Singapore Trip in September

[get me outta here]

Oh, I thought it meant 'original poster'.

Other person

 

[Steady]

Oh, I thought it meant 'original poster'.

As did I

 

[love_the_life]

Oh, I thought it meant 'original poster'.

And that's what I meant when I posted - I thought it was a standard - OP = original poster (person who starts thread).

 

[kookaburra75]

Thank you!!! It's great to know that it's ultra safe and the distances aren't high. We really want to explore the city and will use both - taxi and train, whenever appropriate. I personally want to experience their public transport for more fun and to get a little closer to the locals. Are the foods expensive too?

Some of the good sights to check out are the Botanical Gardens, and the Night Tour at the Zoo. The public transport MRT is quick and easy to get around the place. And the food courts such as the Lau Pa Sat Hawker centre are an experience. Just try what looks good.

 

[vetrade]

Thank you!!! It's great to know that it's ultra safe and the distances aren't high. We really want to explore the city and will use both - taxi and train, whenever appropriate. I personally want to experience their public transport for more fun and to get a little closer to the locals. Are the foods expensive too?

I think we can all relate to your excitement, flyhigher - you only ever have one "first OS trip" so try a bit of everything and soak it all in. I'm guessing not everyone in your party is a novice OS traveller so that should lessen the anxiety you might have if you were travelling solo. Plus SIN is a very good choice to start because it is virtually risk free - no need to limit your experiences and what you try just because you are inexperienced. Those who get the most out of travel get out of their comfort zone and engage with their host city - if you do that you will learn exponentially.

Hopefully this trip will whet your appetite for more

 

[flyhigher]

Well done and it must be exciting, and SIN is a good place to start life's international journeys. I can remember my first time arriving HKG and the adrenaline was pumping. First lesson I would suggest is don't panic when you hit the airport, everything is laid out for the many that pass through there; just read the signs. Sounds simple, but when adrenaline is pumping you can make funny decisions. Many here will give their favourite hotels which there are many, but if you want to stay at Clarke Quay there, and depending on budget, is the Novotel and the Swiss hotel. Then around Orchard you have all the big names, Hilton, Marriott, etc. But my favourite is the little Chic hotel is The Scarlet near Chinatown. wonderful little hotel and easy walk to CQ

I've listed your hotel suggestions. We're really not after the luxurious hotels since most of the day we'll be on tour. It's also good to have a cheaper but safe and comfortable hotel.

 

[flyhigher]

Some of the good sights to check out are the Botanical Gardens, and the Night Tour at the Zoo. The public transport MRT is quick and easy to get around the place. And the food courts such as the Lau Pa Sat Hawker centre are an experience. Just try what looks good.

Yes! and also the Gardens by the Sea! They all look pretty good in pictures so can't wait to visit 'em. Thank you!

 

[travelislife]

My lunch today was $5 for a chicken rice set, bloody delicious!

Dinner will probably be $100 an upmarket restaurant!

So there is every end of the scale.

 

[flyhigher]

My advise for when around Singapore, carry an umbrella or a very wide brim hat - their sun is brutal and I usually use an umbrella when walking around.

Thanks for the heads up! What month did you go there? They say it's hottest in April and May.

The food can be as cheap or as expensive as you desire! You can get a meal from local Hawker centre for $3-5 or go to a top end restaurant for whatever you want to pay. Alcohol on the other hand is very expensive. Note all food outlets (including local stalls) are regulated and are all graded for hygiene standards A, B & C. Those with A & B ratings display them prominently, C not so much, but even C rated places still have passed inspection criteria.

It's great to know that the food prices vary on what we want to eat. I'll keep the hygiene standards in mind! Thank you as I never thought of that one.

Other person

Thank you!

Oh, I thought it meant 'original poster'.

Oh, original poster is more appropriate!

I think we can all relate to your excitement, flyhigher - you only ever have one "first OS trip" so try a bit of everything and soak it all in. I'm guessing not everyone in your party is a novice OS traveller so that should lessen the anxiety you might have if you were travelling solo. Plus SIN is a very good choice to start because it is virtually risk free - no need to limit your experiences and what you try just because you are inexperienced. Those who get the most out of travel get out of their comfort zone and engage with their host city - if you do that you will learn exponentially.

Hopefully this trip will whet your appetite for more

Couldn't agree more! Most of my travels are just within the country so I can't wait to explore other countries. Posting here makes me realize that there's more than just getting excited, packing your stuff, and going to the place. I sincerely appreciate everyone's time for sharing your travel experiences, tips, suggestions.

 

[flyhigher]

My lunch today was $5 for a chicken rice set, bloody delicious!

Dinner will probably be $100 an upmarket restaurant!

So there is every end of the scale.

Agree!
And WOW for your chicken rice set!

 

[get me outta here]

You don't say if you are based in coconut country, but if not, if you see people selling large green coconuts, they make a lovely drink as you are walking around. They use a sort of machete to cut in front of you a place to insert a drinking straw.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Raffles is famous and worth a walk-through but it's horribly over rated - and don't be conned into their $34 Singapore Sling - everywhere else is half the price if you really want to try one (we recently got some free in the upstairs bar at Changi Airport just for buying some grog in the DF store).

That's a little harsh! I would put it as one of the nicest hotels I have stayed at - probably equal with Four Seasons Sultanahmet. I do agree the Long Bar is a total tourist trap - closed at the moment for renovations anyway I think - the whole hotel is being refurbished.

Gardens By the Bay is a must for a visit as is the whole little India area.

i would also go by taxi rather than train - I just love the drive with all the bougainvillea- such a lovely welcome to the place.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yes! and also the Gardens by the Sea! They all look pretty good in pictures so can't wait to visit 'em. Thank you!

they were one of our favourite things. We went twice -once in the day which was mega hot, but the two main domes are air conditioned so they were fabulous. We went again at night for the light and music show. I would sit right near the music for the first show and then go up the escalators at the Sands Hotel to get a more far away view of the lights for the second show. The MRT is terrific and we used it extensively.

 

[craven morehead]

Oh, I thought it meant 'original poster'.

I stand corrected for my hasty response :-|

 

[travelislife]

Tonight in Marina Bay.

 

[Steady]

Is Singapore a good place to utilise a 7 night Marriott voucher?

 

[Denali]

Yes! and also the Gardens by the Sea! They all look pretty good in pictures so can't wait to visit 'em. Thank you!

They have a free night, light show and the cloud conservatory (there's a entry fee) is a nice, cool place to visit to escape the heat.

If you're going to the zoo, I like to go very late afternoon and when it closes, walk to the night zoo, get a cold drink and relax until opening. I also found the crowd goes down at the night zoo about 2hr after it was opens as the tour buses/tourists leave.

 

[leadman]

Is Singapore a good place to utilise a 7 night Marriott voucher?

The Marriott on Orchard is not the greatest and i personally would not, but the JW South Beach is supposedly very good. I have not stayed there but a colleague did.

 

[get me outta here]

Also, possible option at post 13 with some excellent add ons.

Is Singapore a good place to utilise a 7 night Marriott voucher?

 

[travelislife]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but a couple of photos from today to whet the appetite.