Singapore with Manya
Singapore is a small island country of 682 square kilometers, and one of the most populated countries in the world.
Date: September 2007
Trip Location: Singapore
Singapore: The majority of the population is of Chinese ancestry, the rest of the population is mainly Malays and Indians. The official language is English, but Malay, Mandarin and Tamil is also spoken.
Places Visited: City Centre, China Town, Little India, the Colonial District where the mythical Merlion Statue stands. It is half fish and half lion, symbol of Singapore. Must stops: A “Singapore Sling” at the Long Bar, at Raffles Hotel, Night Safari on Sentosa Island and Songs of the Sea Show at night on Sentosa Island.
Travel Tips: Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world, an important point for women travelling alone. Instead of taxis or buses, try the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), it is efficient, clean, easy to navigate and very inexpensive. Tickets can be purchased at GTMs (General Ticketing Machines) at every MRT station. You can travel anywhere in Singapore for only $S1.00 each way. Tipping is not a way a life in Singapore, and it is even prohibited at the airport. However hotels and restaurants will levy a 10% charge on all bills in lieu of tipping. Smoking is forbidden almost everywhere and highly enforced as well, even chewing gum may be fined up to SGD$1000.
Favorite Hotel: The Shangri-La, for its luxury and location just off the hustle and bustle of the Singapore Business District, and The Sentosa Resort and Spa on Sentosa Island with its luxurious rooms, lush tropical gardens, tranquil ambience and wonderful Spa.
Shopping: Shopping is the favorite past-time in Singapore. Electronics, cameras, designer clothing, crafts, is available in the multitude of shopping centers, open till 10pm every day. Most hotels offer shuttle buses to the closest center. Spa treatments are very inexpensive and available in all major hotels. A must try: foot reflexology at Singapore Underwaterworld. First your dip your feet in a cool bath full of Turkish Spa fishes that will gently nibble on your feet to leave them smooth and revitalized. It’s quite an experience!
Best Time to Travel: With tropical weather all year round, you can travel to Singapore any time. Monsoon seasons are generally from December to March and from June to September.