Asia - In Singapore I loved........

Thought I'd pinch the heading! We are going to Singapore for the first time in the summer and are looking for recommendations of things to do and restaurants( which specialise in local dishes). Any ideas?

National Orchid Gardens

Arab Street at night

Indonesian dives

The Shopping (you'd better love shopping if you're going to SIN!)

The Night Safari

thanks for the ideas. What are the "best buys" in Singapore?

As far as restaurants go, take a look at FT Dining and display all topics. Avoid Newton Circus and similar tourist dives (or, on the other hand, enjoy them for what they are.)
Rich

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fiona:
...looking for recommendations of things to do and ......Any ideas?</font>

Fiona try the search function in the upper right hand corner of the page, numerous topics will come up with info you can use.

Also search the Travel Reports forum.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fiona:
...looking for recommendations of ... restaurants( which specialise in local dishes).......Any ideas?</font>

The Singapore Forum in FT dining has many many suggestions and links to great articles on dining in Singapore.

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fiona:
thanks for the ideas. What are the "best buys" in Singapore?</font>

Although Singapore has a lot of shopping centers and shops, it is not a shoppers' paradise in my mind in the sense of good deals. US prices for the same items are usually cheaper, don't know about Scotland.

I usually buy things that are harder to get or that are definitely more expensive at home (Chinese lotions, Hong Kong videos and music on sale, other Chinese goods) usually in Chinatown or Bugis areas rather than the usual touristy and more upscale Orchard, where designer labels abound. There is a department store in Chinatown, CK, that has good prices on clothing but examine the quality carefully.

What I buy on my semi-annual trips to Singapore are:

1) "Bee Cheng Hiang" roast pork (www.bch.com.sg)
2) VCDs of Japanese "doramas" drama-serials. They were dirt cheap as of a year ago because apparently the copyright owners pulled the rights to distribute in Singapore so all outlets were/are dumping their inventory.
3) Bolster pillows - difficult to find good ones back home.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tide:
3) Bolster pillows - difficult to find good ones back home.</font>

Giggle! If you're talking about the 6ft long cylindrical bolsters that you can barely put your arms around, I can so totally relate. I am dying to know: How do you bring it back to the US? The "body pillows" at Bed, Bath & Beyond so don't make the cut http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by siliconengineer:
US prices for the same items are usually cheaper</font>

I find luxury designer goods, especially the European brands, to be cheaper in SIN than in the US.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by blueDC:
If you're talking about the 6ft long cylindrical bolsters that you can barely put your arms around
...
How do you bring it back to the US?
</font>

They are sold wrapped in shrinkwrapped/airtight/heavyduty plastic. The one thing I am not is shy so I tie them in a bundle of 3 and check them in. Gets some stares at SIN I know but I can't sleep without them. They also fit in a large 29/30 in. luggage - you can sort of squish 2 of them in if you bend them in a crescent-shape.

You crack me up! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif Thanks for the ideas. I can't sleep without my bolster either.

thanks for all the replies. I can't imagine buying a bolster- my husband already goes demented with what I pack!

In Singapore I loved anything cooked with shrimp.

I want to hear more about the night safari, please.