It's raining in Singapore!
 

Suggestions? I am visiting a friend in Singapore for 8 days and we were supposed to leave for Bintan this morning, but it's raining! We thought we'd break up the trip with a few days on the beach, but it's definitely not beach weather. I'm disappointed as I traveled all the way from Boston and from what I hear (and see now that i'm here) is that 8 days in Singapore is a lot! What should I do aside from shop that would let me go back to Boston feeling as though I didn't travel to the other side of the world to do what I can do in the US?! I would be grateful for any suggestions. thanks!

You could hop on a bus to Malacca, and maybe even on to KL. You could jump on a budget airline (Tiger, Jet Star) to Bali, where it isn't raining, but it is gawd awful hot. I would have been happy for a little rain. It was nice to see it when I passed through Singapore.

Anyway, since the #1 activity in Singapore is shopping, it doesn't really matter whether it's raining or not.

Thanks for the reply. I'm bummed about bintan, but i suppose you can't come to singapore and count on the beach. maybe we'll try to book a flight. thanks again.

There is a lot to do in SIngapore besides shop (the Museum of Asian Civilizations, both branches), teh Orchid Garden at the Botanical Gardens, the Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park, etc. Indeed, shopping in SIngapore is no longer the bargain it once was as the US dollar is so weak.

A trip up the coast to Malacca is a good idea (you can take a luxury bus). If you must have beach, Bali is one option, though I'd probably choose one of the beaches on the east coast of Malaysia - you can fly to Kuantan. The beaches on the east coast of Malaysia are nicer than the Bali beaches and would be a fine option for a few days. Bali would be better for a longer stay.

If you want a few days at the beach without flying, get a bus (very comfortable & very AC), at Beach Road for about $12 at 9:30 PM to Lumut, arriving about 5-6 AM. you will be right at the ferry to take you to either Pangkor Island, budget accomodations or Pangkor Laut 8:00 A.M. ferry-- luxury, but reasonable. Return bus at 6:00 P.M.--arrive in Singapore early morning.

I vacation in Singapore regularly and have stayed there as long as a week and a half and haven't done everything yet. I wrote a travel report Aug 2005 on Singapore. Type in,"Boston GTG--Announcement" in the search box and then click on that and also click on,"Most recent post" so that it takes you to the BOTTOM of this very long thread. Then scroll UP to August 20th where I start my report. I report on the Peranakan area of town along with restaurant reports. Plus, if you can get a copy of the Treasures and Pleasures of Singpore book and just look in the back of the book, there's a list of 101 things to do in Singapore. They might have it at one of the big bookstores. Happy Travels!

Oh, and I agree with Kathie...there's a lot to do besides just shop. Happy Travels!