Singapore

Singapore has always been a place that appeals to me with it's mixture of different cultures and fine dining. There's lots to see and do.
Raffles' hotel is a must-see, here you can do the tourist thing and drink a Singapore Sling in the courtyard. The River Quay is a great place to eat, there you can find all kinds of restaurants. It's a pleasant walk along the riverside with the contrast of the high rise buildings of the city. You can jump on a river cruise or just sit outside in the sun and have a coffee. I visited it in October when the weather was pleasant and not too hot. There are Indian, Greek and plenty of seafood restaurants to choose from with fresh produce laid out to choose. You can even see live crabs on a lead - now that's fresh! The price for eating out is quite expensive and if you want to save costs, I suggest visiting one of the many food courts situated on ground levels of department stores. These are always busy and offer a 'canteen style' alternative of Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Western and even have a bakery. If you can stand the hustle and bustle you will save yourself some cash with the average meal at $5.

There's various accommodation ranging from basic to high standard. I recommend deciding where you want to stay and booking in advance. Singapore is a large city and can take hours to walk around. There is a good bus system and plenty of taxi's although walking is a chance to visit all the stores as you go past. Orchard Road is the place to shop and it seems to go on for miles -packed with department stores it has all the goods you need. Large video screens dominate the buildings so you have entertainment as you shop. You could spend a whole day window-shopping. Orchard Road comes alive at night with bars and clubs but dress smartly as many seem to have a strict door policy. There is a taxi-rank so you don't need to worry about getting home. Bars stay open past 12am and clubs until the early hours of the morning but they are costly to get into although some offer beer as an incentive. You'll also find late opening newsagents for that midnight snack.

Singapore is extremely clean and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. You can be fined for drinking, eating, smoking or even chewing gum in public so beware. The buses are very safe and even have a television to entertain you on your journey. Alcohol is very expensive so take advantage of any happy hours which vary from bar to bar. Quizzes are popular in many bars and they also serve food in the evening. The main attraction in Singapore is Sentosa Island: a theme park built on an island south of Singapore which is linked by road. The best way to arrive there is by cable car which leaves from the World Trade Centre. Sentosa Island can also be reached by the bus outside Orchard Road.
Unlike British theme parks where there is only an entrance fee to pay, you have to pay for each land that you enter. Half of the sights are free but the rides and shows are additional. The island itself is a wonderful idea and you can easily spend a whole day there. There's small rides for children, parrot shows and plenty of colourful things to see. You can relax on the man-made beach or have a game of volleyball if you're feeling energetic.
There's plenty of picturesque walks including one that heightens your sense of smell through the spice garden. The cable car is only $7 and is a novel way of overlooking the park. My favourite attraction was the 'Night Safari' the only zoo in the world that does it. You can use the simple train system from various points in the city and then catch a bus. The journey can take up to an hour but it's definitely worth it. A show begins at 8am with a taste of the animals you're likely to see and how they survive in the wild, then you get on a tram and see the animals in an environment similar to their natural habitat. You get a chance to get up close and it's a surreal experience. Rhino's walk alongside the tram. There are also walking trails which bring you closer to the animals on foot - you can even touch fruit bats!

A great way to see Singapore from an aerial view is by helicopter. Scenic flights operate frequently and leave from the smaller airport. It's advisable to book early to avoid disappointment. Little India is a good place to browse but beware on Sunday nights where workers congregate and have a party. The streets get packed so avoid the area unless you want to be an onlooker. Bureau de Change are everywhere and you'll find ATMs outside every corner store. Singapore used to be colonised by the British, so motorways are easy for the British tourist. Road signs are also in English. There are many towns just outside the border, only a few hours away. Travelling by coach is comfortable and there's stops every two hours.

Singapore is an extremely safe city with plenty to do for everyone.