Singapore - what I thought of it

I鈥檓 a bit late with writing my trip report, my husband and I were in Singapore on honeymoon in September.

We stayed at the beautiful Shangri La hotel - I鈥檝e written a review so I wont go into detail on the hotel - but will just say the hotel is stunning %26amp; I%26#39;d highly recommend it.

On our 1st day we got up early %26amp; went to the Botanical Gardens. They are beautiful - particularly the Orchid Gardens! Orchids are my favourite flower, so I was in heaven! It was a lovely relaxing way to spend our morning. Then we hopped in a taxi %26amp; headed to the Singapore Flyer. The views are amazing - it really is a must! After this we went %26amp; had probably the most bizzar experience ever - we went to a Fish Spa. After washing our feet we then dangled them into large fish tanks %26amp; 1000鈥檚 of little fish nibbled away at the dead skin. It felt so weird %26amp; to start with we couldn鈥檛 stop laughing, but after we got used to the feeling it was very relaxing. My feet were definitely softer afterwards. After our fish spa we went to Raffles %26amp; went to the Long Bar. It was very busy %26amp; everyone was there for one reason - a Singapore Sling. Because they serve so many a day %26amp; it would take too long to make each one fresh, the Singapore sling is ready made %26amp; is simply poured into a glass %26amp; then decorated with fruit. It wasn鈥檛 worth the $25 price tag, but I guess you cant go to Singapore %26amp; not have a sling in Raffles! Each table has a large bowl of peanuts %26amp; you are encouraged to peel off the shell and toss it on the floor! We ordered a late lunch but after waiting 45 minutes we cancelled the order - I suppose they aren鈥檛 that used to actually serving something other than a Singapore sling! We decided to go to Clarke Quay %26amp; hopped into one of the Trishaws (a bike with a passenger carriage) outside Raffles. I don鈥檛 know what the driver was playing at but he took us in completely the wrong direction then demanded $80! We refused to pay that much %26amp; gave him $20 - which was still far too much! After yelling abuse at us for several minutes he finally stormed off, leaving us completely lost! Eventually we managed to make our way to Boat Quay, %26amp; went to Merlion. It is pleasant enough round this area but we were tired %26amp; after our ordeal with the trishaw we decided to get a taxi back to the hotel.

On our 2nd day we went to Little India, we wandered along the main street taking in all the sights, sounds %26amp; wonderful smells, %26amp; stopped off at the temple - which was a lot smaller than we expected. We had a nosey in the shops and picked up a few souvenirs - which were half the price. We then went to Clarke Quay, which was very impressive! Being mid afternoon most places were closed, after wandering around for a while we settled in one of the places which was open - Hooters, %26amp; had a snack %26amp; a drink. We decided to head back to the hotel to relax for a while. Back at the hotel we chilled in the Lobby bar were we treated ourselves to the Veuve Clicquot champagne trio. Which consists of 3 large glasses of the original yellow label, the Ros茅 %26amp; the Vintage, each is accompanied by canap茅s - it was delicious %26amp; a perfect way to spend our afternoon! That evening we went back to Clarke Quay, there is so much choice but our first stop was the Highlander, we sat back and people watched. Then we went to 鈥橳he Steakhouse鈥?for dinner. After starting with a glass of Moet we both had Steak - funnily enough! Oh the steak was to die for! It was the best steak we have ever had! Yum! After dinner we went to a bar called the Marrakesh, which is a Moroccan themed bar. We got a sheesha %26amp; again sat back and watched everyone go by, %26amp; watched the antics at the weirdest bar in the world! The Clinic! Which is a bar themed on a hospital, the staff were scrubs %26amp; the drinks are served in drip bags %26amp; test tubes! Instead of regular chairs there are wheel chairs and hospital trolleys! A bit macabre but fun. There were 4 local guys sitting next to us at the Marrakesh %26amp; we soon got chatting. These guys were typical locals, very friendly, funny and charming. They took us to a club called the Pump Room. It was totally packed %26amp; you could barely move, but there was good music %26amp; a good atmosphere. The night life in Singapore surprised us, there鈥檚 even a ministry of sound! We had a great night!

On our 3rd %26amp; final day unsurprisingly we got up a little later! We went for a walk around Orchard Road, you could go bankrupt here! Then we chilled by the hotel pool for a few hours. We headed back to Clarke Quay the lure of the delicious steak drew us back! Unfortunately a different chef meant a different dining experience, and after waiting 40 minutes and then sending our order back 3 times we gave up %26amp; left. We went back to the hotel to pack %26amp; grabbed a bite to eat in the lobby bar, being my last day I couldn鈥檛 resist treating myself to the trio of champagne again.

After a relaxing day we headed to the airport to get our 11pm flight to London. At the airport we were told the plane was over booked and we were being bumped onto the next flight which was at 12:15. So after a bit of complaining I got us access to the 1st class lounge where we treated ourselves to more champagne - %26amp; it tasted even better because it was free! Our flight then had to make an emergency landing in Frankfurt due to an engine failure, we eneded up staying in Frankfurt - buts thats another trip report.

We loved Singapore. The 1st thing that surprised me was that everything is in English, I really hadn鈥檛 expected that. As everyone says, it鈥檚 a clean city, and last but not least the locals, they are lovely people, and bar the crazy trishaw guy, everyone we met was so nice! it鈥檚 a vibrant city that meets your every need!

If anyone has any questions fire away鈥?/p>

P :-)

Singapore - what I thought of it

Enjoyed reading your trip report! Sorry about that trishaw guy. He%26#39;s really outrageous! Glad that overall, you had a great time in Singapore!

Singapore - what I thought of it

Thanks Pauline, great trip report!

I was curious on average what you paid for the taxis you took.

Did you have a chance to try the MRT? :)

Pauline

I enjoy reading Ur review (A very leisure one ^__^) %26amp; glad u did not let the unpleasant incident with the trishaw ride spoiled your holiday.

Didnt use the MRT, cant remember how much the taxis were but they weren%26#39;t very expensive - and unlike most other cities we found the drivers to be very honest with prices - and full of great info about the city!

Yeah I wouldnt let one little trishaw guy get in the way of me enjoying myself - now had he spilt a glass of bubbly it would have been a different story haha :-)

Tommy, the longest taxi trip I tend to take in Singapore is from the city centre to either the Birdpark or the zoo...those cost just under 20SGD each way at base rate.

They are pretty cheap. The current fares are here.

http://www.smrt.com.sg/taxis/fares.asp

Works our at around 3SGD flagdown plus 50cents a kilometer base cost....so if you have an idea of distance on the road you can get a rough idea of the cost.

MRT I find very useable...particularly just hopping round the city centre. Grab and EZlink card and go. I get through about 10-15SGD a week without using it a huge amount - short trips in the city centre can be as little as 50-60cents on an EZlink card.

The MRT system for me beats all the big systems I have been on before (London Underground, the Boston T and Stockholms T-bahn)

They cost 15SGD to buy, there is a certain amount of nonrefundable deposit, a refundable deposit and 7SGD of travel credit. So you can get the one card and return it afterwards, or keep for when you come back to the city, depending on your preferences. You pay less per journey on an EZlink card compared to single journey cards, you do not build up a series of tickets with 1SGD deposits to get back that you do with single journey tickets. The Ezlink also works on the buses...they just updated the system to allow a number of new features.

(Actually that reminds me I need to replace my old card for a new one)

hey DIGGS

you have up till September to change your current ezlink card.

Diggs? Thats another poster who seems to be a frequent visitor, if you were aiming the reply at me :)

Im changing my card when I visit out there in June.

Well Ddiggs WILL be renewing his card in only 2 and a 1/2 weeks, and I can%26#39;t wait to feel the warmth of Singapore, and all that it has to offer again. It%26#39;s so dreary here in the UK, every day the news is worse that the day before, and a few weeks away to recharge, eat great food, and be with the lovely people of Singapore can%26#39;t come too soon. Alan.

Not that Im jealous that I have to wait to June you understand.... :)