Singapore

Off to Singapore in two weeks time with the family.

Never been to that part of the world before. Very excited


Anyone been there / lived there? Any tips on good locations to photo 'cityscapes' from ???

Lucky LUCKY bugger

Have been quite a few times - but never really had a chance to do too much photography.

Sentosa Island is worth a visit - use the cable car to get across there for some great views. The windows open so you can get good quality images.

The Mandarin Hotel (I think) on Orchard Road has a revolving restaurant which gives great views at night and several hotels have open areas at teh top with a bar or restaurant for your late night city scape.

Jurong Bird Park

Sri Mariamman Temple - you need to buy a permit to photograph but it is not expensive. Get talking to one of the monks and if you are lucky and you get on, he might open the curtains in front of the deities - they protect them from the sun. It is an unbelievable tranquil spot.

Raffles - for a Singapore Sling!

The market in China Town.

Boat Quay - for the food and pictures of the restaurants at night.


Don't tip, don't spit, don't jaywalk and don't take any drugs. Be wary of street sellers - there are a lot of "fake" goods out there.

If you wear business shirts for work, I can recommend an excellent Chinese tailor (better than the Indian ones). He offers a 2-3 day service and my last batch I ordered from here and a colleague brought them back for me.

Tim - there are lots of old colonial buildings out there - the most famous being the Raffles Hotel, where the Singapore Sling cocktail was "invented". Take a trip around Chinatown, where there are lots of bargains to be had. There's loads there to see and do, as it's both a modern, yet "ancient" territory. You could explore the busy harbour area too, where there are (or used to be) lots of good seafood restaurants. If you fancy a bit of "island-hopping", get yourself signed up to Air Asia link, or Silk Air link where you can avail yourself of cheap flights, as Singapore happens to be a hub airport to many other Far Eastern destinations.

Food-wise - try to avoid the tourist restaurants (especially Raffles!!), and instead eat from the street stalls. Depending where you go, Singapore can be both cheap and expensive in equal measure. On your way home, you will find the prices at Changi Airport Duty-free to be reasonably priced, although I found it cheaper for some things in the local stores in town.

Further to Gamka's excellent points, DO NOT take chewing gum with you. You will get some seriously evil stares from the immigration staff, and God forbid you should ever attempt to chew a stick of gum!!

I have a friend who lives in Singapore

From what he has told me you will love it there

Awesome trip man, I've never been there before as well. Have fun!

Both the Zoo and the Night Safari are excellent. We aren't normally big fans of zoos, but the one in Singapore is superb, probably the best in the world - nothing like any zoos in this country, no cages, huge enclosures. The Night Safari is next to the zoo and is a real experience. Probably too dimly lit even for a DSLR, but a nice change to just look rather than take photos.

You can get a ticket which covers both, online in advance and use either the dedicated bus or DIY using the MRT and bus, it's very easy.

The newly opened Park by the Bay is free entry and easy to get to with the MRT and is a lovely way to spend some time both by day and at night. Some great cityscape views from there and the metal architectural trees make for some great photos (can't post any as I travelled light last time with a non Pentax compact!)

Best views of all from the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel (the one that looks like it has a ship on top). The top viewing area is open to non-residents for a small charge - $20, I think. Features the world's most scary looking infinity pool, but you can't use that unless you are a guest.....

Worth getting the extended pass for the MRT which also covers the buses. Works out very cheap and saves looking for cash each time you travel.

It will be very hot and humid, just a short hop from the equator, so don't skimp on the sun protection, hats and fluids!

Many thanks for the tips Gamka, Steven and Chris. Really useful stuff No shortage of possibilities!

Keep em coming, if anyone else has good ideas/tips

Durian Fruit - they taste great and you can sit and eat them in the local markets. However, they STINK and hotels ban them. Quite often you will see a sign by the lifts showing a fruit with a cross through it.

You are probably OK going in August - September is the start of the rainy season and it can be torrential and I have seen Orchard Road totally flooded.

You can use the MRT or Airport Shuttle bus to get from Changi to teh city. However, I always use a taxi/limousine as it is quicker and will get you to exactly the spot you want and not via several other stops.

The taxi journey is not that expensive especially if there will be several of you and if you want they will take "pre-bookings" but not essential. It is always nice to arrive at your hotel in a nice Mercedes and given the cost of your flights is S$50 or so that much?

Going back to the tailor - he also does ladies blouses and more.

Indeed

Thanks for all the tips folks, we had a great trip

Made it to some of the places you recommended - including Chinatown, the wonderful Sri Mariamma temple, the Quay and harbour, Gardens by the Bay - all for which were fascinating. A bit too much family herding was involved to the detriment of dedicated 'togging , but here are a few tourist snaps to prove I went


Downtown from the Pinnacle



Containers (the scale of the shipping and docks was :shock



Chinatown 1



Chinatown 2



Sri Mariamma Temple



Orchard Road



Gardens by the Bay 1



Gardens by the Bay 2



Durian 1 (real!)



Durian 2 (Esplanade Theatre)

Great set of photos!! Glad you enjoyed yourself as well!!

Some great pics there.... I really like the
Sri Mariamma Temple one.