What to do in Singapore?

It really depends on what interests you. Could you please be a bit more specific. Its too open a question to ask. Beach? Cars? Shopping? Culture? Food?

 

Really also depends on how your meetings and customer evenings are scheduled.... the way dinner meetings typically protract here in Singapore... you may just wish to rest.... seriously.

 

As luck would have it i am also over in Singapore for 4 days from this Saturday. Not business but pleasure as a fried is getting married in Bali next week. If any of you have any suggestions of the following I'd be most grateful:
- Best restaurant to eat at with local cuisine
- If there is one thing/activity I should do, visit, try before i leave or I would have missed out what would it be?
- Where is the best shopping. I would look to buy some electronics and suits. My girlfriend I am afraid, will look to buy everything else as she has been told everything is very cheap vs London

i know this is a wide remit but nay ideas welcome!

Adesalos, I hope I am not hijacking your thread here and that any info would be helpful to you too. If i am please tell me.
Cheers
Philip

 

I recently (last week) went to East Coast to the Long Beach Seafood Restaurant. Great chilli and pepper crab, plus no end of other delicacies.

Note there are several places called Long Beach. This one is specifically on the East Coast retail/leisure estate (can't recall the exact name). And very popular.

A local recommendation from a (local) friend who eats there regularly.

If you like vegetarian food, try Original Sin in Holland Village. Amazing food (I'm a bona fide salad dodger, but loved it) and the wine list is very extensive.

There's not a massive amount that I would say you'd kick yourself about to be honest. But it's a good place to chill.

Perhaps take in Sunday brunch at Raffles, Chijmes or the Fullerton (tried them all over time, all are great).

You should take in a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar at Raffles regardless (if you've never been before). The drink's not that nice, but the bar's ultra colonnial, as is the hotel.

I actually thought the zoo there was quite impressive too (but I went there 10yrs ago), if you like that sort of thing.

Funan mall (think the spelling's OK). The gear's not dodgy and the prices are pretty good (barter hard, know what things cost over here etc).

There's another whose name escapes me (Sinian or similar) which is perhaps a shade cheaper, but looks a little less kosher.

Not sure about suits. I think Little India might be a sensible place to try, but have yet to buy this sort of stuff from Singapore.

Needless to say, your other half will not be short of places to spend your cash. Again, just make sure you know what you can get stuff for here/on the internet. Some stuff is a lot cheaper there, but savings can be busted if you get stiffed for VAT etc on the way back in. So make sure the savings are worth the risk. The internet has been a great global leveller in many respects.


If you've never been before, prepare yourself for stifling heat/humidity when you get out of the airport. I've been lucky to travel most places, but every time I go back to Singapore I never quite remember how stifling it really is.

Great place though. And some great bars!

 

Cheers Andy

Very helpful indeed. I'll print it out and take it with me !

Philip

 

Yap, you can't go wrong buying electronic stuffs here like digital cameras etc. Almost 30% off London's prices for some models & there's good deals+free gifts attached during fairs on weekends. Funan IT Mall is good. Sim Lim Square is next with many wholesalers but crappy dealers. Beware of quality & prices.

If you like to try local food, get a copy of "Makansutra" food guide, hop on taxi & bring you to housing estates' food centres. Cheap food & exotic tastes. GBP$3-5 should fill you up. Want some river view & good atmosphere? Try Indochine @ Empress Place(Here's a good musuem too), opp. Boat Quay (where all the pubs & restaurants are on that side), dance @ Zouk disco till 2am. At night, walk along the Esplanade theatre Bay to catch a cityscape.

Go down "Holland Village" near Clementi for many unique little shops selling fashion, houseware, gifts, handicrafts to abundance of eateries. Good for at least 5hours.

There's tailors all over the shopping distict but make sure you check their workmanship on the finished items & materials. You can find some very nice textiles from branded houses as well with them. I did a business suit using top grade wool from Armani for just US$400.

 

Thanks Jon !

I'm really glad I asked, some really good pointers so far. i am flying tomorow but my mind is already on holiday