What does Singapore have that other SE Asian countries don't?
Feb 12, 2015, 4:18 pm
#226
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As a local I'm rather bemused to see such passions ignite over this small island. Having lived and work in other countries, I'd say Singapore just makes every effort to welcome tourists, and in a tried and tested way that works. You could book a flight, step off the plane at Changi with zero clue of what to do, and 15 minutes later emerge from tourist info with a decent and reliable plan for the next 3 days. Try doing that in most of SEA, or god forbid, South America.
And hotels. Compared to anywhere else in the developed world, they're pretty affordable, no? If you don't need 5 star luxury, the online hotel aggregators often have good deals especially on boutique hotels. I like the heritage-building properties myself, around Jalan Sultan, Keong Saik Road or Joo Chiat. It's the mix of modern and traditional that defines the heartlands in a quintessentially Singaporean way.
And hotels. Compared to anywhere else in the developed world, they're pretty affordable, no? If you don't need 5 star luxury, the online hotel aggregators often have good deals especially on boutique hotels. I like the heritage-building properties myself, around Jalan Sultan, Keong Saik Road or Joo Chiat. It's the mix of modern and traditional that defines the heartlands in a quintessentially Singaporean way.
But it does set standards on quality of life and safety standards as well as cleanliness and transport efficiency.
It has it's own problems as a nation and the cost to visit Singapore is very expensive.
But you pay for what you get...
Feb 12, 2015, 5:05 pm
#227
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After the closure of US bases in the Philippines in 1992, the United States has benefited from a series of access agreements and other arrangements with Southeast Asian partners that have supported continued U.S. military engagement. These arrangements, including port calls, repair facilities, training ranges and logistics support, have become increasingly important to the US overseas presence. For example, Singapore announced in early 1998 that its Changi Naval Station, which became operational in the year 2000, would be available to U.S. naval combatants and include a pier which can accommodate American aircraft carriers. In January 1998, the United States and the Philippines negotiated a Visiting Forces Agreement that, when ratified, will permit routine combined exercises and training, and ship visits. Thailand remains an important refueling and transit point for possible operations to neighboring trouble spots, including the Arabian Gulf. Australia has long provided key access to facilities for U.S. unilateral and combined exercises.
Feb 12, 2015, 9:23 pm
#228
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In the interests of accuracy
After the closure of US bases in the Philippines in 1992, the United States has benefited from a series of access agreements and other arrangements with Southeast Asian partners that have supported continued U.S. military engagement. These arrangements, including port calls, repair facilities, training ranges and logistics support, have become increasingly important to the US overseas presence. For example, Singapore announced in early 1998 that its Changi Naval Station, which became operational in the year 2000, would be available to U.S. naval combatants and include a pier which can accommodate American aircraft carriers. In January 1998, the United States and the Philippines negotiated a Visiting Forces Agreement that, when ratified, will permit routine combined exercises and training, and ship visits. Thailand remains an important refueling and transit point for possible operations to neighboring trouble spots, including the Arabian Gulf. Australia has long provided key access to facilities for U.S. unilateral and combined exercises.
After the closure of US bases in the Philippines in 1992, the United States has benefited from a series of access agreements and other arrangements with Southeast Asian partners that have supported continued U.S. military engagement. These arrangements, including port calls, repair facilities, training ranges and logistics support, have become increasingly important to the US overseas presence. For example, Singapore announced in early 1998 that its Changi Naval Station, which became operational in the year 2000, would be available to U.S. naval combatants and include a pier which can accommodate American aircraft carriers. In January 1998, the United States and the Philippines negotiated a Visiting Forces Agreement that, when ratified, will permit routine combined exercises and training, and ship visits. Thailand remains an important refueling and transit point for possible operations to neighboring trouble spots, including the Arabian Gulf. Australia has long provided key access to facilities for U.S. unilateral and combined exercises.
Mar 4, 2015, 6:04 am
#229
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Singapore
Posts: 977
You can still get good quality hawker food in Singapore as well as many other types of delicious food. Food, that is what most Singaporeans miss when we travel overseas.
Newton Food Center where I had lunch not too long ago, only this time I decided to make a video my Satay, Char Kway Teow, Chendol and Coconut drink.
http://youtu.be/qlxP5P3JiY4
Had supper at a coffee shop and this was my wonderful Hor Fun (Thick Flat noodles)
http://youtu.be/I69XW73ZB2w
Of course, we cannot forget chicken rice.
http://youtu.be/My8nxPEswuI
Yeah, no wonder I can't keep the weight off.
Newton Food Center where I had lunch not too long ago, only this time I decided to make a video my Satay, Char Kway Teow, Chendol and Coconut drink.
http://youtu.be/qlxP5P3JiY4
Had supper at a coffee shop and this was my wonderful Hor Fun (Thick Flat noodles)
http://youtu.be/I69XW73ZB2w
Of course, we cannot forget chicken rice.
http://youtu.be/My8nxPEswuI
Yeah, no wonder I can't keep the weight off.
Mar 5, 2015, 7:13 pm
#230
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
But when y'all travel overseas, you are visiting the places of origin of most food commonly found in Singapore...save for dishes with a Peranakan/local flair such as chili crab and carrot cake!
Mar 5, 2015, 8:15 pm
#231
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You can still get good quality hawker food in Singapore as well as many other types of delicious food. Food, that is what most Singaporeans miss when we travel overseas.
Newton Food Center where I had lunch not too long ago, only this time I decided to make a video my Satay, Char Kway Teow, Chendol and Coconut drink.
http://youtu.be/qlxP5P3JiY4
Had supper at a coffee shop and this was my wonderful Hor Fun (Thick Flat noodles)
http://youtu.be/I69XW73ZB2w
Of course, we cannot forget chicken rice.
http://youtu.be/My8nxPEswuI
Yeah, no wonder I can't keep the weight off.
Newton Food Center where I had lunch not too long ago, only this time I decided to make a video my Satay, Char Kway Teow, Chendol and Coconut drink.
http://youtu.be/qlxP5P3JiY4
Had supper at a coffee shop and this was my wonderful Hor Fun (Thick Flat noodles)
http://youtu.be/I69XW73ZB2w
Of course, we cannot forget chicken rice.
http://youtu.be/My8nxPEswuI
Yeah, no wonder I can't keep the weight off.
(although even higher alcohol prices probably also contributed a factor, as I drink much less too. The heat makes it tempting sometimes, though...)
Mar 6, 2015, 12:28 am
#232
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LOL. Very true. You might also add intermittent haze from Indonesian burning (though it hasn't been bad recently).
Mar 6, 2015, 3:13 am
#233
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Singapore
Posts: 977
Mar 6, 2015, 3:16 am
#234
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Singapore
Posts: 977
As someone who likes my beer (more than is probably advisable), it's actually not too bad if you stay away from the super expat and visitor focussed places at the Quays, Duxton, Holland Village, etc.... Furthermore, even in those areas, there are lots of happy hour deals til 8 or 9. Even better, at Hawker Centers, a Tiger or Carlsberg is typically about $8SGD (less than $6USD at today's exchange rate) for 600ml.
Mar 6, 2015, 3:22 am
#235
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To be honest ... beer isn't cheap but actually is s$7 or s$8 a lot for a pint of frozen Tiger with a couple of frozen glasses. Same as London prices. Not cheap ... but not too bad!
Mar 6, 2015, 5:18 am
#236
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Hmm... the uncle/auntie at the two hawker centres I go to charge $6.50 for a 640ml bottle of Carlsberg, less (I think) for same size Tiger. Then again, these are heartland hawker centres...
The folks at Newton hawker centre are known to be 'entrepreneurial' in their pricing considering their heavy tourist/expat business focus. As an alternative, Zion Road hawker centre is close to the Orchard tourist belt but more sensible (and stable) in their pricing at it actually services HDB estates (reasonably) close by.
To be fair, isn't 640ml a little more than a pint?
To be fair, isn't 640ml a little more than a pint?
Last edited by dsgtc0408; Mar 6, 2015 at 5:25 am
Mar 6, 2015, 6:35 am
#238
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Singapore
Posts: 977
Oh yes, we have plenty of cheesy National Day songs and some really good ones!
NDP 2012 - Love at First Sight - super cheesy.
http://youtu.be/ANTvzs6Hzpc
NDP 2011 Theme Song - In a Heartbeat. One of the better songs in recent years.
http://youtu.be/VIgoiKKa9_E
The most famous - Home. This songs will make true Singaporeans cry when they miss home.
http://youtu.be/qTkVG6lWvwY
NDP 2012 - Love at First Sight - super cheesy.
http://youtu.be/ANTvzs6Hzpc
NDP 2011 Theme Song - In a Heartbeat. One of the better songs in recent years.
http://youtu.be/VIgoiKKa9_E
The most famous - Home. This songs will make true Singaporeans cry when they miss home.
http://youtu.be/qTkVG6lWvwY
Mar 6, 2015, 7:55 am
#239
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My favourite.
It seems that SG is probably the only place where queuing up is civilized and without complains about the line being too slow/inefficient like HK
