Author Topic: Singapore Master Thread  (Read 128705 times)

Offline Eli

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #20 on: July 16, 2010, 06:29:50 AM »
So if it's Zoo or Safari, which do you recommend, and whichever one I do, what do I do on the other day?
-Eli

Offline Dan

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #21 on: October 13, 2010, 09:51:20 PM »
Eli, what did you wind up doing and where did you wind up staying in SIN?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #22 on: October 13, 2010, 10:17:54 PM »
Eli, what did you wind up doing and where did you wind up staying in SIN?
Wasn't it the Fairmont?

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #23 on: March 05, 2012, 03:25:45 PM »
Looking for recommendations for hotel.

Not looking to spend a fortune but if its nice don't mind splurging a little

No C&P available and while the St Regis looks beautiful, SGD470 (~US375) or 20k SPG seems a little steep, no?

Grand Hyatt 18k GP points.

Looks like IC Family & Friends is SGD$287 (~US$225).

Can get the Mandarin Oriental for SGD$360 (~US$285).

Thoughts on any of these? Other recommendations?
« Last Edit: March 05, 2012, 03:31:12 PM by aussiebochur »

Offline Dan

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #24 on: March 05, 2012, 03:48:41 PM »
Mandarin Oriental is ranked #1 of 260 hotels in SIN by TA and seems like a no-brainer at $285 if you can swing it.
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Offline Cbs

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #25 on: April 03, 2012, 02:04:20 PM »
i see here a few links and places to go to.
what would you say to do (and not to do) in a 14 hour layover? giving some lee-way time to get back to airport.
time will be from about noon til a bit after midnight.

Has anyone spent Pesach there or been there Chol Hamoed? whats with food there over pesach?

How expensive are things there? taxis? busses? (no restaurants :( )

if i check in under luggage will i need to take it around with me?
« Last Edit: April 03, 2012, 02:24:44 PM by Cbs »

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #26 on: April 08, 2012, 12:14:03 PM »
You should be able to have your bags checked through.

Immigration is usually super quick.

In general, the MRT (subway) is cheap, nice and easy to get around with. Though, taxis arent expensive, especially if you are short on time.
A taxi from the airport to the Jewish center should run you about S$20-$25 and take about 20-25 min.
I take a taxi from the airport and the MRT in town.

The Jewish Center has a restaurant which is open for breakfast lunch and supper, although im not sure exactly the operations over pesach.
The kosher store definitely has kosher for pesach products.

Judging from your HKG layover, youre pretty good at moving around so you may be able to do more things then others could.

Youve got to check out Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
Its officially S$20 to go up to the SkyPark and admission to the infinity pool limited to the hotel guests...

Sentosa is a nice cable car ride away and has tons to do. S$26 RT for the cable cars and then you can buy all sorts of packages if you want to visit the other attractions.
Personally not sure if theres enough time to go over there  to make it worth it if you want to see/do other things.

Orchard Road is very famous for its shopping with massive malls and high end stores.
If you're into shopping its worth a visit.

For the best "I was in Singapore" pics, head down to the Marina Bay (closest MRT is Raffles Place) where you can see the Merlion and get great pics of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. From there its about a 20 min walk around the bay to the hotel if you like walking.

Singapore Flyer is the largest Ferris wheel ride in the world which offers awesome panoramic views of the city.
I went at sunset and thought it was well worth it.
Its almost S$30, and the top of Marina Bay Sands will have similar views, so not really missing anything if you give it a skip.
Note, if you do decide to go there can be some wait to get on. So plan accordingly.
The Singapore flyer is right near the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

Little India is pretty authentic and interesting to walk around but mainly known for its food and temples which may not be exactly what youre looking for.

While I didnt get to do the Night Safari, I would have liked to and definitely think its a good option for night when other things are closed. (Unless you enjoy gambling, Marina Bay Sands is open as well. Bring your passport.)

If you high end hotels interest you, there's plenty of them to check out as well.

In general people are friendly, everyone speaks English and its just a nice place to hang around.
It can get pretty humid during the day so dress light.

There may be some other things but cant think of them right now.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask and I can try answer them.

Enjoy your trip and when you get back Id be greatful if you could help me with this ;)
« Last Edit: April 08, 2012, 12:24:34 PM by aussiebochur »

Offline Cbs

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #27 on: April 08, 2012, 04:39:38 PM »
thanx for the run down!
it seems through this and some research that the main place to check out (besides marina bay) is Sentosa Island. so i think im gonna head there first (after a stop at Chabad) see whats going on there and then towards evening come to Marina Bay and then maybe Orchard Road.
the Safari seems a bit far but it all depends on how much time i spend in other places.
MRT seems to take up to much time.
weather wise, i think anything can be better now than Bangkok - its 95 degrees every day, hot humid  and sticky , so i hope SIN wont be too cold

all-in-all it seems that it can be quite costly to do everything, - especially coming from bangkok where a 30 min taxi ride is under $10.

when i was in HK i planned the trip before i went - here i dont have much of a plan, its more play it as it goes and figure it out there. so we'll see!
thanx again (off to the airport in 2 hours - gotta catch some sleep :) )

Offline Cbs

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #28 on: April 17, 2012, 04:53:01 PM »
Trip Report - 14 Hour Stopover

$1 USD = $1.24 - all currencies in this post is Singapre dollar

11:30am - Landed. Fairly quick to get thru immigration and grabbed a few maps exchanged $100 and got S$122 then got in line for the taxi.

1. Took a taxi to the Jewish Center / Chabad- 24 waterloo - it took about 20 min. Make sure you have your passport with you becuase the security gaurd will have to check you in. Taxi: $19.00
    Went up to the 6th floor and ate (my own food) in their restaurant, since it was on pesach and they have kitniyos. then davened sat on comp for a bit trying to workout the rest of day.

2. At 2:30 left my bags at Jewish Center and headed out to Vivo City where i there is an express 'train' to Sentosa island (all attractions are on that link and prices etc. - its split by train stops) - its a fairly quick train (just a few minutes) Taxi: $6.50 (6-7 minutes) - Train: $3 One-way  and FREE on the island between all stops - Here are other ways to get to island

3. Got off at last stop - the beach - and took a left to the Segways. Paid for a locker to put my stuff in and bought one round. its a pretty small track and you can also by for longer and go along the beaches. i would say its not worth the money but i had to try it out (first time). Segway: $12 - Locker $1.00
the worker that went behind me was really nice and let me go for another round on the house!

4. Walked to Palawan Beach - 5 min - and took some shots there. Palawan is the nicest and biggest beach out of the all of them there. and it has kids activities there as well. then walked back towards the other beaches and went into "indoor skydiving" place but didnt do it because its about $80 a person! then i went back to the train. you can also go around with a free trolly but i walked

5. Got off at the next stop and took some nice pics of the area and walked all the way up - with escalator - to the Cable Carts. On the way gave a guy $5 and took a pic with a big snake around my neck! i recommend it...:)

6. went into a gift shop where u buy the tickets for the Cable Carts.i bought only a one way but theres an option to do a little more the one way for another $2 - i dont see a reason to though - and went back to Vivo city (station)/ Cable Carts:  $24

7. Waved down a taxi and went to Marina Bay Sands. Bought a ticket to go to top and took some real nice pics (the pool area was only open to hotel guests) Taxi: $13.50 / Ticket: $20

8. then went to basement and checked out the Casino there for a few minutes - ull need your passport to get it - and went through the mall to go outside. Walked around the Marina Bay, its a GORGEOUS walk and if you like a nice 20 min walk around water and buildings and clean floor then i recommend it. From the opposite side where the Lion is you can get some nice pics of the Marina Bay hotel.

9. Took a taxi to the Chabad / Jewish Center where i ate my own supper. and stayed there for mincha/maariv and hung out with the Chabad Bochurim that are there for the year. Taxi: $7

10. Took bus #190 to Clarke Quay. its a really nice place to walk and some bars there at night (but pesach so no drinks) and its relaxing there. Bus:$1.10 (a few stops from Chabad) make sure you have exact change - they dont give change

11. Got lost on my way back with the bus and got offf by Orchard road - which is known for its shopping but it was all closed cuz it was like 10pm and i walked for $10 minutes to the Chabad. Bus $2 (no change) and sat on comp for a bit - then headed back to Airport for 1 am flight. Taxi: $21.00

i would suggest to take more busses if you want to save money but dont get lost!
and on Sentosa island theres a lot to do - i never made it to the first stop - which theres universal studios there and some other stuff.

if you have any questions, please ask!

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #29 on: April 18, 2012, 12:54:06 AM »
Nice report.

Why do you recommended buses over subway?

Offline Cbs

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #30 on: April 18, 2012, 01:32:07 AM »
Nice report.

Why do you recommended buses over subway?
ur right. subway is prob better. i just never took the subway so i forgot to mention it. but i hear if you dont know your way around you can get lost easily.

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #31 on: April 18, 2012, 09:21:58 AM »
ur right. subway is prob better. i just never took the subway so i forgot to mention it. but i hear if you dont know your way around you can get lost easily.
Maps are pretty easy to follow. They even have different colors for different lines...

Offline Expert Flyer

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #32 on: April 21, 2012, 07:59:16 PM »
Maps are pretty easy to follow. They even have different colors for different lines...

Transit (public transport) direction is available on Google Maps for Singapore.
In generally, I found too that people were very friendly to help people out.
Didn't get to do the Singapore Flyer, but for the Marina Bay Sands, just say you want to have a drink (a drink costs only 10 SGD in the SkyBar)

How was the night safari?

Offline Cbs

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #33 on: April 24, 2012, 05:18:06 AM »
Didn't get to do the Singapore Flyer, but for the Marina Bay Sands, just say you want to have a drink (a drink costs only 10 SGD in the SkyBar)

How was the night safari?
i realized that people were going up for free saying that they were getting a drink. do you actually have to get a drink once you go up?
i personally couldnt because it was on Chol Hamoed. (chametz)

and i didnt make it to the night safari and aussibochur didnt either. who was that directed to?

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #34 on: April 24, 2012, 03:05:01 PM »
i realized that people were going up for free saying that they were getting a drink. do you actually have to get a drink once you go up?
i personally couldnt because it was on Chol Hamoed. (chametz)

and i didnt make it to the night safari and aussibochur didnt either. who was that directed to?

Instead of purchasing a ticket for the Skybar, simply say you want to get a drink [at the Ku Dé Ta]. The cheapest drink is 10 SGD approximately.

Offline moish

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #35 on: April 25, 2012, 12:24:39 PM »
night safari was just ok. chiang mai night safari is far superior

Offline bigworld

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #36 on: July 05, 2012, 08:10:09 AM »
thinking of being in singapore for a weekend (thursday-monday) this august-however ill be with a baby (4 months old) anyone have any ideas or experience with shabbos there?

Offline moish

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #37 on: July 05, 2012, 05:13:44 PM »
thinking of being in singapore for a weekend (thursday-monday) this august-however ill be with a baby (4 months old) anyone have any ideas or experience with shabbos there?
yes, whats your question?

Offline bigworld

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #38 on: July 06, 2012, 04:48:03 AM »
whats the shabbos situation there-is the meals something that is worthwhile?
Where did u stay for shabbos? I spoke to the rav there-he said he cant guarantee that he has a goy that can bring the baby,but hell try if were close by.
He suggested we stay in the Rendezvous hotel which is around the corner. Doesnt look too nice, especially for about $180 a night.

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Re: Singapore Master Thread
« Reply #39 on: July 07, 2012, 07:30:07 PM »
whats the shabbos situation there-is the meals something that is worthwhile?
Where did u stay for shabbos? I spoke to the rav there-he said he cant guarantee that he has a goy that can bring the baby,but hell try if were close by.
He suggested we stay in the Rendezvous hotel which is around the corner. Doesnt look too nice, especially for about $180 a night.
im not sure what you mean by 'worthwhile'. if youre there for shabbos, its the only meal in town.
i stayed at the intercontinental