Bourdain, for one, has raved about it a few times. It's like chili crab but mixed with a tasty bee hoon. Ambiance is not the places forte and you should be prepared to wait but it is one of the best places to eat in Singapore.
Any taxi driver will know it. And even though it's on the fringe of the red light district, there are plenty of eating shops in the area and it's very popular with families so you won't be out of place asking to go to Geylang for it.

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moonmonkey  (op)
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Aug 27, 2008, 06:53 AM
 
Originally Posted by chichow View Post
actually noticing where you are coming from, Singapore has some nice green space compared to Hong Kong.

Try the botanical gardens. Its also close to Orchard Road area.
Thanks im close to there so will have a look.
Just for your info Hong Kong is 75% rainforrest, with 50% of land designated country parks, so lots of green already!
     
moonmonkey  (op)
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Aug 27, 2008, 06:54 AM
 
Originally Posted by Randman View Post
Ignorance must be bliss for you.


Anyway, even better than the chili crab is a small but pricey shop in Geylang (Geylang 42, iirc). They have crab bee hoon. Anthony Bourdain, for one, has raved about it a few times. It's like chili crab but mixed with a tasty bee hoon. Ambiance is not the places forte and you should be prepared to wait but it is one of the best places to eat in Singapore.
Any taxi driver will know it. And even though it's on the fringe of the red light district, there are plenty of eating shops in the area and it's very popular with families so you won't be out of place asking to go to Geylang for it.

Great, good advise, thanks!
     
chichow
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Aug 27, 2008, 03:03 PM
 
Originally Posted by moonmonkey View Post
Thanks im close to there so will have a look.
Just for your info Hong Kong is 75% rainforrest, with 50% of land designated country parks, so lots of green already!
I don't know where you are in HK (new territories, what not), but Singapore has lots of green space ALL around. Its much more integrated into the city, then HK. HK though is much more hustle and bustle and higher pay for that matter than Singapore.

Seriously, check out the botanical garden esp if it is near you. Its free unless you go in to see the Orchids and the fact that you are right there on Orchard Road makes it a no brainer
     
olePigeon
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Aug 27, 2008, 03:16 PM
 
Originally Posted by moonmonkey View Post
I know some people thinks Singapore is soulless
Of course it is, Seoul's in South Korea.

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Aug 27, 2008, 03:44 PM
 
Originally Posted by olePigeon View Post
Of course it is, Seoul's in South Korea.

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