Departure to Singapore, Thailand, & Hong Kong
Jan 30th, 2006, 08:11 AM
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Departure to Singapore, Thailand, & Hong Kong
We depart on February 1 for our long awaited trip to Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong. I wanted to thank all of you for the wonderful postings of information. I have printed out reams of paper from the postings that I find helpful. Then I cut the parts I want to keep and tape them in a notebook by categories--that notebook is quite heavy!
Wish I had started reading the board earlier as we have planned too many days in Singapore and Hong Kong and not enough in Thailand. Of course, we can always go back to Thailand at a later date. Just like many people on the forum who seem to make multiple trips.
If I had started reading the forum earlier, I would have known more about AirAsia before I booked flights. Guess I'll just have to pay for the extra weight on all the things I want to buy in Thailand.
Again thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. I'll do some postings when I return.
Susan
Wish I had started reading the board earlier as we have planned too many days in Singapore and Hong Kong and not enough in Thailand. Of course, we can always go back to Thailand at a later date. Just like many people on the forum who seem to make multiple trips.
If I had started reading the forum earlier, I would have known more about AirAsia before I booked flights. Guess I'll just have to pay for the extra weight on all the things I want to buy in Thailand.
Again thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. I'll do some postings when I return.
Susan
Jan 30th, 2006, 10:37 AM
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rkkwan--we have 9 days in Hong Kong. My husband is a Disney "nut" and schedule extra days in so he can spend a couple at the new Disneyland. He spent 5 days at Disneyland in Anaheim in November!
We were in Macau years and years ago, but we had a 7-year old with us. At that time it was mostly a casino thing, so we just walked around to look. Are there more things to do now?
rhkkmk--this trip is planned to be a slow laid-back trip. I already told my husband we are not doing a "forced march". We will do what we can and just take it easy.
Guenmai--I think you were the one that suggested the YMCA in Singapore. We are going to stay there. It sounds like an ideal location.
Thanks to all of you for wonderful tips and suggestions.
We were in Macau years and years ago, but we had a 7-year old with us. At that time it was mostly a casino thing, so we just walked around to look. Are there more things to do now?
rhkkmk--this trip is planned to be a slow laid-back trip. I already told my husband we are not doing a "forced march". We will do what we can and just take it easy.
Guenmai--I think you were the one that suggested the YMCA in Singapore. We are going to stay there. It sounds like an ideal location.
Thanks to all of you for wonderful tips and suggestions.
Jan 30th, 2006, 11:01 AM
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Susan - Disneyland Hong Kong is pretty small. Many people report that they can "finish" the park in half a day. I think even your husband can complete it in 2.
Since you have 9 days, absolutely go visit Macau again. Stay there overnight if you can take out a day of hotel in Hong Kong. Hotels are cheaper in Macau than HK.
There are lots to see besides the casinos. Lots of historical stuff with heavy Portugese favors. Ghia lighthouse, the Monte Fortress (and the excellent Macau Museum), St. Paul ruins, afternoon tea at the Pousada de Sao Tiago, Portugese houses on Taipa, many churches, Kun Iam and A-Ma temples, Portugese cuisine, Lo Im Yuek garden, etc... I've probably been to Macau over 100 times, and I still love it.
With that much time in Hong Kong, make sure you spend some time to the outlying islands (Lantau, Cheung Chau, Lamma), and also see some walled (or otherwise) villages in the New Territories.
Since you have 9 days, absolutely go visit Macau again. Stay there overnight if you can take out a day of hotel in Hong Kong. Hotels are cheaper in Macau than HK.
There are lots to see besides the casinos. Lots of historical stuff with heavy Portugese favors. Ghia lighthouse, the Monte Fortress (and the excellent Macau Museum), St. Paul ruins, afternoon tea at the Pousada de Sao Tiago, Portugese houses on Taipa, many churches, Kun Iam and A-Ma temples, Portugese cuisine, Lo Im Yuek garden, etc... I've probably been to Macau over 100 times, and I still love it.
With that much time in Hong Kong, make sure you spend some time to the outlying islands (Lantau, Cheung Chau, Lamma), and also see some walled (or otherwise) villages in the New Territories.
Jan 30th, 2006, 11:30 AM
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rkkwan--thanks for the information. We will try to spend some time in Macau. We have visited some of the islands, but I'm sure they have changed in the last few years. Haven't been to the new territories for 25 years, so I know it has changed a lot. Thanks again. Susan
Jan 30th, 2006, 12:09 PM
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Glad you've decided to choose the YMCA International House on Orchard Rd. It's a very nice place. I've stayed there regularly since the 90s. The price is just right. And the location can't be beat. If you want to take a bus ride, then you can take bus 36...next to "Y" and you will end up at the opposite end of Orchard Rd. It's a nice ride.It'll take about 20 minutes. The Tanglin Shopping Centre (NOT the Tanglin Mall) is on that route...It's the antique shopping centre that has tons of things from the Southeast Asia region. If you check it out, you'll see it on your right side(of the bus ride) so just get off at the first stop PAST the shopping centre...which will be Orchard Rd...and then walk back to it. It's on Tanglin Rd. After you leave Tanglin Shopping Centre then after exiting the center, go RIGHT...and walk until you get to Orchard Rd then go right again. You'll now be on Orchard Rd. You'll be at the far end of Orchard. The "Y" is at number 1 Orchard Rd...You'll be in the hundreds at the opposite end where Tanglin is. If you're hungry, there's a great, western restaurant called Marmelade ( in the basement) which is in the same building with the Jim Thompson store which will be on the left side of the street...as you're walking out Orchard Rd. It's less than 5 minutes from the Tanglin Shopping Centre. A Singaporean friend who owns a boutique in the Tanglin Shopping Centre treated me to lunch there last August. I didn't even know it was there and have been in that building many times. I mentioned it(and the address) in my Singapore trip report under the thread of,"Boston GTG", if you want to look it up. Just click on "Most Recent Post" where you'll end up at the bottom of the thread and then scroll UP to August 20th.I've written quite a bit on Singapore there. Have a great trip. I can't wait to get back to Singapore and Bangkok this coming August. Oh, if you buy a MRT(subway) pass, you can get it at the Dhoby Gaut MRT station next to the "Y". If you don't use it all up, then before you leave Singapore, just go into an MRT station and tell them that you're leaving and they will refund you the unused portion. Or you can keep it, as I do, since it's valid for several years.You can use the same pass in the bus.The pass has to be swiped over the bus machine...inside the bus... both when you get into the bus and out of the bus. If you don't swipe it when you get out, then someway when you use it again a large amount will be deducted on the next bus machine. Just watch the locals use the machine.Follow their lead. Happy Travels!
Jan 30th, 2006, 03:58 PM
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The name of the shopping Center mentioned by Guenmai, where Jim Thompson and Marmalade Pantry are located is Palais Renaissance. the phone number is 6734-2700. It's popular enough that it's a good idea to book a table to make sure you get in.
How much time do you have in Singapore? As a 5 year resident, I can give you a few off the beaten path tips, depending on your interests.
How much time do you have in Singapore? As a 5 year resident, I can give you a few off the beaten path tips, depending on your interests.
Jan 30th, 2006, 05:48 PM
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Lindsey--we have six days in Singapore. I would appreciate information about things that are off the beaten path along with any other tips. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Susan
Jan 30th, 2006, 07:05 PM
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I have stayed in Singapore for as long as a week and a half...on vacation...and I still haven't done everything and have been vacationing there regularly since the late 90s. I like to take my time and actually chat with locals and meet people and not just go from sight to sight. The Sinaporean friend that I met in my above post was met this way. I stumbled into her shop and we chatted for over an hour, hit it off, and have been friends ever since...and that friendship was made on a short visit. Last summer, one of the managers at the "Y" wanted to take me to dinner in a real Singaporean neighborhood. We met in the lobby of the hotel a few years ago and chatted about issues affecting Singaporeans and hit it off. Singaporeans are friendly people so take your time and absorb it all....why rush around? I think a 6-day period is just fine. It all depends on what you want to get out of a vacation. If you pick up the Treasures and Pleasure book on Singapore/Bali , there's a whole list in the back of the book of 101 things to do while in Singapore. Maybe you can pick it up in Singapore since you're leaving soon. It's written by an American couple. Happy Travels!
Jan 30th, 2006, 07:44 PM
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Susan
seriously think about posting stuff home from HK (i don;t know about the other places) but the rates are probably cheaper than paying overwieght even if you send it airmail (which is not really much more than sending by seamail and will save you about 3 weeks). Seriously check it out. You can easily pick up a rates information sheet from the post office.
Also, prices in HK are very dissapointing for most things. Has anyone told you that yet?
Oh, one last thing. I've been to disneyland twice. Once with children and once with them and grandparents included. Half a day is stupid unless there's no one there. The time I did it with grandfolks was 2 days prior to Christmas and it was the top 5 most busiest days. The only thing we didn;t have time for was to wait in lines for photos with the characters and the long long line for the dumbo ride but then we got there a bit late too. See the street parade (if you must) at 1pm
Oh now a word on the fireworks (which is veyr good but - well you;ve seen it before): the best place is in front of the castle BUT you'll need to get there early to get a good spot. On the second visit we just took advantage of the shorter lines to do more rides (the line for the pooh bear ride is just mental) in a veyr short time and then saw the fireworks from somewhere approximating towards the front of the castle. By my thinking if you can;t get the best spot then any spot will do so why waste your time waiting around in a so-so spot.
Oh and use the fast pass but make sure you know how it works first
seriously think about posting stuff home from HK (i don;t know about the other places) but the rates are probably cheaper than paying overwieght even if you send it airmail (which is not really much more than sending by seamail and will save you about 3 weeks). Seriously check it out. You can easily pick up a rates information sheet from the post office.
Also, prices in HK are very dissapointing for most things. Has anyone told you that yet?
Oh, one last thing. I've been to disneyland twice. Once with children and once with them and grandparents included. Half a day is stupid unless there's no one there. The time I did it with grandfolks was 2 days prior to Christmas and it was the top 5 most busiest days. The only thing we didn;t have time for was to wait in lines for photos with the characters and the long long line for the dumbo ride but then we got there a bit late too. See the street parade (if you must) at 1pm
Oh now a word on the fireworks (which is veyr good but - well you;ve seen it before): the best place is in front of the castle BUT you'll need to get there early to get a good spot. On the second visit we just took advantage of the shorter lines to do more rides (the line for the pooh bear ride is just mental) in a veyr short time and then saw the fireworks from somewhere approximating towards the front of the castle. By my thinking if you can;t get the best spot then any spot will do so why waste your time waiting around in a so-so spot.
Oh and use the fast pass but make sure you know how it works first
