@ progol – you are an inspiration, Paule! Once I quit trying to force my flights through Japan, I found a fantastic deal on Qatar Airways. I’ll have a few hours in Doha on my way to Singapore and a slightly longer stop on my way back from Bali. (So I’ll skip Japan on this trip.) And your timing was impeccable – I tried your strategy just hours before a special fare deal ended, and so made out like a bandit.


@ AskOksena – thanks again, Robert!

As just noted in my response to progol, my first experience of Singapore Airlines will have to wait. I have, however, booked Silk Air for my flight from Singapore to Yogyakarta, so I’ll get a bit of an introduction nonetheless.

I’ve been looking at The Sultan, which was among the lodgings mentioned in a link you previously sent me. I was disappointed to see that reviews of The Sultan have recently been becoming less and less positive. So, although nothing is written in stone, I doubt that I will stay there. I’m now looking most closely at a variety of shophouses in and around Little India and a few hotels in and around Clarke Quay. I haven’t ruled anything out, and am instead trying to decide which location will give me greatest flexibility to see the things that I most want to see while in the area.

Any thoughts about the “Night Safari” at the Singapore Zoo? I don’t like seeing animals in confinement, but it sounds like this might be a great opportunity to see some nocturnal creatures in settings that aren’t overly constrained.

Enjoy your time in Seoul, and thanks again for your kind reports about my TR!

kja - Congratulations on getting your tickets and finding a great deal! I'm thrilled and pleased that I was able to help you, truly.

Enjoy the rest of the planning now that the framework is in place. And of course, I look forward to reading the results when your return!

Paule

Congratulations on finding a good deal on the flights, and glad to see your trip coming together. As for location of where to stay I like the area around the river (Clarke Quay, Robinson Quay, etc.) because it is centrally located and has easy access to transport. Chinatown is good too. There are also a lot of hotels along Orchard Road, but that type of shopping isn't my thing; it is also easy to get around from there too.

I've been very pleased with how my trip is shaping up -- thanks in no small part to so many helpful Fodorites.

Thanks for the location input, tripplanner -- I appreciate the confirmation that the Clarke Quay area would be a good choice. I had ruled Orchard Road out -- shopping is not among my interests, either.

Warm Friday morning (and Chinese New Year) greetings from our fine home of Singapore to you, kja; glad your planning is progressing.

Well done on booking SilkAir out of our Changi. Unless I am away on a longer trans-pacific business trip, Changi is a weekly destination for flights / meetings. Love that airport; happy to give suggestions for your pre-departure moments.

Concerning SIN lodging, will give a promotion to a property I had the pleasure of seeing all of ~ 36 hours back, the Hotel Vagabond. Some cousins from Scotland checked into the hotel this recent Wednesday evening; must say, I thought their particular lodging was most acceptable. This property could very well not meet your requirements; just an idea for you and other Fodorites in future.

As always, savour your planning - and Gong Xi Fa Cai from Singapore,

robert

@ AskOksena -- Thanks, Robert! The Hotel Vagabond looks wonderful -- a bit pricier than I would prefer, but ooooh, it does look tempting!

Gong Xi Fa Cai to you, too.