Several things to do:-

- Race Course road, Order the Fish Head Curry

- Swimming with Dolphins in Sentosa

- Riding the open bottom cable car to Sentosa (especially if they fear heights)

- Pulau Ubin, which is a secondary rainforest. Only sign of civilisation is a small village and the jetty.

- Try Lion Dance. Ask one of the many Lion Dance Troupes out there.

- Try Chinese Opera.

- Try Shadow Puppet Opera.

- Try Sepak Thakraw. A sport involving a rattan ball. Volleyball with feet.

- Try pig intestine soup.

Just a few of the suggestions I can think of.

1) Eat, eat, eat! Hawker centres such as Lau Pa Sat and East Coast Lagoon and Newton Hawker Centre has standard, cheap local food that costs only S$3 (US$1.70) a plate. You can order different types to share and pig out! - chicken rice, laksa, satay, barbecued stingray, char kway teow, fried hokkien noodles, popiah... If you go to the East Coast Lagoon hawker centre at night, you can take a night stroll along the beach and watch the fishermen at Bedok jetty.
2) Try durians at a road side stall in geylang. They're really pungent but taste really good. It's a challenge! You either love it or hate it! Some people find the thorny fruit offensive, but a long time ago, it's been said that Malays used to sell their sarongs just to afford some durian!
3) Stay at a kelong (house on stilts out at sea) and fish and eat!
4) Forget Sentosa! It's touristy and boring.
5) Go to Sungei Buloh or the Bukit Timah reserve for nature.
6) And the night safari. One of the best night zoos in the world!
7) If you love crab, you have to eat black pepper crab and chilli crab. If you pool your money together, you can get a very good meal for the five of you for about S$100 - S$150 at a seafood restaurant like Jumbo, No Signboard or Long Island.
8) Get your fortune told by a Chinese fortune teller at Chinatown, or an Indian one at Little India! Just for fun!
9) For partying, Zouk is an international club that flies in famous deejays from all over the world regularly.

And you don't have to cross the border to Malaysia!

DURIAN!

#1 thing to do (if it is in season) ~ try durian....the king of fruits!

You HAVE to try the durian seriously! It'd make for good TV hahahah.

and Tony seems really particular about food so it'd be cool seeing his reaction to all kinds of foods in Singapore. You guys HAVE to try the food here, and not at restaurants. Go to hawker centres like Maxwell Food Centre, Newton, Chomp Chomp. I personally like Maxwell the best - but whatever goes.

You guys should go partying at Zouk too. And go to Pulau Ubin or something, for a taste of the rural.

And the girls have to go shopping - you'll go crazy. Don't go to Orchard Road, go to Bugis and ask for Bugis Village; it's much cheaper and you can bargain.

Go on like a food trail! They could go to Jalan Kayu in the morning for breakfast (prata YUM), have kueh and snacks at Maxwell Food Centre for morning snacks cos they sell out so quick, lunch at Lau Pa Sat, go check out Bugis for shopping to work off the calories, and then to Newton Hawker Centre for dinner, Zouk to dance off dinner, and old Changi to check out transvestites (haha!) and have supper

Oh they have to go watch Kumar!

They should try kambing soup too. I'm dreaming of kambing soup now.

Oh and I just saw a message by Gabe asking about local musicians in HK. For local music (though they actually sing some Top 40 hits), maybe it'd be cool to hang out at Holland Village. It's actually a very expat place, but I like the bars there.

I'm flooding this board due to boredom heheh. I could think of more things to recommend so maybe everyone should just hang out with me :b Though I am extremely cowardly and would rather eat 100000 monkey brains than swing around on a trapeze. Oh you can do the swinging on a trapeze thing at Sentosa. But yes Sentosa is disgustingly expensive. Even the Burger King there is more expensive.

quote:

Originally posted by renee5takes:
A trapeze school! That sounds incredible.
I'm so in, if it's in the budget! I wonder what pizza in Singapore will be like?

Gabe, I'll eat the scorpians with you. I am a Scorpio after all.

sokaplaya, Pizza in Singapore will be just like pizza that you get anyone in the U.S. You have nothing to worry about

Here's my Singapore list of things to do (although I'd trust myself a lot more with my Hong Kong list - I lived there from 1996 - 2002 and half grew up there - I've only visited Singapore a few times.)

However, that being said:

1. As everyone else mentioned, makan timeis taken seriously in Sing. That means food. I'd second and third the recommendations for Lau Pa Sat, Newton Circus and for any chicken rice stalls you hear of recommended (all except Chatterbox - WAY OVERPRICED and WAY OVERRATED, good yes, but not worth the 10x price). I'd also find the best places to eat Indian food in little Indian OH! and pepper crab at East Coast Park

2. Nightlife - Mohammad Sultan is a very cool neighborhood (I like Milk Bar and Lush), lots of people go to the Quays (pronouced "keys") - but I find them too . . .um. . . non-local. Zouk near Orchard Road is awesome some nights, but it's a bit pricey.

3. Go. to. the. Night. Safari.

(end of discussion).

Hey Gabe, In Singapore (lived there for 4 years) they speak English with a sing song accent which I call Singlish. As the music afficianado, you should visit a karaoke pub and sing something in Singlish, lah. Or Russian....just have fun!

DO NOT EAT DURAIN... WELL I GUESS TASTE IT.. BUT I ATE IT IN HONG KONG AND IT MADE ME SICK.. to me it tasted like dirty laundry is supposed to tast like.. just gross..

all you need in singapore is two days..

go to the historic RAFFLES hotel for a blast back to british india and the home of the singapore sling.

sentosa island is a tourist trap but if you have the dough it is something different then just a city. it is a man made trap but hey if you get there you will be at the SOUTHERNMOST POINT OF AISA CONTINENT. at the dolphin show you could be lucky enough to be picked to swim with the famous PINK DOLPHINS so just come to the island in your swimwear and prepare yourself for a dunk.. most tourist are in saris and dont want to get wet so you have a good chance of getting picked

LITTLE INDIA HAS LOTS of good cheap indian food and you can eat on banana leaves

BEST THING.. the night safari... bring night vision for your cameras because they do not allow flashes of lights to keep the environment controlled.. THE FLYING SQUIRREL TENT IS A MUST...if you wait around long enough you will see them jump tree to tree (amazing)

orchard road nothing but shopping kinda like an extended rodeo drive but walking on the street is free.

the hawker centres are the best place to eat and cheap. try the shark fin mmmm delicious

Singapore is "fine" city. Be careful in what you do,watch what you say. Try to find a shirt that has all the fines you could get in Singapore. It will explain to you what i am talking about. Orchard street is mainly the "red light" area. there are planty of cheap hotels to stay at. YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR THE HOOVER HOTELit is very cheap. they charge by the hour or fo rthe night. it is located 246 balestier road #02-01 singapore 329706 tel # 6354 4435 that will be ur cheapest place to stay.
There are many nite clubs there. the one place that most people go to for drink is, for the most happy hour, down by clarke quay and boat quay. there are many bars and places to eat. but do remember it is singapore and it is expensive. do keep an eye on your money.

Yeah, I'm not such a big fan of durian either. It smells like a bus station bathroom and tastes like a dirty yellow snowball.

I'm not sure what order you're heading around Sing/HK/Taipei - but one thing to keep in mind is that drinking in clubs and bars is pretty expensive. Beers will run $5-10 US/per beer - so it adds up quick.

Solution: Get your first couple of beers in 7-11. This especially works well in Hong Kong. Either that or seek out happy hours.

I'm not sure what Steamhard means with Orchard Road (not Street) being the "red light" district. Sure, there's bars where sex-for-pay transactions are made (that'd be Orchard Towers - you'd do well to stay away) - but it's certainly not Geyling (where it is legal). It's a lot more of a high-end shopping street than anything.

The best places to stay in Singapore for the money are usually located in Chinatown. It's been about 10 years since I had to stay on the cheap in Sing, so I can't recommend a place in particular.

Foodwise, I wouldn't bother with insects and such, but definitely try the durian. A lot of people don't like it, but the durian (and its smell) is so ubiquitous in Southeast Asia that you have to at least give it a try. Chicken rice is a Singapore specialty that you can't leave without trying. Hawker centers are the best places for cheap meals.

Don't miss the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari! You can spend all day (and night) there.

For cheap, recommended accommodation, try The Inn Crowd in Little India.

Hey Tiff:

Would u like to see the Merlion? This statue is magnificent. Maybe you and Gabe can take pictures of this landmark.

This is really anywhere when they get to asia, but they have to try Durian fruit.

It is often called "stinky fruit" by locals because the outter flesh has such a strong smell - it is banned from many resortséhotels the scent is so pungent.

It is considered an addictive fruit, by man and monkey in asia.

Hi TJs, I am Clifton and I grew up in Singapore until my 20th year in existence before coming to Tucson, Arizona for college in 2003. I still go back every year and I miss my country terribly (and my mum too). I couchsurf and would love to bring you guys around my beloved homeland and show you all Singapore has to offer. But since have my educational responsibilities in the USA, I shall do my best to showcase my country and recommend the things that we locals do for fun.

Changi Airport.

Before I begin, try to get your producers to let you fly on Singapore Airlines, its dope. Maybe get them to contact the Singapore tourism board, they might just sponsor you guys.

Do you know that Changi Airport has been winning awards for best airport in the world since its opening in 1981? In the airport you will find, cinemas, shopping, hotels, massage centers, shower rooms, fitness center .. all that commercial stuff (personally, I do not care for these stuff but if good for travelers with long transit times) with pleasantly clean and well kept general areas. But there is also free internet pods around, free phones (local calls), free television lounges, free children playgrounds, prayer rooms, free dimmed areas for sleeping with recliners free(best for backpackers like me!), free trolleys, aquariums with sharks and exotic fishes (small ones).. If you want you can take advantage of a free city tour provided by the airport, I think its lasts around 4 hours and you can ask for it at the Singapore Visitors Centre. But I have to warn you that this is sort of a tourist destination bus ride. Brings you to the main tourist attractions and its just a very brief look at what Singapore has to offer. But its free and free is good. So this would give you guys a first glimpse of the efficient, clean and organized character of this sunny tropical island state. But be warned, the moment you step out of the airport get ready to face a sweep blanket of moist warm tropical heat. You will know when you get there, it feels so thick sometimes I feel I can cut the air into 2 thick pieces.

Free Lodging!

Well, I am not sure whether your producers will allow it but there a number of couchsurfers in Singapore. Just go to couchsurfing.com and you might find people willing to host you for free (for a couple of days). Otherwise, for cheap accommodations
You can try http://www.betelbox.com/ or http://www.the-inncrowd.com/ or Hangout @ Mt. Emily or www.hotel1929.com (this one I heard from my friend is really cool, almost booked it for my birthday once) These accommodations at $18 a night, its not too bad. Given that the size of Singapore and the fantastic transportation system, just about anywhere in town is accessible. But I wouldn’t trust myself too much on these paid accommodations, I personally have not been to these establishments, I always just go back to my own bed at home.

Transportation
I will not spend too much time on this except to say that purchasing the ezlink card and placing value in it is cheaper than buying single tickets for your travels using the MRT and the SBS bus. Singaporeans mainly commute using these two forms of transport and it is fairly cheap, very reliable and it gets you to almost everywhere in Singapore. They run from 5.30 am (I think, seldom up that early) to about 12.30 at night. They both belong to the government so if you take a MRT, followed by a SBS bus and then change to another SBS bus, you pay a discounted rate rather than the full rates. Ok you are probably confused at this point. Go there to get more info. http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/sbstravelguide/index.htm http://www.smrt.com.sg/smrt/routemap/routemap.htm

Taxis are a good option if you are out late after 12.30. If you are out clubbing, you WILL be greeted with a long queue of cabs outside the clubs waiting to take drunken customers home. But be warned that most taxis only take 4 people. The ones that take more than 4 are call London cabs, if you call for them on the phone its going to be more expensive, but if somehow you manage to flag it down on the street its the same price as the other cabs.

Food

In Singapore, food isn’t that expensive. There are plenty of affordable food places called hawker centres. A meal probably costs 3-4 singapore dollars and beverages another 1.5, so I suggest you top up on your liquids and just have the main dish. Its probably cheaper to eat in these place than to buy food in the supermarkets. Besides, you get to do what all Singaporeans do, eat at hawker centers and mingle with the locals. You can recognize them but the open air seats with many different stalls selling all sorts of different food. A short quick guide to know what is good, just go around the tables to see what people are eating or to see which stall has the long queue formed in front of it. (First, we are really crazy about food, I once waited 2 hours just to eat frog. Haha if you want recommendations to that I will give it to you ) I have many recommendations for food in these stalls, I can name you a recommendation for any type of Singaporean food you want. But if I do that I would just kill the server (if I haven’t already done that). But if you want recommendations, just ask and I’ll be glad to give you some.

Alright guys, I’ll stick to a few. Here is a good one. This is an Indian restaurant that serves good vegetarian fare. The good is great, but what gets you is the cultural environment that engulfs you while you eat. They actually support the temple of fine arts and the food is prepared by voluntary housewives, doctors, teachers, technicians, clerks and accountants to want to spread the Indian hospitality. The coolest thing about this place is that it has a pay what you want concept. So if you are low on moolah, this is a place to check. Personally, the entire experience is too liberating and enriching that I seldom leave without paying more than a few dollars over the recommended prices. But if you do pay less than the recommended prices, no questions will be asked and they are nice about it. Especially if they see you guys as starving backpackers. Annalakshmi Restaurant 5, Coleman Street #02-10, Excelsior Hotel, Singapore 179805, Tel : (65) 6339 9993


Gabe I saw your vegemite vlog on the vegemite challenge, Now I have got a better challenge for you. It is time for you to conquer the TULANG!!! Its actually bone-steak, basically it’s the lamb bones cooked in blood red sauce and the idea is to eat the bits of meat on the knuckles and then .. get this.. suck out the marrow from the bone. Basically, your hands will be blood red and you will look like a cannibal eating raw food. Its great for television and its authentic Singaporean Malay food. Honestly, it tastes real good just that it looks disgusting. So you in or you out? If you are in, go to Golden Mile Food Centre. It’s a stand alone complex and I think you can get there using SBS bus 100. The three best Tulang stalls in Singapore are there so I would not recommend going anywhere else. Once you get there, it’s the three stalls at foot of the centre staircase at the basement. Go around 6pm -10pm, anytime earlier its still being cooked. My personnel favourite is the centre stall and be warned they will fight for your business as you approach the stalls. Order one tulang $8 with bread. Enjoy! As for Durians, its definitely an acquired taste, the texture is mushy, it smells bad and sometimes its really bitter. I do not know why, but I like it.. haha Its definitely a challenge so if you want. Go for it man, personally I think tulang would be much easier on you.

As for tasting crabs, I would also say it is a definite must. Tony, if you like crabs, you are going to have to kill yourself if you miss this one. Although it can get pretty pricey, I suggest you guys pool your money together on a final meal and spurge on one chili crab meal. Yes, in contrary to the other recommendations of pepper crab. I think chili crab is much better and it is more representative of Singaporean food. Its been said to Singapore’s signature food, though it has been disputed. If you do get around to eating this, always ask for the Live Sri Lankan Crabs. It’s the juiciest, freshest and best ever crab you would ever have. But be prepared to shell out $150 for five of you even at a hawker center just for the crabs, but trust me its money well spent. Personal recommendation is the Mellben Seafood, the address is Block 232 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 (st22) #01-1222 Tel: 62856762. Its always packed so go early or call them. This place is seriously one of the best crab places in town. It’s a bit hard to find (near to Ang Mo Kio MRT station), but wow.. its not a restaurant, its open air concept, its slighty cheaper (though still expensive) Having eaten so many chili crabs, this place takes the cake. No signboard and long beach are good, but they are way over hyped and I think financial success has gotten to their heads, they just do not make it as good as before. But this place, I also suggest the butter fried crabs, the pepper crab and the crab beehoon soup. Three different crab dishes would probably set you back $160 but it will eat 5 TJs and make them very very happy. I would put my money behind this one.

Ghost hunting
But Josh aren’t you into the extremes? Well, I did this once and it scared the **** out of me. Go ghost hunting at Old Changi Hospital. Its an abandoned old hospital that is about seven stories tall. Explore the rooms and try to go down to the bottom floor (it’s the former morgue) using one of the few staircases that serve the entire building. Its pitch dark down there and gosh, it must have been where I was most frightened in my life. Its near to Changi Village which is cool in itself, it has an active transsexual prostitute scene there along with a couple of decent watering holes. So you guys can hang around Changi Village for dinner and a couple of beers before taking the plunge. Its wildly exciting and heart pounding, but be warned things might really happen. Ask the locals at Changi Village and they will direct you to it. Bring a torchlight and your guts.

Kelong Stay.
Kelongs are basically houses on sticks build in the middle of the sea. You take a Boat to this Kelong and then you can fish swim and cook what you catch. Its pretty chill and relaxed and the cool thing is that you literally sleep just a few feet above the sea. Its chill and I think Tiff will like it. I can’t remember the contact to get to these kelongs, but I am sure you guys are resourceful enough to find out.

Treetop Walk
Speaking of Tiff, I love nature too and I love to go hiking and see the green forests that this tropical region offers. The treetop walk starts at uumm, I am lazy to type. Go here http://www.nparks.gov.sg/nparks_cms/display_level2.asp?parkid=8&catid=9 It’s a nice trek through tropical vegetation and it has a nice suspension bridge among the treetops So basically it’s a treetop walk. To my knowledge I think this activity is free. But do bring lots of water because the weather in Singapore can be brutal and trekking in the Singapore climate without sufficient water can be real dangerous. Oh yes, bring insect repellent too, you will thank me for that.

Esplanade and the Harbour View
One of the most spectacular views of the Singapore Skyline is from the Esplanade, go there at night and look across the harbor and onto the tall financial buildings that made up the famous skyline. This too is a free activity. Renee if you want to get some cultural grub, the esplanade has plays and concerts going on all the time. Prices can be a bit steep but its one of the best places to catch a good show. The Esplanade is basically an opera house and it is build with the same concept as the Sydney opera house overlooking the city. (but honestly, I think the exterior looks too harsh with all the spikes.. but the interior is nice though)

Partying
Tony and Gabe you are gonna love Singapore. The clubbing scene in Singapore is jumping. Zouk the most famous and best club in Singapore has seen the likely of Paul van dyk, Dj Sasha, Carl Cox and other world class Djs. But the price is pretty steep, Its about $25 per entry. On nights with guest Djs it can go up to about $30. I would suggest come to zouk earlier before 8.30 pm and get a stamp then come back later in the night for the real party. The stamp allows you entry for that entire night and its cheaper at $15 I think, its been several months since I have gone there. Also the drinks inside are ridiculous expensive, one drink can easily cost you $10. But Singaporeans (well at least the young and broke like me) always do some pre gaming and buy like a bottle of Volka and share it with a couple of friends before getting in. Other areas I would recommend is Mohd Sultan Road and maybe Boat Quay (it’s a bit too touristy and expensive for my liking, its mainly frequented by expats living in Singapore.)

I have so much more to share but I think I have written way too long a message. So I am going to stop here for now. If I think of anything else I will write again. And if you have any questions please feel free to post them. I know I didn’t talk much about orchard road, sentosa and all those stuff. I figure that there is plenty of info out there for the tourist on these areas so but if also want more info on this I will also do my best to answer them.

Cheers,
Clifton the Singaporean in Tucson

i stayed yha on mount emily its pretty cool but a bit family geared which bacicly means no bar but their are plenty around it close to little india which had awesome food cool atmosphere singapore is pretty dull mlayasia is much better pulatu titoman is real cool

The TJ's should definitely go to Taman Sentosa. They could catch the water show, I always liked that.
And also go inside the merlion {or whatever it's called} and check out the view from the top.

P.S. : I think they should drop by Indonesia and check out Puncak for the tea leaves and food or Bandung for the waterfall.

suggestions:
1. night safari - you can see nocturnal animals roaming around...
2. ministry of sound - clarke quay..huge club with different types of music in different areas (hiphop, house, retro, etc.)..long queue though...
3. orchard road and bugis junction - for shopping
4. chinatown - for souvenirs/bargains
5. jumbo seafood restaurant - best chilli crabs...eat it with the bun..

Singapore is great-

EAT!! All the suggestions to eat at Newton, etc. at the hawkers are great. the food is very good and affordable.

The Indian good is also worth checking out. Most eat in the traditional style with their hands, served on banana leaves.

The Raffles hotel is very cool. and home of the Singapore Sling. They have a great high tea, but it's expensive...and you need reservations.

Don't worry about trying to find Dorian- you'll smell it blocks away. I couldn't get close enough to eat it, but I think it would be cool to try.

I missed the night zoo safari- but by all accounts it's super cool.

No one mentioned but Singapore is awesome for the collection of Eastern religions that live side by side harmoniously- Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and more. The temples are fantastic- check them out, just check on the dress code for the Muslim mosques.

Have fun- wish I was there.