Old Singapore vs New Singapore

This month we interview Harry Chiam who is a regular traveller to Asia. Harry grew up in Kula Lumpar and was educated in the United States, He married and settled in Sydney 10 years ago and now works as a Health Financial & Performance Manager. Harry visits Singapore at least once a year and we ask Harry where you should go and what you should see in this island city in the heart of Asia. KEITH: Harry, tell me what I should do when I visit Singapore? HARRY: Well Singapore has been a tourist stopover for such a long time going back to 1920's and 30's so there are all the old tourist attractions you can see or you can visit the new ones? KEITH: OK well lets talk about the old ones first? HARRY: Well you have to visit Raffles Hotel and have a Singapore Sling at the Long bar or High Tea in the gardens. That's a must and you should visit Little India and Chinatown for food and shopping options. Then there is the Merlion on the water front which is the famous statue and symbol of Singapore just in front of the wonderful Fullerton Hotel. KEITH: OK, should I stay at Raffles or the Fullerton?.

HARRY: Laugh. If you take your American Express Platinum card with you. They are both five star hotels so if you can afford it yes but you can stay next door to Raffles Hotel in Raffles City which is a shopping centre with a Raffles hotel built above it. Its more affordable and because its run by the Raffles Hotel group the service is excellent. KEITH: Yes I agree. I stayed there a number of years ago and had a wonderful time and you can walk across the road to old Raffles to have a drink at night. HARRY: Yes, you can. KEITH: OK so tell me about the new attractions. HARRY: Well the Singaporean government over the last 10 years has been actively promoting Singapore as a new travel destination and has encouraged the building of a number of new tourist attractions like Sentosa Resort, Universal Studios and Marina Bay Sands (MBS)development. Also Orchard Road has been modernised and the new Gardens by the Bay have opened.

KEITH: Yes there has been quite a lot of activity in Singapore over the last 10 years. Lets start with Sentosa Resort. HARRY: Well Sentosa was a sleepy little tourist island off Singapore developed in the 1970's. In the last couple of years it has been redeveloped with resort hotels, golf courses, spas and beach clubs. Its very nice now, you can swim, sail, play beach volley ball or just chill out in a beach chair. KEITH: Sounds great and Universal studios is now there as well? HARRY: Yes, it is with all the rides and theme park games. I think its bigger and better then the one in California. KEITH: OK I must go there next time I'm in Singapore. Now Marina Bay Sands or MBS as the locals call it.

HARRY: Well MBS is the new Casino in Singapore the building is quite unique consisting of three towers and it has an infinity swimming pool and a rainforest on the roof. The lobby is very cool but a word of warning you can only visit the pool and the rainforest on the roof if you are staying at the hotel. KEITH: OK I will remember that and what else is new? HARRY: There are the new Gardens by the Bay which are beautiful and you can have lunch under the Supa Tree which are man made trees with vines growing all over them. There is the Singapore Flyer which is the largest Ferris wheel in the world and of course there are the night safaris of Singapore Zoo.

KEITH: Why would I want to go to the Zoo at night? HARRY: Because all the nocturnal animals come out at night and you can see the animals in their native habitat. You will not see them in the daytime. KEITH: OK. Now last time I was in Singapore I was really impressed with Clarkes Quay. HARRY: Yes, Clarks Quay has been modernised and there is a lot of food and beverage outlets there. You can sit outside and enjoy some very good food there. KEITH: And I went to the New Asia Bar on top of the Sofitel Hotel at night for cocktails and was blown away by the view over Clarkes Quay.

Harry: Yes its great but I think you need to book at night as it gets very crowded so make sure you check beforehand. Keith: What about if I want to do something a little different? HARRY: Well for something off the beaten track go on a bush walk around McRitchie Reservoir. It takes about 4 hours and you walk across a swing bridge and through rain forest. Bring food and water and wear sensible walking shoes. The vegetation is very lush and tropical. Then there are the shopping malls at Fort Canning and Dempsey Hill. These are new shopping malls set in old colonial buildings. The standard shops are there but set in old colonial architecture. You can also try Ngeeann City and Funan Digital Mall which is great for computer products. KEITH: Now on this trip, who did you fly with? HARRY: Well this time I flew Scoot which is a budget carrier but I usually fly Singapore Airlines. KEITH: Now I have flown Singapore Airlines on a number of times and I cant fault them but how did you find Scoot? HARRY: For a budget carrier, Scoot was great. I got a heavily discounted ticket. The service was OK, the food was OK. We got there on time with no delays but you have to remember you get what you pay for so if you want to save a little bit of money fly Scoot. If you want service, good food, in flight entertainment and comfort fly Singapore Airlines. Also, if you want additional comfort for an additional $50 Singapore Airlines will let you book a Economy class seat on an exit row so you get extra leg room. My tip if you are traveling on an Airbus A380-800 book seat 44K. KEITH: Now whilst on Airlines I want to talk to you about Changi International Airport because I think it is one of the best Airports in the world. HARRY: It is. It is. Look Changi International Airport in Singapore is the best place to stop over in Asia. Nothing compares to it. First of all the arrival and departures lounges are well organised. Passport control is relatively easy. On your arrival at Singapore whist in transit you can have a beer at a bar, have a meal at a restaurant, there is shopping, you can stay overnight at the Airport hotel, there is a gym, games arcade, massage and a butterfly enclosure.

KEITH: Yes, the last time I flew through Singapore I spent 2 hours in the butterfly enclosure. HARRY: Isn't it fun and its a great distraction if you are traveling with children. There is also a bus tour you can do of the city if you are in transit for more then 6 hours. What happens this you can have a long lay over in Singapore. Fly in from Europe in the morning, go through transit, take a bus tour of the city and be back in the airport for an afternoon flight to Australia. So you can familiarise yourself with the city and you don't have to sit around the airport all day. And here is another piece of advise when you get to Changi International Airport in the Arrivals lounge purchase a "handy" SIM card costs $SG15 a day and you get a local SIM card and you can avoid costly international telephone charges. There is a built in city guide with maps and train timetables and travel suggestions written by locals and if you are traveling with a laptop you can use your 'handy' phone as your personal Wi-Fi hotspot. You can also get the handy at the Visitors centre in Orchard Road. KEITH: And food options? HARRY: Well in Singapore you can get any food options you like. One of the best places I think to get a flavour of Singapore is to visit Lau Pat Sat in the CBD. It was the old colonial fruit and vegetable markets of Singapore and is now outdoor dining. In the evening a number of the side streets close down and you can sit outdoors and eat Chicken Rice and the Chilli Crab with a beer. Its great on a hot night after work. Now I never thought I would be saying this as a travel tip, but when in Singapore, go to your local Macdonald and check out the latest burger?

KEITH:: What you want me to visit MacDonald's whist in Singapore? HARRY: Yes because you will see and taste the most unusual burgers you will ever see in your life. Last time I was in Singapore I had a Ebi Prawn Burger and a Samurai Burger which was Fish & Wasabi. There is also Banana, Green Been or Durian Pie instead of the traditional Apple Pie and then there is Green Tea McFlurie. Now you cant get that in Australia. And every month there is a new McDonald toy which is a real toy. KEITH: Well Harry thanks for that interesting culinary tip. When in Singapore next time I will be rushing off to the closest McDonald's. Keith Goodman is a travel writer that reviews locations exclusively for Cheng's Travel. Cheng’s Travel currently has a number of Singapore travel option available why not call them on (03) 9014 1197 to discuss your travel options? Phone: (03) 9014 1197 Email: cheng_travel@yahoo.com.au Website: http://www.ctglobaljet.com.au