Looking For Info On Singapore

[Bobfrance]

Hi Gang,

It appears my partner and I have the opportunity to take a little holiday for ten days or so in December.

We plan to travel far away from the dismal British winter weather and have hit upon the idea of Singapore.

After a hard year's work the idea of a relaxing break is very appealing, but I tend to get bored or relaxing pretty quickly and soon become a nuisance. So our plan is to split the holiday up into five days or so in Singapore itself and the remainder at a more relaxed pace preferably somewhere quiet, perhaps by the sea.

So may questions are:

Where would you recommend as the best location/hotel to stay in for experiencing Singapore? (both the city and the rest of the island)

And...

Where is a good beach resort in the locality? I hear there are small islands nearby that can be reached by ferry.

Of course any other information or advice that could help us would be gratefully received.

Kind regards!

Bob. 🙂

 

[craygc]

Bob,

If I was going to South East Asia for a holiday, I'd be going to Thailand - its just hitting peak season, tourist numbers are way down (50%) and there are likely very good deals around. Not sure what you expect to see or experience in Singapore but I would not view it as a relaxation locale. Plenty of high-end shopping malls that are the same as anywhere else in the world, Little India, China Town and a good selection of food. PM me and I can always be more specific... 😀

 

[Bobfrance]

Thanks for the reply Craig.

I am looking forward to the food selection - I hear it's very good.
I guess we're looking to have both a city break and a beach break really.

The initial plan was to spend time in Singapore and then perhaps to catch a ferry to somewhere like Bintan Island.

 

[craygc]

Bintan is ok (nice resort type of place). What I dislike about it is that everything is based on Singapore prices. If I can help with any more info just let me know...

 

[urban_alchemist]

God Singapore is DULLLLLLLLLLLL!

It is a tiny island with very little to do apart from shopping malls and a few tiny cramped 'ethnic centres' (Chinese, Indian etc.) It is a commerce-centred police (city)state with nothing going for it if you're not there for the business. And as for food - apart from Chilly Crab (absolutely delicious), you'll do much better pretty much anywhere else in Asia (I personally think Tokyo has the best food I've sampled anywhere in the world)....

If you're going to schlep all the way from the UK to Asia, I'd advise anywhere BUT Singapore. If you want a city holiday, how about Hong Kong or Tokyo (two of, IMO, the most dynamic and otherworldly cities in the world)?

I personally don't much like Thailand, but as long as you choose your place carefully and well, it can be great fun and very beautiful (just don't expect the 'unspoilt oasis' of the ads) - and Bangkok is an absolute riot. I hear Vietnam is wonderful as well (although I have no first-hand experience), and there's always Bali if you want just beaches...

But seriously. Just say no to Singapore.

 

[BillP]

Bob, I echo Urban Alchemist's comments on Singapore. I spent a few days in both SG and Hanoi a couple of years ago and it was like chalk and cheese. I would never go to Singapore again, but I would board a plane to Hanoi at the drop of a hat. Fantastic, photogenic, chaotic, colourful, buzzy and intoxicating.

Regards,

Bill

 

[Bobfrance]

Hmm, not many positive votes for Singapore as a holiday destination, but thanks for the feedback guys. 🙂

Would anybody care too suggest other options?
I'm already looking into Vietnam and Hong Kong. As I said previously we would like to have a mix of busy city and quiet beach/countryside.

Bob.

 

[fixbones]

Bob,

I lived in singapore for a year and a half and frankly, unless you are planning to do some shopping or there is a specific reason why you need to go to singapore, i wouldn't go there for vacation otherwise.

To be fair, i am from Malaysia originally and i wouldn't go there for holidays too.

My suggestions:
1. Thailand is over touristed but still has its charm and beauty. I've never been to northern Thailand and i heard its quite beautiful. I was in Bangkok for about 5 days and had a great time.

2. Vietnam is lovely!!!!. I went to Hoi An, Hanoi and Halong bay when i was there.Would go back again in a heart beat. Definitely worth considering.

3. Cambodia sounds nice too - i am going there end of next month to find out if its true =D

 

[ZeissFan]

Do not take any amount of illicit drugs into Singapore. None. They have very stiff penalties, including hanging.

Regarding Cambodia, in certain areas, if they tell you, "Do not stray from the marked path," it's for your own well being. Some areas still have land mines, and you don't want to step on one.

 

[ZeissFan]

I found Singapore to be interesting, but not nearly as interesting or as fun as Hong Kong. It's a safe place to raise a family, but that also means that it's a bit dull.

There are a lot of rules in Singapore. I once saw a guy smoking outside an elevator, and when a policeman approached him, he apologized immediately and began to apologize profusely.

I've always had fun to wherever I've traveled, but Singapore is near the bottom of the list for places that I'd visit again.

 

[urban_alchemist]

Bob,

Thailand is over touristed but still has its charm and beauty. I've never been to northern Thailand and i heard its quite beautiful. I was in Bangkok for about 5 days and had a great time.

That was what I found most disturbing about Thailand: it was (especially in the South) as if it had sold its soul to tourism - a den of iniquity where anything was acceptable if accompanied by cold hard cash. Bangkok is great fun, and the North is beautiful (I spent a while in and around Chiang Mai), but I wouldn't go back. Also, North and Bangkok lack a beach, and I wouldn't go back to the South if you paid me...

Regarding Hong Kong: it is fantastic, but I think you'd probably get bored after a few days unless you were visiting Hong Ki friends who could submerge you in the local life. As I said above, Japan's amazing, and it is only a cheap 3-hour flight from Hong Kong. 10 days would get you Hong Kong, plus enough time to do Tokyo and Kyoto by Shinkanzen (bullet-train) - although there would not be any beach.

If you really do desperately want sun and sand, you'll probably need to head further south.

Looks like Vietnam sounds like your best bet if you want to have your cake and eat it. I would love to go - actually me and the girlfriend are planning 10 days there this March en-route to Japan...

 

[urban_alchemist]

Just a suggestion: are you set on Asia or would you consider elsewhere?

There's always Buenos-Aires/Punta del Este, and it's only 3 hours' jetlag...

 

[wombatjuice]

Well, being Singaporean, to me I think some attractions of Singapore are the melting pot of different cultures and FOOD! Food is almost everywhere and available even in the wee hours.

However, as most people have mentioned, it's basically a city state. The usual malls, buildings and such. It does get boring after a while. If you don't have an itenary planned, or a specific attraction to visit, you will get bored really quickly. Any particular reason to visit Singapore?

Somewhere up there, someone also posted about it being a police state. Yep, things run here pretty by the book (well, most of the time). But, I do give credit to them, after dark it's one of the safest countries to be in.

Perhaps instead of spending 5 days, 3 days would suffice? Go visit other countries in the SEA region. Oh, and hope to see you soon here. 🙂

 

[Bobfrance]

Thanks for all your input guys - It's a great help.

There's no specific reason to go to Singapore other than it's nearly winter over here and we need to travel a good way, either west or east, to get a little warmth.

Vietnam interests me and I found some twin-centre trips available to Kuala Lumpur/Borneo which could be worth a look (anyone been?).

Buenos-Aires/Punta del Este sounds good too although it may be outside our budget. I'll do some more research tomorrow.

I really appreciate all your assistance guys. 🙂

Bob.

 

[fuzk]

Being Singaporean myself, I have to say the country is definitely interesting if you know where to look! That being said, the island can be dull and boring because, as I see it, we're too safe.

Maybe you could tell us what you expect to do/see so that we'll be able to help you further. Of course, other countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia are good suggestions too.

Kuala Lumpur to me is a bit like Singapore, although probably with a stronger identity of their own. Like what wombatjuice said, Singapore is a melting pot of culture so what you get is really a mash-up of everything.

Regardless of your final destination, I hope your partner and you enjoy your trip! 🙂

Best,
Jy

 

[jonmanjiro]

Don't come to Tokyo if you want "relaxing". Here's a shot below of what just crossing the street in Shibuya looks like at any time day or night.

For relaxing, I'd go to northern Thailand or even Laos. IMO few things beat sipping beers by the Mekong at sunset in Luang Prabang, Laos and watching the world go by.

 

[Rayt]

Having lived in Asia for a very long time and have been to all those places mentioned I would without hesitation recommend Vietnam to anyone. Central Vietnam from DaNang to the Chinese border is wonderful. Fly to Hanoi but only reserve your hotel for two days max. While enjoying the city you should start booking some local tours. Go to the Opera Hilton and there is one in the lobby. Very good reputation. I have done most of these private tours and they are cheap by European standards. They are all excellent. After your tours and to really relax you will fly to Da Nang where you will continue your journey by taxi to Hoi An. It is a very interesting historic resort town with beaches, landmarks, etc., a perfect place to do nothing for a while.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I loved Hanoi and Hoi An. The only negative thing I experienced was that the hawkers on the street are sooooo persistent. The ones I came across were a class above any I'd seen in any other Asian country. They even have the hawkers in Bali beat. Can be a real PITA at times.

 

[Rayt]

I loved Hanoi and Hoi An. The only negative thing I experienced was that the hawkers on the street are sooooo persistent. The ones I came across were a class above any I'd seen in any other Asian country. They even have the hawkers in Bali beat. Can be a real PITA at times.

I know what you mean! I travel to Hanoi and HCMC regularly and there are fewer hawkers now. I guess their economy is really picking up.