Singapore Expats

Hi, all,

I am 30-something American that just moved to Singapore. I plan on spending at least a year here but hope to devour the scene like each month is my last. So, what would you add to my "must do" list? Any food that is not to be missed? Bars or clubs that can offer a few wild nights? Beaches? Rides? Strange adventures?

Give me absolutely anything you think of. I say 'no' to nothing!

T

Good idea, a Singapore top-ten list. There may be some ideas for us all in this thread.

I enjoy hiking in the jungle and think a must-do is a trip into the WWII Japanese Shinto Shrine that is tucked away in the Jungle behind Macritchie. Google it and you can find maps and info on how to get in there. It isn't particularly easy.

Very un-urban and jungle treking is not something you'd expect to do in Sg, but a healthy and fun way to spend the better part of a day. Let me know if you are going, I'm always looking for a walk.

visiting night safari.

staying in raffles hotel. or at least having singapore sling there.

trying to get into a sale opening session.

eating durians and mangosteen.

having roti prata in street side stall or the hawker centre opposite tekka market. dont forget teh tarik.

having tiger beer feast with local uncles in hawker centre, or Lau Pa Sat at least.

taking a bus journey in one of the heartland route; ang mo kio, bedok etc. better in school holiday season, sometime in the late morning.

joining the crowd during the thaipusam festival (if you have a chance to live in Malaysia, then i heard it's more happening there)

visiting geylang serai market in the evening during fasting month.

not really particular singapore thing.. but.. going out with bunch of locals to karaoke on the weekend night.

attending one of the parties organised by the F1.

getting a weekend trip (long weekend is better) to endau rompin national park in neighbour malaysia.

having chilli crab or butter crab in No Signboard seafood in Geylang, wandering around the area, joining the alley-side casino.. (the rest, it depends on individual's preference.. )

traiano wrote:Any food that is not to be missed?

You have no chance to try all the "not to be missed" food that is on offer in Singapore in just one year, if you eat out only three times a day ...

Have fun!

cinder wrote:
staying in raffles hotel. or at least having singapore sling there.

singapore sling is overrated..well...thats my personal opinion..and friendS who have tried it...

and yes, from Raffles hotel..

-> Go for one of the champagne brunches, preferably in Fullerton (the building is interesting)
-> Visit Equinox or nearby bar and see Singapore from the high floor (spectacular view)
-> Visit Orchard Towers during weekend (local scene for party animals)
-> eat in hawker centres, best are in the suburbs (so you can get good food and other attractions like old lady selling 4D lottery tickets, old guy holding a type of nose inhalator in his nostril etc.)
-> take a ride in a MRT i. e., towards Woodlands (to see people sleeping, clipping their fingernails and all the rest of local peculiarities
-> Go to Pulau Ubin (rent a bike and chase chickens around the island
-> visit Singapore Botanical Gardens and orchid garden (beautiful flowers and other plants like pineapples, ginger etc.)
-> go to Chinatown around Chinese New Year (be prepared for the crowd)
-> attend local weddings (each culture has own celebrations, but it is all so interesting and worth seeing)
-> talk with locals about the cultural differences (you must know them a little, so they could be honest or react spontaneously)
-> visit one of the spas for the massage (foot massage is also good)
-> visit Mustafa mall at least once (to see everything under one roof)
-> go to Esplanade for a concert
-> participate in one of the dance and dinners organized by your employer (specific food, different 'attractions' like silly lucky draws or competitions)

The Singapore attractions are nothing special. It is just a modern city and you can see all of what you get here in the US.

The most important thing is you SHOULD NOT miss the lovely destinations that are just hours away from singapore, like Phuket, Bangkok, KL, Genting, Bali, Langkawi, Penang, Kuching.... I could go on and on and on

One year is just not enough

The bars off Tanjong Pagar and Duxton Roads

More opportune than just doing stuff in Singapore is the close proximity to the Asean countries. When again are you gonna be this close to these places, with a few of them world heritage ones rite?

Some of the must-dos in Singapore for us on WEEKDAYS are:
- East Coast Park
- Jurong Birdpark
- Hawker centers
- Museums
- Parks
- Shopping malls
- Libraries

And WEEKENDS:
- To stay at home and watch DVDs
- To explore neighborhood eateries + massage
- Trips to neighboring countries

And if you have more time and money:
- Singapore Zoo (IMO, it is good for Southeast Asia standard. Seeing the animals in small spaces makes my heart sad.)
- Sentosa
- Singapore Flyer

make sure you understand the entries in this list: http://forum.singaporeexpats.com/ftopic32779.html

How about adding "Visit Geylang" to the list?
Amsterdam isn't the only place with an interesting night life.

Haven't tried this myself, but will when I lose enough weight:

Megazip - 75m high, 450m long, 50km/hour

Splatted wrote:Haven't tried this myself, but will when I lose enough weight:

Megazip - 75m high, 450m long, 50km/hour

oh, you should! done it twice already. i just wished there was a way to prevent you from spinning and ending up zipping down with your back facing forward.

Oh my, the human cable car. Now that does sound like fun. Time to revisit Sentosa I guess...

water sports! sailing, SUP, kayak, windsurfing, banana boat, wake boarding