What does Singapore have that other SE Asian countries don't?
Aug 26, 2014, 11:24 am
#136
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,154
For a few days it is as much about what you avoid as much as what you take in.
I'll miss some but first shot ...
Tiong Bahru, LPS, Orchid Garden, Chinese Garden, China Town with Food Centea, Asian Heritage Museum, Peranakan Museum, Baba House, Arab area, perhaps the Zoo, some named and specific hawker center and food courts, an evening walk but no eating at Clarkes Quay, an evening walk around Fullerton for the light show and atmosphere ...
EDITED: I'd like to see some better guides and maps as to how extensive and joined up are the air-conditioned underground walkways are. They are much more connected and extensive than most visitors will know or find out about.
On questioning perhaps Orchard, perhaps the Birds and less so Sentosa. I don't get Sentosa at all, and feel much the same about Gardens by The Bay but understand that visitors should probably see them.
Does this make me a bad person?
I'll miss some but first shot ...
Tiong Bahru, LPS, Orchid Garden, Chinese Garden, China Town with Food Centea, Asian Heritage Museum, Peranakan Museum, Baba House, Arab area, perhaps the Zoo, some named and specific hawker center and food courts, an evening walk but no eating at Clarkes Quay, an evening walk around Fullerton for the light show and atmosphere ...
EDITED: I'd like to see some better guides and maps as to how extensive and joined up are the air-conditioned underground walkways are. They are much more connected and extensive than most visitors will know or find out about.
On questioning perhaps Orchard, perhaps the Birds and less so Sentosa. I don't get Sentosa at all, and feel much the same about Gardens by The Bay but understand that visitors should probably see them.
Does this make me a bad person?
This is well worth seeing and gives you much more perspective on how big (or small depending on your pov) Singapore is, how it's spaced out, a view into the various parts of the city, not to mention a very detailed view of the core (central) area and in which direction everything is heading (you'll see what's planned but hasn't been built yet).
If you check out the MRT map you'll see a "Downtown" station which is a slightly chilling thought considering there is not much there yet.
Aug 26, 2014, 11:54 am
#137
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 11,969
If you're going to Chinatown and are going to be close to the Maxwell hawker place then you really ought to check out the URA's Singapore City Gallery: http://www.ura.gov.sg/uol/citygallery
This is well worth seeing and gives you much more perspective on how big (or small depending on your pov) Singapore is, how it's spaced out, a view into the various parts of the city, not to mention a very detailed view of the core (central) area and in which direction everything is heading (you'll see what's planned but hasn't been built yet).
If you check out the MRT map you'll see a "Downtown" station which is a slightly chilling thought considering there is not much there yet.
This is well worth seeing and gives you much more perspective on how big (or small depending on your pov) Singapore is, how it's spaced out, a view into the various parts of the city, not to mention a very detailed view of the core (central) area and in which direction everything is heading (you'll see what's planned but hasn't been built yet).
If you check out the MRT map you'll see a "Downtown" station which is a slightly chilling thought considering there is not much there yet.
I went to Downtown station on my last visit deciding to wander there from Satay street rather than back to Raffles. I thought it would be closer because as you know when you get to Raffles you're only half way to the platform ....
Downtown felt like is was in a field. Really strange. The new line is really great as you can get from Bugis to Chinatown without a change. I'm looking forward to the Bugis to Little India bit.
Aug 26, 2014, 7:20 pm
#138
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Terra Australis Cognita
Posts: 5,350
The name is misleading. 
It's Downtown as in New Downtown, meaning there isn't a "downtown" there yet, but they hope there will be one in 20 years or so, once they finishing filling in the empty space between the 'old' downtown (Robinson Rd area) and the casino.
It's Downtown as in New Downtown, meaning there isn't a "downtown" there yet, but they hope there will be one in 20 years or so, once they finishing filling in the empty space between the 'old' downtown (Robinson Rd area) and the casino.
Aug 27, 2014, 1:24 am
#139
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,446
Didn't know about the URA's Singapore City Gallery - while in fact being nearby almost every stay to Singapore. Will definitely visit it next week ^
I loved a similar place in Shanghai (on people's square/near Nanjing Lu) about their city development (obviously entry there was not free
) so I'm sure the one in Singapore will be interesting for me as well.
I loved a similar place in Shanghai (on people's square/near Nanjing Lu) about their city development (obviously entry there was not free
) so I'm sure the one in Singapore will be interesting for me as well.
Aug 27, 2014, 6:50 am
#140
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,154
Aug 27, 2014, 7:35 am
#141
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 11,969
Anyway.
Aug 27, 2014, 8:11 am
#142
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
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Posts: 5,154
You could always move to a hotel in a better location. 
The Grand Copthorne Waterfront would even be a nice change and right where you'd want to be in the evenings: along the river, the entire stretch between Robertson Quay and the Grand Copthorne Waterfront.
How is the lounge btw, is it the usual 6-8pm? Good choice of beers or only locally-made Tiger/Heineyuck? With the amounts of days you are spending here I'm surprised you haven't moved to the Swissotel chain where you could alternate between both of their properties (and both are very well-placed) and make use of some great lounges (the view from the Stamford one is spectacular, though the one from the Merchant Court isn't bad either).
The Grand Copthorne Waterfront would even be a nice change and right where you'd want to be in the evenings: along the river, the entire stretch between Robertson Quay and the Grand Copthorne Waterfront.How is the lounge btw, is it the usual 6-8pm? Good choice of beers or only locally-made Tiger/Heineyuck? With the amounts of days you are spending here I'm surprised you haven't moved to the Swissotel chain where you could alternate between both of their properties (and both are very well-placed) and make use of some great lounges (the view from the Stamford one is spectacular, though the one from the Merchant Court isn't bad either).
Aug 27, 2014, 8:27 am
#143
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 11,969
You could always move to a hotel in a better location. The Grand Copthorne Waterfront would even be a nice change and right where you'd want to be in the evenings: along the river, the entire stretch between Robertson Quay and the Grand Copthorne Waterfront.
How is the lounge btw, is it the usual 6-8pm? Good choice of beers or only locally-made Tiger/Heineyuck? With the amounts of days you are spending here I'm surprised you haven't moved to the Swissotel chain where you could alternate between both of their properties (and both are very well-placed) and make use of some great lounges (the view from the Stamford one is spectacular, though the one from the Merchant Court isn't bad either).
The Grand Copthorne Waterfront would even be a nice change and right where you'd want to be in the evenings: along the river, the entire stretch between Robertson Quay and the Grand Copthorne Waterfront.How is the lounge btw, is it the usual 6-8pm? Good choice of beers or only locally-made Tiger/Heineyuck? With the amounts of days you are spending here I'm surprised you haven't moved to the Swissotel chain where you could alternate between both of their properties (and both are very well-placed) and make use of some great lounges (the view from the Stamford one is spectacular, though the one from the Merchant Court isn't bad either).
The lounge is perfect. I managed a couple of years ago to get the kids out during cocktail hour and it is sublime.
Jan 23, 2015, 7:57 pm
#146
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
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Posts: 6,899
Jan 23, 2015, 10:04 pm
#147
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 550
Jan 24, 2015, 4:15 pm
#149
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Didn't know about the URA's Singapore City Gallery - while in fact being nearby almost every stay to Singapore. Will definitely visit it next week ^
I loved a similar place in Shanghai (on people's square/near Nanjing Lu) about their city development (obviously entry there was not free ) so I'm sure the one in Singapore will be interesting for me as well.
I loved a similar place in Shanghai (on people's square/near Nanjing Lu) about their city development (obviously entry there was not free
) so I'm sure the one in Singapore will be interesting for me as well.
Jan 25, 2015, 6:48 pm
#150
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Tokyo
Programs: SPG LT Plat ANA Plat
Posts: 596
As suggested by foreign travel advisory from the United Kingdom, petty crime such as pickpocketing and street theft do occur in Singapore although violent crime is deemed rare. Threats of terrorism remain as a major concern,[1] with credit card fraud cases being indicated as another security warning by the United States Department of State.[2] As a constant reminder from western consulars such as the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, penalties for drug offences in Singapore remain severe and include capital punishment.[3]
So be careful, the government plays down the problems so as not to scare away tourist but there is plenty of crime here,
