Tropi-Ties

Singapore is jam-packed, little island-state that is full of surprises, great food, and of course, shopping. <BR> <BR>Please share some of your favorite places to stay, eat and shop there. Here are some of mine: <BR> <BR>Raffles- Stay, if you can afford it, sip a cocktail there if you can't. It's right out of a Kipling novel. The valet wears a ruby red turban. <BR> <BR>Chinatown- Exotic antique and herb shops. Get out of its touristy center and go along the back streets to find the treasures. <BR> <BR>Little India-Great food, intriguing smells. <BR> <BR>Orchard Rd-Shopping, shopping, shopping! Electronics are a pretty good deal here. We bought a beautiful, Canon Camera at 2/3 the price you'd pay in the U.S. Make sure the guarantees are international. (Also, check out Chinatown for camera buys. Try Alley Cameras, very professional and helpful staff.) <BR> <BR>Grocery shopping 5 stories up- the lifestyle here is definitely "high-rise." Even the grocery stores are enclosed in megalithic towers! <BR> <BR>Cricket anyone? -It was off-season when we were there, but the lawns and stadium were ever so grand. I'd definitely take in a game the next time I'm there. <BR> <BR>Food Stalls-Try any of them. They are always cheap and good! <BR> <BR>I'm sure there's more. Anyone have anything to add? <BR> <BR>Tropi-Ties <BR>...everything for the tropical traveler! <BR>http://www.tropi-ties.com <BR>

marget lee

You certainly enjoyed Singapore! Unfortunately when my husband and I visit there last month it was very different from a few years back. We were shocked at being 'hussled' outside the Grand Central Hotel to take a Limousine to Scotts Road at S$15!, 4 times the normal price, even the hotel's staff tried to make us take the limo, we wanted just a taxi. In the end we were so annoyed we walked. Had the same problem getting to the airport. <BR>My husband was furious. Beware of Lucky Plaza, the shopkeepers are very rude indeed if you won't go into their shops. Also the tailors on the road to the Holiday Inn from Orcgard Road even try to block your way with their chairs. When you make it clear you don't want anything they are very rude indeed. This was shocking compared to our visit some years back. Sadly too it costs at least $S 180 ( discounted ) for a decent hotel. Everyone of course to their own taste, and Singapore has a lot to offer, but it is so pricey now, we cut short our 5 day stop to just 2 and continued to Thailand.

lynn

I agree with Marget. <BR> <BR>We have never been before but were a little disappointed in Singapore. We stayed at a great hotel for a decent deal (Ritz @ $200US with view of skyline) but so many things were very expensive and Boat Quay was one of the worst tourist traps I've ever seen. Worse than places in Bangkok, Paris and L.A. where I live. I was surprised. And I thought Disneyland was a trap! <BR> <BR>Everything looked the same and it was so hot and humid you couldn't even breathe. I imagine Thailand has spoiled us when it comes to shopping and food deals. Shopping in Singapore is anything but a good deal. <BR> <BR>We will never go back again unless it is very, very convenient and a super, duper cheap deal. <BR> <BR>That's my opinion! <BR> <BR>Lynn <BR> <BR

Judy

We've just returned from a week long stay in Singapore and absolutely love it! We stay at the Ritz-Carlton on the club level. It was well worth the extra money since we practically had every meal there. Food was very expensive at the hotel but there is a great food court in the mall behind the hotel where one could get a great meal for S3-S5. We also went to Newton's Circus, a hawkers' stand, where the food was very inexpensive and good. Took cabs and found them very inexpensive. On the whole, we found all the people we dealt with very friendly, courteous and helpful. Singapore is a very clean and beautiful city and I'd go back anytime!

Les

I'm with Judy! I loved Singapore (although Lynn is right on about the humidity). We stayed at the Westin Plaza hotel (across the street from Raffles); a very nice, well located, modern hotel (my preference; if I want ambiance, I leave the hotel and find it locally, but at the end of the day, I want to come "home" to modern luxury). Go up to the bar/restaurant on the top floor (75th, I think) in the evening for a drink and a magnificent view of the city (we didn't eat there, so I can't comment on the food). <BR>There's lots to do in Singapore. A highlight for us was a dinner cruise on a "Junk" (in quotation marks, since the term conjures up an image of a small sail-powered craft floating in Hong Kong harbor, which this definitely wasn't). We sailed out of the harbor to some outlying islands, where we anchored and had dinner on the boat. Then we came back past the anchored cargo ships (about 145 of them that evening) waiting their turn to come into the harbor and dock at the container port (a 24/7 operation, very impressive). Views of the city, both going (when it was light) and returning (when it was dark) were magnificent. <BR>I enjoyed getting around using the wonderful subway system and busses, although cabs are reasonable, if you're not into public transportation. The one time we took a cab, the driver asked us why we didn't take the subway instead ("Just as quick, and a lot less money"). <BR>Aside from other attractions mentioned (Little India, Chinatown, both worth a visit), try the Botanical Gardens. Also walk around Boat Quay (only a tourist trap if you choose to spend). Also hop a city bus to Sentosa Island (not particulary a destination in itself), grab the monorail, and stop at the aquarium (very nice) and the insect (butterfly?- I can't quite remember) museum (fascinating). <BR>Orchard Road is fun to stroll down, but it's just like any other classy shopping avenues in any number of Western cities. Go for the enjoyment, not the shopping. <BR>Singapore may not be for everyone, but I love large cities, alive with people and things to do (modern, ancient, whatever) and S'pore is a unique addition to that category.

Beth Anderson

But, would you live there? <BR> <BR>I might (might) have a job poss there... as in, my company is expanding there and I have expressed an interest in living overseas... whether I am the person for the job is yet to be determined... but I want to look into this. <BR> <BR>thoughts? PLEASE feel free to email me... <BR> <BR>Beth

michele

Beth- <BR>If you are going to do an expat assignment for the first time in Asia, then Singapore is where you want to go. It is an efficient and Westernized city so it is very easy to live in. My husband and I spent 3 years there on our first expat assignment. At first glance, it looks like any major Western city, but once you have spent a little bit of time there, you will find it to be very "asian", thus making it a great experience...you still have Satrbucks but are living in an Asian culture! It is also a good stepping stone to other places in the region which you will find yourself wanting to travel to as there is not a whole lot to do after spending 2 weeks there! It is just north of the equator so it is hot and humid all of the time. Needless to say, I do not miss the weather! But we very much enjoyed our time there. If you get the chance, I say go for it!

Les

Beth, <BR>I would not have a problem living in Singapore, for all the reasons Michele mentioned. But my wife found the climate oppressive enough that she definitely would NOT want to live there. <BR>However, we both agree that we could live in Hong Kong or Shanghai. <BR>Now, if only I could find a job!

jhm

There seemed to be a tremendous expat community in Singapore...I think it would be a wonderful place to work abroad.