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By Christine Becksted
If there is a country that might be mistaken for Disneyland, it might be
Singapore.
This little Asian oasis is clean, safe, organized, and has a distinctly western flair carefully crafted around the Indian, Chinese, and Maylay influences. Most everyone speaks English but if you want to have a little fun, throw around a little Singlish and stir things up! www.talkingcock.com
The first amazing thing you will experience is the
Changhi
Airport
. As long as you’re not a drug dealer or thinking about distributing porn, customs will be a breeze and you can easily clear it and get your luggage in under ½ hour. I’m not kidding.
Getting around town is about as easy as your trip through Customs. Taking a taxi is as simple as stepping to the curb and giving a royal wave; taxi fares are around S$2.40 then S$.10 per mile. Want to pre-book? No problem. Visit the following website for a complete listing of cab companies and their rates: www.getforme.com/taxi.htm But one of my favorite ways of getting around Singapore is by bus and subway –
Singapore
’s MRT. Buy yourself an EZ Link card at one of the kiosks in the subway stations, then just tap it on the reader as you enter and exit the bus (turnstiles at the subway) and it will do all of the math for you. Also look into The Visitors Card - it is a transportation card but includes additional discounts for sightseeing and guided tours.
Singapore is known for its shopping and Orchard Road is the shopping Mecca for the
Lion
City
. To get more bang for that
Singapore
buck, time your visit to correspond with “The Great Singapore Sale” from May thru July. Once you have emptied your wallet, find a place to prop up your feet and show them that you love them with a proper foot massage. There is no shortage of foot reflexology options that will cater to your sore soles - from “spa-like” surroundings to very inexpensive venues that are run by therapists with vision disabilities. This is a luxury that you just don’t want to miss.
If landing in
Singapore
for a couple of days, make room in your calendar for a trip to the Night Safari. This is truly a unique experience as the animals are more rambunctious when the sun goes down. The lions roar, the deer run free…one might think you were experiencing the real deal if it weren’t for the battery powered trams lugging around those who refuse to walk. For the rest of your nights, frolic with the locals and the tourists in the bars on Mohammed Sultan Street and Club Street, or head down to the Quays: Clark Quay and Boat Quay have an outstanding selection of food and entertainment.
 If you want someplace completely unique to lay your head at night, consider The Scarlet Boutique Hotel (33 Erskine Road – phone: +65 6511 3333). She’s definitely vivacious and a little bit naughty. If you’re hungry, head to her restaurant Desire - the menu is filled with yummy food dressed in decadent monikers. If you’re thirsty head for Bold and watch the fashionistas work the room. But, if you simply want to relax in a lush mediteranean setting then head for Breeze – her rooftop oasis. All contribute to making The Scarlet an entertaining place to stay.
For foodies,
Singapore
is an amusement park full of fun fusion dishes, authentic Indian food served on banana leaves, mouthwatering Malay, the finest international cuisine, and scary stuff like Durian. The following are some suggestions – ah except for the Durian…if you want to experience that then just follow your nose!
-
East Coast
Seafood
Center
– There are several restaurants here to satisfy your appetite. Shop for your live seafood and the veggies you want with it, then tell the cook to make some magic! Be advised - ask the cost and then do the math before you send your catch to the cook; a cute little 2lb lobster could have the last laugh when the bill comes at the end of your meal! Try the Chili Crab but don’t wear your best shirt! Address: Blk 1206 East Coast Parkway #01-07/08 (on the way to
Changi
Airport
) Phone: +65 6442 3435
- Samy’s Restaurant – some like it hot AND on a banana leaf. Shorts and a t-shirt might be too dressy here but come with an appetite and leave with a belly full of curry! Address: 25 Dempsey Road, Civil Service Club, Phone 6472 2080
- PS Café – trendy café that is part of the Dempsey Road Enclave. Perfect spot for a Sunday brunch. Lots of good food to nosh but make reservations: www.pscafe.sg Address: 28b Harding Road, Phone: +65 9070 8782/6479 3343
- Brewerkz Microbrewery and Restaurant – need a burger with a good brew and a great view? This is your place - located in the scenic Clark Quay. Grab a beer sampler if you are overwhelmed with the choices of tremendous microbrewed beer and when your belly starts grumbling, satisfy it with a full rack of tender BBQ pork ribs. Address: 30 Merchant Road #01-05/06 Riverside Point, Phone: +65 6438 7438
-
Want a romantic dinner? Choose from the following and you can’t go wrong:-
-
Indochine Waterfront – there are a couple of these restaurants around town but the most romantic setting is the one over looking the River by the Asian Civilisations Museum (phone +65 6339 1720
-
Equinox - on the 69th floor of the Swisshotel (phone +65 6837 3322). Expensive but it might be the best view of the city.
- Want to take a cooking class while you’re in town? There are no less than 6 options available! Take a peek at the Uniquely Singapore website – www.visitsingapore.com – and click “Where to Eat”, then on the dropdown menu you will find a listing for Culinary Classes. Impress your friends when you whip up a scrumptious Asian delight for them back home
Did I give you enough to do and see on your visit to the shores of
Singapore
? If not, then go take a jog around the Botanic Gardens, visit Little India or Chinatown, go to Silk Street and spend hours looking at bolts of gorgeous material, visit one of the 20 or so museums, go line-dancing with the locals at Far East Square, boogie your butt off at Powerhouse, or just relax and have a Singapore Sling if you must. I guarantee you just won’t be bored.
Images courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board
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