Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

"Singapore -- A Mix of Cultures" a Singapore Travel Page by Ewingjr98

Search:
Home » Asia » Singapore » Singapore -- A Mix of Cultures - Singapore

"Singapore -- A Mix of Cultures" a Singapore Travel Page by Ewingjr98

See the Entire Singapore Travel Guide

Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


Ewingjr98   
“Everything is what it is, and not another thing.”


Real Name: JR
Lives In: ?
Member Since: Aug 29, 2000
VT Rank: 158

 

Page Views: 1,485            Last Visit to Singapore: May, 2004      

Singapore -- A Mix of Cultures

by Ewingjr98 - last update: May 4, 2007

Singapore is an amazing city in many regards. Despite the country's small size, it is an economic powerhouse in Asia. It has a diverse blend of cultures (English, Chinese, Malay, and Indian) that seem able to peacefully coexist as one. Along with the cultures, the food is also unique and flavorful. Singapore's transportation systems are top quality, and this must be the cleanest city in the world!
Merlion and the Financial District

My Visit, 18-21 May 2004

On 18 May, we arrived at Singapore airport from Hong Kong. We took the MRT (subway) to City Hall MRT, and walked past the Raffles Hotel to our hotel, the Metropole (US$60 per night). After checking in, we stopped for a tasty lunch of chicken rice on Seah Street, just out the front door of our hotel.

We began sightseeing with a walk through Colonial Singapore to Raffles Landing Site at the River. We saw the Padang, St. Andrew's Cathedral, City Hall, Supreme Court and the Victoria Theater. Upon our arrival at the Singapore River, we took a 30-minute boat tour of Boat Quay, Clark Quay, Riverfront, and the Merlion. After returning from the boat trip, we walked to the War Memorial, seeing the Lim Bo Seng Memorial along the way.

Next we took a taxi to Little India. We got out of the taxi at Buffalo Road and walked through town soaking in the unusual sights & smells. We stopped briefly at Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, then walked down Veersamy Road heading toward Arab Street.

We crossed the Rochor Canal at Weld Road, which becomes Arab Street. We walked past the Muslim Cemetery and stopped at the Sultan Mosque and Bussorah Street. On our to Bugis MRT, we stopped at the shopping center under the Golden Landmark Hotel, and we enjoyed a quick bite of Singapore's famous Kaya Toast.

We then took the MRT to our Hotel to freshen up, then we walked down North Bridge Road to Boat Quay for dinner. We had a very good dinner at an Indonesian restaurant called the Sundanese Restaurant.

Looking for some good nightlife, we wandered around Boat Quay, then headed to Clarke Quay, where we found a good bar to grab a few beers. Next we went to Tanjong Pagar, which was full of Japanese-style entertainments. Later we went to a club called DBL-O on Robertson Walk for a few hours. We took a taxi back to the hotel around 2 am.

On 19 May, we slept in, then took a taxi to Chinatown. Our first stop was lunch on South Bridge Road. Then we did a brief walking tour of Chinatown center. Later in the afternoon, we took the MRT to Dhoby Ghaut & we walked down Orchard Road. As evening approached, we returned to the hotel to freshen up prior to dinner.

We had dinner at Takashimaya Shopping Center on Orchard Road. We ate at the Crystal Jade Restaurant for US$200 for shark fin soup, beef, pork, durian pudding, etc.

After dinner we went to China Jump at CHIJMES, then One Fullerton and Tanjong Pagar.
Sunset over the Victoria Theater
On 20 May, my friend DW flew back to Seoul, so I was off to explore Singapore on my own! I walked to the Johor Bahru bus station at the corner of Queen and Bugis Streets. After the hour-long bus ride we went through border patrol in Singapore and over the causeway to JB, Malaysia!

After a full day in JB, I caught a bus back to Singapore. This bus dropped me off at the border crossing, so I took a taxi to the nearest MRT station at Marsiling. There, I stopped at a grocery store for dragonfruit, orange juice, and apples, then took the MRT back to downtown Singapore.

That night, I met my friend and college buddy, Troy, at my hotel then we proceeded to Newton Station food court for a huge dinner(US$80)! After dinner, Troy and I went to CHIJMES and an Irish Pub called Father Flannigan's which was near my hotel and a short walk back to the room for bed...

On 21 May, I slept in, checked out, and took the MRT to the airport. After a good lunch, I flew to Bangkok on a 1455 flight on Cathay Pacific.

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Ewingjr98's Singapore Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 14 - Photos: 21
 
Restaurants
Tips: 6 - Photos: 5
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 1 - Photos: 2
 
Nightlife
Tips: 9 - Photos: 6
Off The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
Transportation
Tips: 6 - Photos: 8
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 2
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 1 - Photos: 2

Ewingjr98's Singapore Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Notes on SingaporeMay, 2004 6

Comments for Ewingjr98 about Singapore
Jim_Eliason Sun Dec 18, 2005 19:31 UTC
 Thanks for the tips!
bpacker Tue Nov 16, 2004 09:28 UTC
 Yeah, China Jump is one cool place to be on a Sat Night. I'm too hot about the queue though..
gwen_tifa Mon Jun 21, 2004 07:23 UTC
 I hope you've enjoyed your stay in Singapore! I am sure the weather was warm and sunny!

Singapore Hotels

About VirtualTourist10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTouristContact UsPress CenterHelpUser AgreementPrivacy Statement
Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.