Thursday, September 15, 2011

Visiting Singapore!


Hi! This blog is to create a permanent link  on places to visit within Singapore (Sgp) , for friends who plan to visit Singapore..

Singapore is a very tourist friendly country, city. It is a breeze to do it on your own..The public transport system is very convenient though it makes sense to take a cab if you are four. The economics turn out more or less the same. When you go to the zoo and bird park  makes sense taking a cab , cos they are at the far end of Sgp and you lose valuable time commuting by public transport.  A few pointers when u go sight seeing :

(a) A good pair of walking shoes cos you will be walking a lot .
(b) Hats for everybody. We are near the equator and so while it may not seem so , the sun really hits you hard...and so , sunscreen also is advisable.
(c) Back pack for each, carrying water bottles. It also makes economic sense to pick up cold drinks or juices for each to carry in the back pack -- constantly hydrate yourself.  If you are a vegetarian, you may also consider picking up sandwiches from 7by11 stores  which Sgp is peppered with and each MRT (local train facility)  will generally have one.
(d) The target should be to reach at the opening time --  will give you more time to cover the exhibits and shorter queues.
(e) Umbrellas. It may rain anytime in Singapore. Having umbrellas in your backpack may also ensure , it doesn't rain since u are prepared for it (Murphy's Law?) 


So here we go..
(a) Universal Studio, Sentosa : MRT Harbour Front Station
We start with obviously the latest attraction Universal Studios at Sentosa.  
Keep a day for universal studio.  The link to the studio site giving details of rides, opening hours  is here. I see a link for reservation at " Check Availability" on the left hand side of the page. May make sense booking before hand so that you skip the queues. Do reach at sharp 10 am so that you can take all the rides. If you a kid start with the Transformer ride. Next the 4 D show.. it is marvellous.. also do pack in an autograph book as the characters (Shrek etc)  give autographs.. (at least they did in Universal Orlando and I am assuming it must be the same here) .. check the map below for a list of all the rides in the interactive map. 

http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore
And do check out the free crane dance at the end of the day. 
http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/attractions/resorts-world-at-sentosa/crane-dance/


(b) Sentosa Island, MRT Harbour Front Station: 
Next day, visit the other attractions at Sentosa island... like the underwater world, Dolphin lagoon. Visit these places first as there ia separate queue for tickets to these. Take your passport along as they give tourists discounts.  Click on attractions in the link below for a detailed list of attractions at Sentosa. 
http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/attractions/#imbiah-lookout
After visiting Universal, the cine blast and 4D magix may seem a little tame.   Do check out the Animal and bird encounters ..The timings are given in the link below and so plan your activity accordingly. 
http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/attractions/beaches/animal-bird-encounters/
Some sports events which will be fun and memorable  and are on the must do list are 
* Megazip adventure which has activities  like megazip, parajump, rock climbing
*Skyline Luge sentosa
*And of course the latest IFly  wherein u can experience the thrill of skydiving, indoors! It is the world's largest and first windtunnel for skydiving  without the dangers of jumping from an aeroplane Booking  tickets in advance is a must . You can do so at http://www.iflysingapore.com/


Do check out Songs of the Sea in the evening before leaving. And do travel one way by the cable car. It is a beautiful ride.


When you visit Sentosa, you may have your dinner at  Vivocity, the mall attached to the Harbour Front MRT which has food courts, fast food joints , restaurants. 


(c) Zoo, Night Safari, Bird Park.

Buy a three in one ticket at the zoo or bird park. One day go to the zoo and the night safari  - both at the same place. The next day you may visit the Bird Park. In the links below,  check out the show timings.. plan your trip inside the zoo/ bird park in a manner that u manage to watch the shows like the animal friends show , rain forest fights back....the show times are given.. In the Bird Park, the Birds and Buddies Show is a must see.
(d) Hip Hop buses
One day u may take a  conducted tour trip in one of those hop in hop out buses, showing u China town, Little India, Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, Fountain of wealth ... 
(e) Boat ride down the Singapore river
One evening, at dusk (maybe the first evening), u may take a river cruise in one of the boats at Clark Quay...
(f) Marina Bay Sands
You can check out the casino at Marina Bay Sands. Take you passport along. 
(g) Orchard Street
Take a walk along Singapore's most happening place at Orchard Street. If you visit in December, enjoy the street lighting for Christmas.
(h) It is good idea to  check out the tourism website for events happening in Singapore at the tourism board website  so that u may weave it into your itinerary.
(i) We also have a lot of museums, Science centre, Botanic gardens, Chinese temples, Orchid garden the details of which can be found in the following link
 http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/see-and-do/family-fun.html

(j) At the airport u will find maps and brochures .. check out for discount  schemes for tourists .. Orchard road has  a tourist office  too...

(k) A new addition in Singapore is the Garden by the bay with its evening light shows..

http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/home.html

Many visitors are at Singapore en-route to other destinations. I have received a few inquiries on things to do if the visitor has a few hours in hand . Changi airport conducts free tours for visitors, provided they have visas for Singapore. These tours  of two hours each,  are scheduled   at 9 am,11.30 am, 2.30 pm and 4 pm . One needs to register an hour before the trip one would like to take.  Quoting from their site :
 To register for any of the tours, simply approach the staff at the Free Singapore Tours (FST) Registration Booth located in:
  • Terminal 2: Near the escalators to North Arrival Immigration and Skytrain station at Transit Mall North, Level 2 (Near Transfer Lounge E)
  • Terminal 3: Next to Transfer Lounge B at Transit Mall North, level 2
If you are at Terminal 1, you can proceed to Terminal 2 for registration.
Note: 
Please register at the booth at least 1 hour before the start of the tour which you would like to participate in.

Eligibility to participate in the tour is subject to visa entry requirements stipulated by the Immigrations & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore. Please enquire at the FST Registration Booth for more information.

Tour routes may change, subject to weather and traffic conditions.
For further details on the  organised tour, please look up at the following link :
Wishing you loads of fun on your trip!