Scintillating Singapore

A November 2005 trip to Singapore by sjv123

Scintillating SingaporeMore Photos

It is one of the smaller countries in the world, with an area of approximately 60 sq. km. and a population of barely 5 million. However, it offers a great mixture of the old world charm and the modern world concrete jungle.

  • 10 reviews
  • 12 photos
Scintillating Singapore
One can do many different things in Singapore. Singapore has an area which is known as Chinatown which as the name suggests will transport you into China with houses, shops, people, and food everything authentic Chinese. There is another area called Little India which takes you to India but mainly South India. It has Indian shops, restaurants, and of course a lot of Indians. When you walk down the Serangoon Road you cannot miss the Tamils songs which are blaring from every third shop which are selling Tamils CDs and cassettes

Quick Tips:

The best place to shop around at bargain prices is Mustafa. This is a mega mart which sells everything from vegetables to food stuffs, imported chocolates, crockery, clothing, watches, household appliances, electronic items like cameras, DVDs etc.

Best Way To Get Around:

Singapore has excellent transport facilities with very good bus service as also the MRTs which are the trains. It connects the whole of Singapore & is obviously one of the most economical way of exploring Singapore
This is one of the numerous restaurants lining the beautiful Clarke Quay. It serves excellent Indian food like kebabs, tikkas, rolls, cocktails and beer.

It is a good value for money restaurant and functions as a late nite bar on public holiday eves open form 11:30pm to 2am.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by sjv123 on December 2, 2005

Ras the Essence of India
3D River Valley Road Singapore, Singapore
+65 6837 2800

We went to Chinatown for food on 3 occasions and had food at different places. Here I am talking about the food we had at the road side from the hawkers who line up the whole of Chinatown. You get incredible food at unbelievable cheap prices. It is a one stop destination to sample some delicious and authentic local delicacies. You can take your pick from the hundreds of food shacks that line Chinatown serving everything from the normal Chinese fried rice, Manchurian, noodles to shark fins, sushi and all types of sea food.

You can choose from quaint shop houses that boast an intimate al fresco dining experience or one of the many Chinese restaurants that will set your palate watering with exquisitely prepared dishes. We were 3 of us - 2 adult and 1 child . We ordered Manchow soup and spring rolls for starters which was followed by fried rice, vegetables in garlic sauce, Manchurian and steam wantons. It was a delectable sumptuous meal which cost us only $23.
One must visit Chinatown and have food at these roads to experience authentic Chinese cuisine.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by sjv123 on December 21, 2005
As the name suggests this place is a must for all those lovers of shark finns. The restaurant is located in the busy and bustling Smith Street in Chinatown. It is a very well done restaurant with elegant decor, typical traditional furniture and furnishings and very well laid out tables.

We had braised shark's fin abalone and sea cucumber thick soup which was followed by tam kah exotic pot. The food was delicious and the quantity was good. The pot which we ordered had servings for around 4-5 persons. Over all a nice hotel with good food. Pricing is slightly on the higher side but then good food doesn't come cheap isn't it ?
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by sjv123 on December 21, 2005

Underwater WorldBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Sentosa Island, Underwater World and the Musical"

Underwater World
Sentosa Island as the name suggests is an island off Singapore. It offers activities for the whole family as it has beaches, underwater world fish aquarium, the merlion, Carlsberg tower ride, cable car, nature walk, dragon trail, Fort Siloso, Volcano Land, and many other shows. But the best is the musical fountain show which starts at 7:30pm and last for about 30 minutes with 2 more shows to follow. It has beach bars, restaurants, gift shops, and a golf course !
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by sjv123 on December 2, 2005

Underwater World
80 Siloso Road Sentosa, Singapore 098969
+65 6275-0030

EsplanadeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay"

Esplanade
The latest attraction on the Singapore waterfront is the Esplanade—Singapore's answer to the Sydney Opera House. From the outside the spiked dome of the Esplanade have earned it the nickname "the durian" after the similar looking fruit loved by all in Southeast Asia. On the inside hundreds of artistic performances are held every year.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by sjv123 on December 2, 2005

Esplanade
Singapore, Singapore

Jurong Bird ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Jurong Bird Park
The Jurong Bird Park is the largest of its kind in Asia Pacific Region with more than 8000 birds and more than 600 species on show. There are some magnificent shows like the All Star Bird Show, Bird of Prey Show, Penguin Parade, World Of Darkness, Pelican Cove, and the newly started Lary Loft which at 3000 square meters and about 9 storeys high is the world's largest walk-in Lary flight aviary with over 1000 free flying lories. You have to carry with you a special nectar mix & the birds will flock to you.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by sjv123 on December 2, 2005

Jurong Bird Park
2 Jurong Hill Singapore, Singapore 628925
+65 6265 0022

Night SafariBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Night Safari has over 900 nocturnal animals of 132 species over 40 hectares of dense forest cover. It offers 3 walking trails as also a 3.2km long tram ride that covers terrain ranging from the rocky Himalayan foothills to the grassy plains of equatorial forest. It also features the creatures of the night show as also excellent dining facilities either at Gourmet Safari Express or at Bongo Burgers or at East Lodge.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by sjv123 on December 2, 2005

Night Safari
80 Mandai Lake Rd. Singapore
+65 6269 3411

This is the religious festival of Muslims also know as Idd. The Malays in Singapore celebrate this festival and it is one of the main festivals for them. During this festival a street procession showcasing Malay traditional arts and dances is taken out from Geylong Serai. It also includes cultural performances and activities at the Malay Heritage Centre. It showcases the Malay and Arabic traditions of celebrating Hari Raya.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by sjv123 on December 5, 2005

Hari Raya Celebrations
Singapore Singapore, Singapore

This is one of Singapore's favourite festivals involving breathtaking fire walking ceremony honouring Godess Draupadi. AS per the Indian epic poem Mahabharata , Draupadi the wife of Lord Rama proved her innocence by walking barefoot on burning coals.

Devotees brave a 4 minute bed of hot embers. The fire walking takes place at around 3am and is followed in the evening by the magnificent Silver Chariot procession carrying the statue of Godess Draupadi to Little India

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by sjv123 on December 5, 2005

About the Writer

sjv123
sjv123
Mumbai, India

Get the Word Out

Share this travel journal beyond IgoUgo with your favorite sharing tools.