dnajockey

When I lived in SIN (so my comments up-thread are not those of a single visit) the taxi drivers bought the license with no equivalent of "The Knowledge". This resulted in about 1 in 5 of my drivers not being able to take me to work .... one of the two largest hospitals on the Island.

Horris

Hong Kong is spectacular if you want to sit and look at the harbour, but beyond Victoria Peak and the Star Ferry, I don't find it a particularly interesting city.

I've been to Singapore maybe 5-6 times, always en route to or from somewhere else, and always enjoyed my stays there. Great hotels, great food, nice and hot (perhaps too humid for some people's liking) and big enough (though not too big) to keep you occupied for a couple of days.

ColdWalker

I meant to add, so many people stay in the city. But there is so much to see travelling round the island. Changi is very moving IMHO, raffles marina and club for true luxury! Kepple bay,.... But in 24 hours that probably isn't practical.

cat 35

they work and are a bargain but blimey sometimes its not as easy as people make out. sliding about in the back of an older one on the vinyl during the relentless gas brake gas can be hard work if jetlagged too. the shift change palarver can be a pain as well if you are not used to it and need one in a hurry.

i do love the bossy marshall woman at SIN though it always makes me smile after a long flight, there is no messing about with her.

as a Londoner I find it difficult to be impressed with any other citys cabs though, parochially.

INDFlyer

Sixth Freedom, that's a cool reward, enjoy your trip, is your employer recruiting

uk1

Not experienced it. Always do JetQuay.

WhitePlains

The most important difference being that in US it is not a mandatory death sentence. In Singapore it is: if one is carrying 15 grams or more, it is death: whether that person was aware of it or not.

Besides, not all people in US support the death penalty.

WhitePlains

If you need a fake new watch: then BKK is the place to buy it.

Sixth Freedom

Thanks for the advice chaps. ^

I think that the Botanical Gardens are the place to go and occupy myself. It is always nice to see plenty of good greenery after being here in the desert for a while.

uk1

I do understand your point. But you raised the context of justice in Singapore from your standpoint as an American. And the impostion of the death penalty in America is a bit of a lottery - often with very little to do with justice.

May I just raise the following point if I promise I won't pursue it further!

Most Brits - and perhaps many Americans - might be unaware that for example in Florida, having had a "hand picked" jury (if you get my meaning ) that a conclusion of guilt can be arrived at by a simply majority (ie not found guilty "beyond all doubt" as in British Law) and that the same jury will in capital cases vote on whether a death penalty be imposed. Although currently being debated - it is not the judge who decides and that decision again is decided on a simple majority ie 7 out of 12 jurors. So a majority verdict followed by a majority arrived at sentence from a hand-picked jury that has no chance of being commuted by the Governor.

The defendant is often represented by a court appointed lawyer of variable quality and my link below gives some detail of how poor these lawyers can be. The so called appeals procedure involves a politican - governor - arbitrating on whether the sentence be carried out. The politician has often campaigned on being a death penalty supporter and knows he will be unelectable if he commutes any sentences whatsoever.

The condemed person can then languish on death row for decades - often being prepared for death and sometimes being taken and strapped into the instruments of execution - only then to receive a last minute reprieve. Most people would consider that appalling torture. The justice system in the US as you (may) know is not justice driven but process driven.

I only detail this because I think it reasonable to remind - and a genuinely friendly reminder to someone who may even share the same views - that there is no position of strength that any of us can really pronounce from on justice in Singapore! At least it can be described as being very clear .... and Singapore has as a result provided a safe place for it's citizens. Something many of us envy!

Moderator apology in advance. Pith helmet on.

uk1

I'm not an orchid man .... . but the Orchid Garden in the Royal Botanic Gardens is wonderful. Go just as it opens and walk in the opposite to the arrow directions so that you pass rather than follow people. My tip of the day!

cat 35

hotel wise of course you are spoilt for choice in most ranges but on a budget Hotel Re pearls hill (chin swee road for the inevitable debate with the cabby) is my new recent favourite. converted school done out very bonkers-ly. you get the choice of elvis or marilyn monroe rooms each as garish as the other. very very reasonable and good fun.

747_not_777

Not read all of the above, but dont waste your time going up the Marina Bay Sands development (the three towers). If you are purely paying to go up for a look as a tourist, it's pretty naff up top. We were massively let-down by it - far far far better was the Singapore Flyer (amazing).

Shame your timings won't really work for doing the Night Zoo - that's incredible too.

Enjoy!

Oh - and I can recommend the Club Floor @ The Mandarin Oriental.

origin

^ +1

It was my fav hotel as well when I went over there.

RayG

Sounds exactly like my ideal day in SIN. Having been to other parts of Asia, I always like going back to SIN for the right mix of eating (I love the variety) and doing nothing.