Singapore Itineraries
A stopover in Singapore
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While it is infamous as one of the most expensive cities/countries/islands in the world, just like any other destination in the world, look hard enough and you can find lots to do without breaking your back. Its city centre is a busy one full of never-ending skyscrapers and Singaporeans going about their daily life, while there an impressive amount of parks and reserves to take refuge in when the centre becomes a bit too much for you.
Day 1 - Distinguish the old from the new
After arriving in Singapore for the first time the first thing you will notice is that this is a busy city which is constantly on the go and rarely sleeps. It is in the city centre that most of the city's accommodation can be found.
Once you check in get acquainted with your immediate surroundings. Remember the street you are on and choose a landmark which is instantly identifiable. Remember exactly where your hotel/hostel is from this point and you should always be able to find your way back no matter what.
Like many other cities in South East Asia, there is an unusual blend of old and new in this city state. Orchard Road, lined with an array of shopping malls, is where the influence from the west is most evident. Bright lights scream at you from every direction in this district which is constantly heaving with shoppers hoping to find electrical goods at only a shade of what they might pay in other parts of the world. Many of the stores claims to have 'everything under the one roof' so if you are planning on treating yourself to a present this is the best place in Singapore to find it.
One way to see just how unlike various parts of the city are to each other is to make the short trip to Little India from Orchard Road. The contrast between both areas is astounding. The bright lights are replaced by mouth watering aromas from the various restaurants specialising in culinary delights from India, and if you want to purchase some spices to create your own Indian dish you can get them here.
Day 2 - Sentosa Island
Singapore's most visited attraction is Sentosa Island. Located just 15 minutes from the south coast of the island, it is easy to while away a whole day here. The easiest way to get there is via bus from HarbourFront Centre Bus Terminal. Buses leave regularly between 7am-11pm from Sunday-Thursday and until 12.30am on Friday and Saturdays. The short journey costs S$3 (S$1 for the bus journey and S$2 for admission to the island).
Once on the island there are a host of activities to partake in and attractions to visit. Many people come here to simply get away from the city and laze on the 3.2km beach for a few hours. Otherwise you may wish to go on one of the walks on the island, something which there is an abundance of due to a rainforest which blankets approximately 70% of the island.
There is so much to see and do on Sentosa that it would be impossible to fit in everything within one day's visit. Even if you did have enough time it would develop into a very expensive day as most of the attractions impose admission charges. Of all these attractions, the most popular is Underwater World (Adm S$17.30 - includes admission to Dolphin Lagoon). This aquarium is home to over 250 species of fish and the highlight is an 83-metre long tunnel where sharks, stingrays, eels and more swim around you.
Possibly the best, as well as cheapest way to see Sentosa is by hopping on the free monorail which circles the island. And before returning back to the mainland wait until darkness falls for the light show at the Musical Fountain - this is not to be missed.
Day 3 - A breath of fresh air
When you want to bit of fresh air and the congestion and bustle of the city streets is getting a bit much for you, Singapore's Botanic Gardens on Cluny Road is a nice open space to retreat to. Admission to the gardens is free (with a S$2 charge if you want to visit the National Orchid Garden) and once inside you can stroll around the park's lake which is full of fish, turtles and swans or around the park which is brimming with numerous tropical plants and trees.
Further up from the Botanical Gardens you will find Singapores Zoological Gardens on Mandai Lake Road. Unlike other zoos around the world, animals here aren't cooped up in cages and the zoo practices an 'open concept'. Moats are more commonly used and the animals are kept in spacious, landscaped enclosures making it as close to their natural habitats as possible.
Singapore's zoo is where the world's only night safari can be found. Open from 7.30pm-11pm daily, it is one of the fascinating aspects of the zoo as night is when the animals are at their most active. A combined ticket to the zoo and night safari costs S$25.
One place you can't leave Singapore without visiting is Raffles Hotel on Beach Road. Far more than a hotel, this is where the world famous Singapore Sling cocktail was created, while the hotel itself is listed as part of the state's cultural heritage.
Raffles is worth a visit for novelty value, but you wouldn't really want to spend a whole evening in the infamous hotel. Instead, for the best selection of bars and nightclubs, and where the city is at its liveliest at night, you need to make your way to Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, both along the Singapore River.