Exploring Singapore in Bite-sized Bits… Whilst Not Getting Soaked
Growing Old In Style
For tourism beyond food, Singapore has a lot to offer. Or you can engage in rampant consumerism, too – that’s fine, too.
In this mammoth trip report (note, headings subject to change)
- Yes. I’m that old. Next.
- Off to Heathrow, Terminal 3 and Cathay Pacific Lounge
- BA768 London Heathrow to Oslo Airport (Club Europe)
- The Best Laid Oslo Plans, and the OSL Lounge
- TK1754 Oslo Airport to Istanbul Airport (Business Class)
- Welcome to Istanbul Airport… Wait, where’s my passport?
- TK054 Istanbul Airport to Singapore Changi (Business Class)
- Welcome back to Changi and the Ibis Budget Ruby, Geylang
- Back to Changi Terminal 4 and AirAsia AK710 Singapore to Kuala Lumpur International
- Into Malaysia and the Holiday Inn Express KLCC
- Exploring the Batu Caves
- Exploring more of Kuala Lumpur in the Dry, Wet and Nighttime
- Heading back to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge
- MH627 Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Changi (Economy Class)
- Intercontinental Singapore, Bugis (Frasers House)
- For the love of Nasi Lemak, Laksa and Hawker Markets
- Exploring Singapore in bite-sized bits… whilst not getting soaked
- Glasses in a Hurry (or, new spectacles time)
- Pokémon Centre Singapore and a bit of Changi at Night
- Back to Changi Terminal 1, and the Marhaba Lounge
- TK209 Singapore Changi to Istanbul Airport (Business Class)
- Into Istanbul and the Sheraton Levant, Istanbul
- Back to Istanbul Airport and the Turkish Airlines Lounge
- TK1753 Istanbul Airport to Oslo Airport (Business Class)
- A leisurely Oslo transit
- SK815 Oslo Airport to London Heathrow (Economy Classes)
- Of Luggage, Coffee, Coaches and a Walk
- Older, Never Wiser
Time for some random adventures that don’t fit anywhere else in this trip. As usual, I’ll add the nearest MRT (Mass Rail Transit) stops if you want to go exploring yourself.
When travelling in the rainy season, the first thing you will need is … an umbrella. Yes. Sounds stupid, but unless you like carrying excess weight back in your luggage in the form of water.
Just bring one along or do the walk of shame to a 7/11 for a cheap umbrella. It’s much easier that way.
Trust me.
Armed and ready? Here we go on a whistle stop of some of the places I stopped on my travels. Again, these are in no particular order.
Sim Lim Plaza
Either Bugis MRT (short walk) or Rochor MRT
It’s a bit duller than the average Singapore mall, but Sim Lim remains the place for your electronic items (unless you want a cheap phone – in that case, head up the road to Little India).
For me, it’s a place to pick up little gadgets, electronics bits, as well as look at second-hand equipment and work out if some of it is worth taking home.
This time, for example, there were some wonderful modded consoles. I was close to picking one up, as some of the modded Game Boys looked stunning.
As well as the unicorn vomit that are RGB Desktops.
As for RAM prices? If you see – All the RAM (Memory) kits have the word ASK on them. With AI Companies hoovering up the supplies, and RAM companies making bank, the price of your tech is going only one direction this year.
And it isn’t down.
But it still remains the place if you’re after your computers in a hurry, replacement parts, and tech-related items. Just make sure you have a price list of items at home, and that you’re not overpaying for items.
It’s too easy in the heat of the moment.
Orchard Road
Easiest MRT Stop: Orchard or Somerset, depending on where you need to be
If you want your fix of posh shops, welcome to Orchard Road. You know where Tangs, the Apple Store and ION are.
However, it’s good for other things too, with Lucky Plaza being one of the first stops I made after arriving.
Why? I needed a replacement suitcase and was not in the mood to pay the world for it. There are a few decent market sellers in Lucky Plaza who have reasonably priced items (and by reasonably priced, around S$30). That was all I needed for a box on wheels to get home with, especially when Malaysia Airlines gave me S$25 as compensation for a damaged suitcase.
There’s also an underground link nearby if you want to skip the rain at Orchard Gate.
It’s also a good spot if you want to visit a Don Quijote (Don Don Donki) or Tokyu Hands in Somerset Plaza.
In Hands.
And I’m not sure what that Penguin is on and selling this time
The Durian and Merlion
Easiest MRT stop: Raffles Place/City Hall
It’s one of those things to head to see the Merlion, and if you’re travelling on foot, you can squeeze in a few extra stops on the way. I chose to walk from City Hall (as opposed to Raffles Place) mainly because I had new glasses at this point, so it was a good chance to get adjusted to them.
And as usual, Google Maps is a good place to start, as it will guide you through.
My route this time would take me past the Durian- or as it’s better known – Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay. Why the Durians?
With those spikes, do I even need to explain?
Conditions worsened as I walked, as the clouds went that lovely grey colour – the colour that I was in line to get soaked again.
There may be trouble ahead…
Marina Bay Sands. Not this trip, kiddo, especially after last time
Remember, Singapore is a fine city.
This became darker as I approached one of the symbols of the city -The Merlion.
Merlion and a Bumbum boat. Score.
Yes, it’s touristy at this point, but it’s good to see people of different cultures and backgrounds all going for the same photo of the merlion spouting water into your hand.
To me, it’s a part of the city. One that I like a lot. There is nothing wrong with being a tourist in tourist areas.
It’s at this point that the heavens did open again, so I ducked into the Starbucks at One Fullerton and sat out the major part of the storm.
I make no apologies for that. A Starbucks like that is there to be used.
Chinatown
Easiest MRT: Chinatown. Funnest: Maxwell MRT
If you want your Singapore gifts that aren’t going to break the bank, as well as head to Maxwell Food Centre, you’re probably going to be visiting Chinatown on your travels.
I had a list of things to get… including what I call Sweet Meat – what locals call Bak Kwa (getting hold of decent Bak Kwa in the UK is a real challenge… though there are some good recipes out there.
Just don’t risk taking into places like Austraila, unless you want to be on Border Patrol.
Speaking of gifts, there are plenty of options here that won’t break the bank.
As well as dining options
Durin, if you want it. Your choice. not mine.
The Yellow Chair restaurant.
Wine Not?
The Green Mermaid in Chinatown.
Covered section in Chinatown. Prices are a little more expensive, being undercover…
Hopscotch
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Stamford Raffles Statue
Easiest MRT stop: Raffles Place. Or a short walk from the Merlion
Odd traditions I have include stopping by the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles near the Singapore River. I’m not sure why, butit’ss something I do.
The statue’s location marks where he first landed in Singapore, establishing the post. The statue’s plaque (in multiple languages) states:
“On this historic site, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles first landed in Singapore on 28th January 1819, and with genius and perception changed the destiny of Singapore from an obscure fishing village to a great seaport and modern metropolis.”
Of course, there’s debate on the landing spot.
He’s silent, that’s for sure, when I ask him questions about the port, the city, and wonder if he could ever imagine what Singapore would become.
It’s good for a think, even in the rainy season.
Next:
A few meatier adventures (no, not Bak Kwa shopping). I travelled to Asia with the “wrong glasses”. Let’s go and fix that mistake.
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Singapore is possibly the greatest country in the world. The United States used to be but has lost its way, partially because of a decline in ethics and moral character.