#72851 - 06/23/08 05:51 AM
Our 5 nights in Singapore
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CathyP
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Registered: 11/15/04
Posts: 636
Loc: Australia
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Well this is just a quick report as we did not really do that much in Singapore during our 5 night stopover. Singapore is one of our favorite places and we have been 7 times before. As we were on our way to Phuket via Singapore for 3 months we thought why not spend a few nights there first.
We booked a 5 night stopover through the Singapore airlines site and stayed at the Royal & Queens, the 5 nights cost us just over $600 and with all the bonuses thrown in it was definitely worth it. We had free transfers, 50% off meals at the hotel, free entry to Jurong Bird Park plus loads of other freebies we did not use. The hotel is in a great location and we were upgraded to a deluxe room in the renovated wing on the 16th floor. The TV was huge with a dvd player; there was an iron and ironing board, a safe big enough to hold our laptop and great views.
This hotel is joined to the Allson hotel and is only a 5 minute walk to Bugis Street, 3 min walk to Chijmes, 5 min walk to Raffles Hotel and 15 min walk to Douby Ghout mrt or the top of Orchard Rd. So the location is excellent.
On our second day we walked to Little India and this took us about 20 minutes, went to the Mustafa Centre but that place drives me nuts, to crowded, tiny aisles and I couldn’t get out of there quick enough. (Mind you this was about the 10th visit there over the years so the novelty has worn off) But you can buy absolutely everything there at pretty good prices.
We went to Lucky Plaza as I had the names of a couple of second hand designer brand handbag shops but honestly it was not worth looking, it was mainly old clothes with a few ratty looking bags. I love Lucky Plaza and over the years we have bought many items there including cameras and never had a problem. Just know exactly what you want and what it would cost you at home. This time I only bought a no name handbag which I love for the princely sum of $22 Singapore and a couple of dressing gowns for $12 each.
After Lucky Plaza we headed for Tangs Department store, another favorite of mine, especially the cosmetics and handbags section. I went in with the intention of just looking as I did not need any more bags but of course The sale is on and there was this beautiful Elle bag looking at me and it was half price, then when I paid for it they gave me another 5% tourist discount so the bag only ended up costing $63. Bargain ha-ha.
Other shopping centers we went to were Woodlands and Boonlay, they are good but I still think Tampines is the best. Its good to get away from Orchard Rd and try some local centers and they are so easy to get to as they are all MRT stops. Vivocity was amazing; they have the best and biggest Espirit shop I have ever been in there. Gary shocked me by buying a great man bag there for $78 (that’s a real splurge for him).
We used our free passes to the Jurong Bird Park, fantastic place and it had been on my list of things to do for many years. It’s certainly worth going to but had to have been one of our hottest days there and the climb up the hill was a killer ha-ha. Food and drinks are pretty pricey and not much choice at all. We decided to go there by mrt and bus. The transport system is so easy and cheap to use.
Some of the food drink and shopping prices we paid were
Chinatown –
Large bottle tiger beer $7.50
Singapore T Shirts 3 for $10 (big sizes)
Key rings $1
Sparkly hair accessories etc 3 for $10
Satays 80 cents each
Food court next to hotel
Large bottle Tiger $6.50
Watermelon juice $2.50
25 Satays $22
Starbucks
Regular Ice Coffee $5.30
Ice Chocolate $6.00
Orchard Rd Café
Mug of beer $6.50
Ice Tea $5.00
We went to a lovely flash restaurant for dinner one night in Chinatown, the food was sensational, I can’t remember the name but it’s opposite the huge perfume and cosmetics outlet. We had medium size dishes to share which were bbq pork (best I have ever had) buttered prawns, seafood fried rice and 1 beer and 1 soft drink. Our bill was $102.
The weather was very hot and humid with a thunderstorm and lots of lightening each day we were there that only lasted an hour or so.
So now we are up to our last day in Singapore. Early that morning our phone was ringing and I was not sure where I was, I answered it half asleep and it was Jubby (Julie a forum member) I knew (well was told) that they were leaving Australia via Kuala Lumpur for Phuket that day and arriving the same day we were. Then she tells me they are in the lobby of our hotel!
Gary and I moved and showered like rockets and so began our day in Singapore with Jubby and Russ. Months before hand Tiff (another Phuket forum member) had asked me what we would be up to in Singapore and where were we staying etc and this was then passed on to Jubby so she could plan her little surprise. How they kept this secret I don’t know.
So off we went to Raffles for the obligatory Singapore Sling and eating of the peanuts. Jubby and Russ were a bit shocked when Gary and I threw our peanut shells onto the floor (we were the first customers so the floors were clean) then other people arrived and this made it worse as they were not throwing theirs on the floor. We tried telling them that this has been happening for at least 50years but I’m sure they still do not believe us!!. Should have seen Jubbys husband Russ when we got the bill for 2 x tiger beers and 2 x Singapore slings - $96 ha-ha.
We took them both to Chinatown where Gary and Russ got settled with a few tigers and Jubby and I went off shopping at the 3 for $10 shops. Lunch was once again a million satays (40 actually) and lots of fried rice which cost $32. Satays have certainly gone up in price a bit.
By now its late afternoon, time for a rest and we arranged to meet for dinner at La Pau Sat. Prices are much cheaper here and the satays are better! Finally Jubby got to try Chili Crab plus we ordered a huge dish of fried prawn balls (delicious), rice dishes and drinks. The total bill for food was $44 and a jug of tiger and 2 cans of coke were $18, so the beers a lot cheaper there as well.
It had been a couple of years since we had last visited Singapore and things have changed. Clarke Quay is not like it use to be or maybe I’m just getting old ha-ha, the satay stalls have gone, the little markets are no longer there but I still love Singapore and will be back.
Anyway time to call it a night and go pack as tomorrow we are all flying to Phuket (on the same bumpy horrible flight – I think it was a learner pilot) Little did we all know what was going to surprise us there on our first night.
Heres the link to our Singapore photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/CathyandGary/Singapore2008
Cathy
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Editors Recommendations : Raffles Hotel |
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#72863 - 06/23/08 07:16 PM
Re: Our 5 nights in Singapore
[Re: CathyP]
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pebbles
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Registered: 05/15/05
Posts: 159
Loc: Melbourne, Australia
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Hi Cathy,
I'm going to Singapore as well on my way to Phuket. Where is La Pau Sat and the 3 for $10 shop in Chinatown. Are they on the main road?
We are staying at the Swissotel the stamford right nextdoor to chijmes.
Thanks again,
Pebbles.
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#72875 - 06/24/08 03:55 AM
Re: Our 5 nights in Singapore
[Re: pebbles]
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Nautilus
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Registered: 11/18/05
Posts: 1353
Loc: Kuala Lumpur
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Swissotel The Stamford is at a very good location, above the shopping complex.
Cathy, you didnt try Brewerkz ?
_________________________
For every wound, a balm.For every sorrow, cheer.For every storm, a calm.For every thirst, a beer.
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#72896 - 06/24/08 11:38 AM
Re: Our 5 nights in Singapore
[Re: Nautilus]
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CathyP
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Registered: 11/15/04
Posts: 636
Loc: Australia
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Pebbles, Theres heaps of the 3 for $10 shops, they are everywhere haha. Just go to the markets in Chinatown. La Pau Sat was a short taxi ride from our hotel from your hotel about a 5 min ride.
John what is Brewerkz lol?
Cathy
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#72904 - 06/24/08 07:00 PM
Re: Our 5 nights in Singapore
[Re: CathyP]
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normsummers
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Registered: 05/27/07
Posts: 17
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Interesting review of Singapore Cathy.I had vowed never to spend a stopover in Singapore again,but you made it look good.
We stayed at the Taipan Ramada years ago (now Allsons).Looked like your hotel has been split off from the original and has been rebadged.It is in a handy position.
Last time we stayed at the New Park,just behind Mustafas...we got the impression foreigners were not welcome around there...just after 9/11.
The deal that you got thru Singapore air stopovers looked good though!
The price of beer is a bit of a turn off in Singapore...not that I indulge much...but in places like Singapore it is a must have luxury.
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#73290 - 07/13/08 03:08 PM
Re: Our 5 nights in Singapore
[Re: normsummers]
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lmf
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Registered: 10/08/05
Posts: 31
Loc: singapore
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beer's cheaper in the neighbourhood coffee shops or those neighbourhood provision shops, getting them at bars/discos/pubs/Brekerks can be quite expensive...
Brewerkz
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#73291 - 07/13/08 03:10 PM
Re: Our 5 nights in Singapore
[Re: lmf]
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lmf
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Registered: 10/08/05
Posts: 31
Loc: singapore
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lau pa sat is located in the business district of Singapore, nearest MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is Raffles Place, great place to go at night time for local food... Any place is the open eating area at the Esplanade, nearest MRT is Cityhall...
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#73374 - 07/16/08 01:40 PM
Re: Our 5 nights in Singapore
[Re: lmf]
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CathyP
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Registered: 11/15/04
Posts: 636
Loc: Australia
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norm, like Imf said its much cheaper outside of the normal tourist areas. I always feel very uncomfortable in the Little India area and will never go back again. (Well maybe only to my favourite little shoe shop there but only because they sell big sizes for women lol.
Cathy
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#73899 - Yesterday at 09:32 AM
Re: Our 5 nights in Singapore
[Re: CathyP]
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nhonho_88
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Registered: 08/16/08
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I've been to Singapore but when reading your experiences, it sounds interesting. Many students of Vietnam study there and they usually go to Chinatown to buy foods and drinks, and there may have some Vietnamese shops. Do you visit any Vietnamese shops?
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