singapore
The
cleanest city in the world, Singapore developed from being just a port in a
British colony to become one of the world’s most metropolitan cities.
Quick facts:
Visa: apply at the country of residence. (needs some paperwork)
Time zone: GMT +8
Location, Boarders: South-East Asia, Malaysia & Indonesia
Capital: Singapore
Language: English, Mandarin, Malay & Tamil
Currency: Singapore Dollar, 1USD = 1.27 SD,
Price guide: pepsi can = 1SD
Singapore
(the city):
Before
I start with the review I’would like to say “skip the flyer go to marina bay
sands instead” I will explain shortly.
Singapore is a one-city country. The people are
extremely obsessed with shopping, so there are massive malls in orchard rd.
area and all over the country. As Singapore is known with its ridiculously
strict laws (will be mentioned later), the people has a good sense of humor
about it.
Where
to stay
Most
budget hostels are around Chinatown MRT and Lavender MRT stations; though the
dorm bed rates starts at 16 SD which is not really cheap.
Beware,
don’t get fined:
Chewing
gum: 100SD
Littering:
1000SD
Spitting:
500SD
Somking:
500SD….. and so on
Sights:
Singapore
Zoo:
www.zoo.com.sg after leaving the zoo go to the night safari
enternace area (if you are leaving at closing hours) as there is a fire show
for free.
Night
Safari: it is reviewed as a must visit destination, but I
can’t see why (personal opinion).
Its
grounds are bigger than the zoo’s but you have much less time, I would say take
the walking trails first then finish with the tram ride as the both cover
different routes. Go to the creatures of the night show only if you have the
time and you would be able to get back with transport.
Singapore
Flyer: admission 30SD, it is the highest ferrous wheel n
the world, it used to be a good way to vie Singapore from a high point of view
until MBS in mid 2010. Now it is just boring and worthless.
Marina
Bay Sands: admission 20SD, this architectural land mark opened
in mid 2010 with a famous observation deck as long as the Eifel tower on the 56th
floor. Why should you go instead of the flyer?? It is higher, no glass to
obstruct the photography, cheaper and you can spend as much time as you want.
The downside is that the swimming pool of the hotel is in the middle of the
deck but it is only accessible to hotel guests only.
Sentosa
Island: Sentosa is the playground for Singaporeans it used
to consume 1 day of Singapore itinerary but after Universal Studios theme park
has opened; it can easily take 2 days. Admission is 1SD
·
Songs of the Sea
show: book the ticket as soon as you reach the island as
the tickets are sold out fast. Fee: 10SD
·
Universal
Studios: admission 66SD (week days), 72SD (weekends and
public holidays)
·
Beaches for
water sports and relaxation
·
Check out the
latest shows and their schedule
Reaching
Sentosa: arrive at harbor front MRT station, then walk (500
m), take a monorail (3SD) or take the cable car (check the price, it was
expensive)
Walk:
walk around the esplanade, city hall and orchard road at day time and Clarke
Quay at night.
Parks
and hikes: Singapore occupies many parks, the most famous is
Bukit Timah if you would like to do some trekking.
Getting
Around
Public
transportation is very reliable,
for buses remember to have the exact change
for the fare
while
for MRT the tourist pass for 8SD/day is not worth it, for single use tickets
remember to refund the 1SD deposit and finally the EZ card its easy, fast and
gives 15% discount on fares but it has a nonrefundable charge of 5SD.
Getting
there and away
Basically,
you can get to Singapore probably in every possible way
International
airport, railway and roads that connects to Malaysia and as it all started as a
marine port you can arrive byy boat