*click on images to enlarge
*please note that there are two pages to this blog
*please note that there are two pages to this blog
Introduction
Hi, my name is Wei and I've always dreamed
of visiting Singapore! Being the place of where my family (father’s side) came
from, I’ve heard many stories of this great island and have always wanted to
visit it. This trip will not only be for leisure but also for learning. Getting
in touch with my roots will hopefully help me to better understand myself and
shed a new perspective on life. I also hear the food there is so tasty that it is worth the trip alone. This is my dream vacation because I will finally get to experience these amazing things that I've been told my entire life.
I will be going on this trip with my
younger brother. We’ve shared many experiences and learned many life lessons
growing up together thus travelling with him will further strengthen our
friendship and bond. He claims to be a food connoisseur in his own right and
has suggested we do a “food tour” during our stay in Singapore which is exactly what we shall do. =D
We plan to arrive in Singapore 4 days before
August the 9th of 2013 as that is Singapore's National Day and we
hope to take in the festivities. This will also give us some time to settle
down and familiarize ourselves with the city before the big event. We hope to
stay in Singapore for a total of 10 days.
Singapore
The Currency
The currency of Singapore is the Singapore dollar (SGD). 1 Canadian dollar = 1.27170 Singapore dollars. Frequently used denominations are the $2, $5, $10, $50, $100 and the $1000 banknotes. Coins come in the 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 dollar.
Flight and Accommodation
According to cheapflights.ca, air fare from
Toronto’s Pearson Airport to Singapore’s Changi Airport ranges from $1,300 to
$2,500 CAD for a return trip per person. For the sake of planning we’ll assume that it will
cost $2,000 when we go in 2013. This will probably be the most expensive part
of the trip.
As my brother and I consider ourselves to be
somewhat nomadic travelers, we travel light and require little. So it makes the
most sense to stay at a hostel while in Singapore as we will have all that we
need, plus we’ll save a lot of money. Upon a Google search for cheap hostels, A Beary Good Hostel offered rates for $20.50 CAD
a night per person. Located in Chinatown, just steps from the Chinatown MRT
station, it would be very convenient to stay here as
the city center is near by, just one to two subway stops away. Dorm rooms are either co-ed or females only with 10-12 beds.
- Security (key card access + security cameras)
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free use of computers at the lounge
- Free basic breakfast
- Shared bathrooms with hot water
- Basic pantry facilities (microwave, toaster, fridge)
- Laundry service
- safe and secure lockers
Transit System
According to singaporeexpats.com, the public transport system in Singapore is one of the best in the world. All buses are air conditioned, some are even installed with televisions. The bus system covers all of Singapore with multiple buses running the same route which means the wait is short before catching one’s bus. Fares are also cheap with the average fare costing $2 SGD.
The Mass Rapid Transit or MRT for short, is
also another common form of transport. It is an electrical subway
system that covers the majority of the country. Like the buses, fares for the
MRT are also inexpensive and run at a high frequency.
 |
| Highly complex and integrated subway system |
Similar to any major city, taxis are common,
however in Singapore along with the rest of the transit system, the
fares are once again inexpensive compared to other cities worldwide.
With a state of the art transit system, travelling within Singapore is an ease of mind.
The Food
Singaporean cuisine is indicative of its diverse cultures. The food is influenced by
Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Thai, Filipino, Middle Eastern, and Western
traditions. Delicious dishes can be easily found at the numerous easy to find food courts
better known as hawker centers. Prices range from dish to dish but they are
known to be inexpensive about $3 to $6 SGD. My brother and I plan to
try 3 different dishes each day.
 |
| a typical hawker center |
Here are a couple dishes we've been told are a must have while we're there;
Hainanese Chicken Rice - a Chinese dish comprised of flavored rice and boiled chicken.
Roti Prata - This is a crispy multi layered pancake originally from southern India, served with all types of curry such as fish, mutton, and chicken curry.
Nasi Lemak - a Malay dish comprised of rich rice cooked in coconut milk and served with fried anchovies, fired peanuts and an egg. Usually eaten for breakfast.
Singapore is also known for exotic fruits, so we will definitely be snacking on those all day everyday. I hear they taste sweeter than the sweetest honey!
Hainanese Chicken Rice - a Chinese dish comprised of flavored rice and boiled chicken.
Roti Prata - This is a crispy multi layered pancake originally from southern India, served with all types of curry such as fish, mutton, and chicken curry.
Nasi Lemak - a Malay dish comprised of rich rice cooked in coconut milk and served with fried anchovies, fired peanuts and an egg. Usually eaten for breakfast.
Singapore is also known for exotic fruits, so we will definitely be snacking on those all day everyday. I hear they taste sweeter than the sweetest honey!
 |
| a typical fruit stall found at the local markets |
 |
| the infamous Durian. |
 |
| Mangosteen |
 |
| Rambutan |
 |
| custard apple |
Activities
A city as exciting as Singapore has
countless amounts of things to see and do. Partaking in these activities will hopefully lead us to appreciate and learn more about the cultural, social, economical and political aspects of Singapore. The itinerary for each day will be based on what we feel like doing and how much energy we have for the amount of activity that day. We plan to move between attractions as efficiently as possible.
Chinatown - the first thing that we'll do after
arriving and unpacking at the hostel is to explore our immediate surroundings,
Chinatown! Large areas are considered national heritage sites.
 |
| Buddha Tooth Relic Temple |
---
Little India - just a short distance northeast of Chinatown, this area is known for its Tamil Elements.
 |
| Veeramakaliamman Temple |
---
National Museum of Singapore - built in 1887, the museum housing some of Singapore's most precious treasurers. Easily a place to learn about Singapore's history, admission for adults is just $10 SGD.
---
Botanic Gardens - though Singapore is heavily urbanized, there is still plenty of greenery. The 74 hectare garden is a prime example on how a sophisticated and futuristic city still values mother nature. Admission is free!
---
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve - a heritage park located in the middle of Singapore, this nature reserve is a center of excellence in tropical forest conservation management. Admission is free.
---
Singapore Zoo and Night Safari - the zoo and night safari are a popular must see tourist attraction. The night safari is set in a tropical forest which can be explored by foot or by tram. Admission specials that grant access into both attraction cost $42.00 SGD.
---
Sentosa - Sentosa is a popular island resort south of the mainland with many attractions. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge which can be crossed on foot in no time.
---
Pulau Ubin - located in the northeastern corner of Singapore this island has the last existing village in Singapore. Visiting here is like traveling back into the 1960s, things haven't changed much. The island can be accessed via bumboats that charge $3 SGD per person.
 |
| Merline |
 |
| Fort Siloso - nation's largest collection of WWII memorabilia. Admission $8 SGD. |
 |
| Underwater World. Admission $26 SGD |
Pulau Ubin - located in the northeastern corner of Singapore this island has the last existing village in Singapore. Visiting here is like traveling back into the 1960s, things haven't changed much. The island can be accessed via bumboats that charge $3 SGD per person.
 |
| bikes for rent |
 |
| Chek Jawa - extremely rare ecosystem --- Orchard Road - a 2.2 km long street that is the entertainment and retail center of Singapore. A popular tourist destination due to its premiere shopping. Gigantic malls dominate the street where numerous shops, cafes, restaurants, and so much more can be found.     --- Clarke Quay - is a historical riverside wharf. It is known for its night life and dining.     --- National Day Celebrations - national day is celebrated every year on the 9th of August to commemorate Singapore's independence from Malaysia in 1965. There is a big parade and ceremony followed by firework celebrations.     |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)