Singapore

Overall Review:

Singapore is a city where authentic culture meets the latest technologies. It’s a unique place where one can buy the cheapest souvenirs (in the area of Little India) or stay in the most expensive hotel (Marina Bay Sands). You can find everything there: hindu temples, skyscrapers, interactive museums, creative posters, 24 hour open local food restaurants, people with business outfits and people wearing the flip flops. Brief, the buzz and fuzz of the city will never let you feel bored.

What I liked the most: despite the high speed of life people seem to live in a harmony.

What I dislike the most: the fines as I always had the fear of getting fined for something. Besides, the whole place is flooded with cameras. It’s kind of creepy, don’t you think so?

General Tips:

- Singapore is often called “fine” city which means that aside of being one of the most developed places in the world it also has a system of paying fines for breaking the rules. The rules are quite strict here ( for example the penalty for drug import is capital punishment).

Concerning the other harsh rules (not as harsh as the previous one though) one should notice that fine for littering is 1500 $ or fine for eating durian in public places is 5000$.

Another weird rule is that you should never eat or drink in the public transport (fine 5000$). So, seriously consider whether you really want to drink the last drops of your sprite on the bus or not :)

- It’s useful to get an Eazy Card for the public transport which can be obtained just at the airport for only 12$ including 7$ on the card.

- Always try to travel by subway as the metro infrastructure is very simple and well designed. Besides, it’s really cheap :)

- Try to find a hotel which is close to the subway. I stayed at V hotel which was located just in the same building with the subway station.

- Take an umbrella or be ready to buy one. It is often raining in Singapore.

To see:

There are many things to see in Singapore but as for 1-2 days those are the greatest spots of the city:

- Marina Bay

- Gardens by the Bay (Try to visit both at a daytime and in the evening)

- Orchard Road (for luxury shopping)

- Little India (there many Indian markets and shops in the area where you can purchase almost anything even some Bollywood CDs)

- Chinatown (full of Chinese Restaurants and souvenir shops)

- Sentosa (in case you have 1 full day to spend there as the number of entertainment activities is huge, so plan your time wisely). As to me, I have been to Universal Studios and S.E.A Aquarium and both of them were fascinating!

To eat:

- Kayaki breakfast. It's their local breakfast which includes toast with butter and a cup of coffee.

- Chicken Rice. The most popular national food (inexpensive and delicious)

- Ais Kacang. Malaysian dessert which is very common in Singapore.

- Sling ( a famous cocktail).

To spend:

Singapore is an expensive place to stay especially considering the accommodation. If you are a mid-range traveller consider spending 200-250 $ per day (including accommodation, 3 times meal, entertainment, public transport and a little bit of shopping).

Please note that the above mentioned amount of money is only estimated cost and your actual trip expenses might vary depending on your interests and choices.