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Where is Singapore?

March 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

a sv 300x217 Where is Singapore?Singapore is a small country.  It is, In fact, the second smallest country in Asia.

Singapore consists of a main island, as well as several smaller adjacent islets.  It has a total land area of about 700 sq km, and the area is getting slightly bigger with the reclamation of land.    The main island is of the size of more than 600 sq km.  The rest can be attributed to the 63 offshore islands.  The larger offshore islands are Pulau Tekong (2365.5 hectares), Pulau Ubin (1023.9 hectares) and Sentosa (460 hectares).

Although a country, Singapore is of the size of only cities.  In comparison, New York City (786 sq km) is slightly larger than Singapore and Tokyo (2,187 sq km) is three times bigger.

The location of Singapore is strategic. It is located at one of the crossroads of the world, and is a major centre for trade, communications and tourism. It lies at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, between latitudes 1º 09´N and 1º 29´N and longitudes 103º 36´E and 104º 25´E.

Situated in the Indian Ocean off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, it is linked to Malaysia by two causeway bridges, and by ferry to islands of Indonesia including Batam and Bintang.    It is an air hub of Asia, and there are frequent flights to Asian countries, including popular tourist destinations in Thailand, the Philippines and China.

Being a modern country, Singapore is ideal for holiday making and business. If you’ve not been to this tropical country, do plan your Singapore vacations soon!

 

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Singapore MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) is Easy to Use

March 14, 2013 By 11 Comments

The Singapore MRT is the rapid public trains that forms the backbone of the country’s transport systems.   It is very clean and efficient — although it can be quite crowded during the peak hours.  Listen to what Sheila has to say about it.

Singapore is efficient, and it is easy to get around the country on your own.  Forming the backbone of the Singapore public transport system is the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit).

If you are taking on transport in Singapore, do not forget the system as it can take you to many parts of the island. What’s more, you can travel with air-conditioned comfort. It’s fast, efficient, convenient and affordable!

There are 4 MRT lines covering Singapore from end to end: the East-West (EW) line, the North-South (NS) line, the North-East (NE) line and the circle line (CC).

  • Trains operate from about 6am to 12 midnight daily.
  • First and last train departure times vary between stations as well as on weekends and public holidays.

Do get a free map of the MRT from your hotel or on the web, and study it to make your traveling more effective.   Take note of the color codes that indicate the different lines, and the double circles indicate interchanges.  Even if you don’t have a map, you can find information within the train car.  Monitor screens announce and show every stop. Ticket kiosks are touch screen.

Find out more about the MRT system.

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Buses in Singapore, Singapore

Bus transport in Singapore is the most comprehensive and affordable means of public transport for the masses, with over two million rides taken per day on average on the buses of the two main public transport providers SBS Transit and SMRT Corporation. There are more than 300 bus services covering all parts of Singapore....

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Universal Studios Singapore

March 12, 2013 By 43 Comments

Universal Studios Singapore is the place you must not miss when holidaying in the country.   Look out for Ride the movies and more at this South-east Asia’s first movie theme park.   It is a wonderful fun park for families, thrill-seekers and of course, movie junkies.

Universal Studio Singapore is a great place to visit when you are in Singapore.

It is among the top Singapore attractions!

It is good for the whole family to have great fun.   It has amazing atmosphere and the declaration,  make every moment in the fun park memorable.   You may want to purchase express pass if you don’t want to queue, but generally the queues should not be too bad unless it is a public holiday.     An exception probably would be Transformer where you can wait for 30 mins easily.

Do bring extra clothes, or put on your raincoat for the Jurassic Park.  Don’t even wear shoes if you can.  Consider wearing a pair of rubber slippers that dry faster.  You may also want to leave your belongings at the free locker beside the entrance when taking the ride on Revenge of Mummy.   The first half hour for the locker is free.

Ticket prices at S$74 for adult and S$54 for child are high. Look for the Universal Studio Singapore promotion here on the Resorts World Sentosa website.

Get the park map at the entrance.  It marks the times for the shows, and this is really helpful. Be at the show at least 15 minutes earlier to find yourself a good spot.  You can also see where the ‘celebrities’ might show up and take pictures with them.

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Universal Studios Singapore Madagascar Full Ride HD

A full ride front seat HD video of the Madagascar attraction at Universal Studios Singapore. The madagascar ride is unique to Universal Studios Singapore and doesn't exist in others Universal Studios parks. The video is in real full HD so choose to watch it in 1080p definition! Because the ride is sometime dark you might have some video "noise" whe...

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No-GST Shopping in Singapore

April 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

shopping1 300x225 No GST Shopping in SingaporeIn Singapore, the Goods & Services Tax,  known a GST, is 7 percent.

If you are buying from smaller operators like the mom-and-pop shops, chances are you would not have to pay the GST in addition to the prices for the goods and services. For most established retailers, however,  they will charge you the 7% tax for your purchases.

There is one huge shopping complex in Singapore, nevertheless, where you don’t have to pay for the GST, even when you are making your purchases from the established retailers.

It is none other than the Changi International Airport.

I’m not talking about the airport transit area where it has been tax-free all the while.

I’m talking about the shopping areas outside the transit area, where you can shop even when you are not  flying.

The airport has introduced the ‘Flying Or Not, You Shop We Absorb’ programme.   Under the scheme, many retail outlets are absorbing the 7% GST in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the Budget Terminal.

To find out more, click here.

Enjoy your Singapore holidays!

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Singapore Style Coffee & Coffee Shop

April 11, 2012 By

coffee shop miikka skaffari5010656198 300x199 Singapore Style Coffee & Coffee ShopIf you want to try something really local during your Singapore holidays, visit a Singapore coffee shop.

You will find coffee shops everywhere you go in the country, from the posh  Orchard Road where tourists go to the humble HDB estates where most Singaporeans live.
Coffee shops are where Singaporeans have their simple meals. In fact, as the  typical size of a Singapore family is small, many Singaporeans go to the coffee shops to have more than one meal everyday.
In addition to beverages like coffee and tea, you find in in them all sorts of local foods, from chicken rice to fried noodles. If you are adventurous with foods, The choice is endless.
The coffee in a typical coffee shop is different from what you can find in Starbucks or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.   It has its unique rich local fragrant, and usually comes with sweet milk or sugar.   Ask for ‘Kopi’ rather than coffee, the locals like to hear that!
There are some cafe style coffee shops, such as Yakun Kaya Toast and Toastbox, which are quite cozy.  If you like the air-conditioned comfort,  go to them.
thank miikka_skaffari for the picture.

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Electronic Tourist Refund in Singapore

April 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you are shopping during your Singapore holidays as a tourist, and would like to enjoy the benefit of text refund, it is important that you are aware of the new electronic system.

Since mid 2011, Singapore has introduced the Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS).   The scheme is being introduced in phases.   You may still use the paper-based refund, but the scheme will no longer be used by the 3rd quarter of 2012, when the eTRS is fully implemented.

The eTRS self-help kiosks are already operational at the Changi Airport and Seletar Airport.

When shopping at retailers who are on eTRS, an eTRS ticket will be issed to you at the point of purchase, and you are expected to use the electronic system for the tax refund.  Otherwise, you will be issued with paper refund forms duly signed by retailers who are not on eTRS, and you will proceed with the refund the conventional way.

The video below shows how the electronic system works.

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Singapore Tourist Refund

April 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

merlion3 Singapore Tourist RefundSingapore is without doubt a shopping paradise.  While you are shopping to your heart’s content, do remember to take advantage of the Tourist Refund Scheme.

Under the scheme, known as TRS for short, a tourist may  get a refund of GST on the goods she purchases from retailers who participate in the scheme.   To enjoy the scheme,  you have to bring the goods out of Singapore via Changi International Airport or Seletar Airport.

There is a time limit as well.   You’ll have to make the claim within two months from the date of purchase, subject to conditions of the scheme.

Starting from Jan 2013, the scheme  is going to be extended to cover goods that are brought out of Singapore by international cruise passengers via the Singapore Cruise Centre at Harbourfront and the International Cruise Terminal at Marina South.  However,  those who are taking cruises-to-nowhere, round-trip cruise and regional ferry passengers will not be able to enjoy the privileges.   More details are expected to be released by 1 Sep 2012.

Read more ……

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Please tell me in detail on transport from Victoria Hotel to Orchard,Singapore Flyer,Mustafa Mall,Merlion?

February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I’m on budget so I prefer MRT than taxi.
I’ll be staying for 4 days, any recommended nice places to visit ? Thanks !

Here are your transport details as follows:
From Victoria Hotel to

Orchard – Walk towards Stamford Rd by turning right from Victoria Hotel. Walk to Dhoby Ghuat by walking straight after turning into Stamford Rd towards your right. or from Stamford Rd, take 7, 77, 106, 111, 171 or 175 straight and get down on any bus stop along Penang Rd, Somerset Rd, Orchard Turn or Orchard Blvd. 3 to 8 bus stops, S$0.90 for cash, S$0.67 if ezlink card is available. Approx. 5 to 20 min.

Singapore Flyer – Cross over to Bras Basah Clpx and take 133 and alight at opp Ritz Carlton, Temasek Ave. Walk into Raffles Ave by turning left and keep straight till you hit Singapore Flyer. 4 stops, S$0.90 for cash, S$0.67 if ezlink card is available. Approx. 10-15 min.

Mustafa Mall – Walk straight by turning left from hotel and take the bus 130 outside St Joseph Church. Alight 4 stops later at
before Tai Hoe Hotel. (2nd stop after the bus turns into Kitchener Rd). Walk to Mustafa Mall. S$0.90 for cash, S$0.67 if ezlink card is available. Approx. 5-10 min.

Merlion – You can actually walk by walking by: Victoria Street by turning right, into Bras Basah Rd by turning left, into Esplanade Drive by turning right and walk straight till you hit Merlion Park. 15 to 20 min walk.

For staying for 4 days, other than those above, you can many places like to Botanic Garden, Holland Village, National Museum of Singapore, Peranakan Museum, The Arts House, NEWater Visitor Centre, Haw Par Villa, Chinese Garden etc. and the list goes on and on. Anyway, have a nice trip by then and welcome you to Singapore.

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Traveling Tips for Singapore

February 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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Weather of Singapore

March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Singapore is a tropical island.  It is warm and humid all year round.

There is no real difference in terms of seasons.

If you really want to divide a year by seasons, then I’ll say there are only two seasons in the country:  Rainy and dry.

The rainy season is related to the monsoon season that takes place somewhere between November and January.  It is the time when you  see more consistent rain.

Other than that, the weather is usually sunny.  You will see showers, which can be sudden and sometimes heavy.  They are, however, often brief and refreshing.   They is not fixed pattern though,  and there could be continuous rain for a few days even during the dry season.

The temperature varies slightly, between the average maximum of 31 degrees Celcius and minimum of 23 degrees Celcius.   It is great for outdoor activities like sunbathing or swimming, it is a great place to be in.

Below is  the weather forecast for the next two days.   Do note that Singaporeans are more used to Celsius, rather than Fahrenheit,as far as temperatures scale is concerned.


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