Welcome
to my beautiful Singapore
This blog is a private guide to Singapore for
our overseas visitors.
You are welcome to share this link with your overseas visitors.
This webpage is best viewed on desktop computer but it is also optimised for tablets and mobile phones.
Good to know information and facts to know prior to coming to Singapore.
Good to know information and facts to know prior to coming to Singapore.
My following three blogs are quick facts about my beautiful city:
My following three blogs are quick facts about my beautiful city:
Singapore is 1 degree north of the equator so Singapore is aka as One North.
December is the coolest month of the year in Singapore but it can be a bit rainy. If you are coming in December come prepared with an umbrella or the hotel can loan you one. The mean temperature is likely to be around 30 degrees and may drop to 26 degrees Celsius with a relative humidity of 86.5%. It feels like a warm fall day in Canada. The heat is quite tolerable as all public transportation and commercial buildings like shopping malls are all air conditioned.
As a matter of fact December is the best time to visit Singapore.
Singapore is 1 degree north of the equator so Singapore is aka as One North.
December is the coolest month of the year in Singapore but it can be a bit rainy. If you are coming in December come prepared with an umbrella or the hotel can loan you one. The mean temperature is likely to be around 30 degrees and may drop to 26 degrees Celsius with a relative humidity of 86.5%. It feels like a warm fall day in Canada. The heat is quite tolerable as all public transportation and commercial buildings like shopping malls are all air conditioned.
As a matter of fact December is the best time to visit Singapore.
Have the following ready before you arrive in Singapore:
Have the following ready before you arrive in Singapore:
- Get e-sim card before you arrive. This way you do not have to physically swap the sim card on your phone and you have internet access when you are not in the hotel.
www.airalo.com is a good choice and there are also many other e-sim card providers. - From Google Play download and install:
- Grab a popular taxi hailing service in Singapore and you can charge taxi fares to your credit card
- Google Maps is a popular travel navigation apps for Singapore
- Install WhatsApp so calls can be made without incurring long distance charges when calling your friends and family from Singapore
My Recommendations:
My Recommendations:
- Flights: There are relatively cheap direct flights by Singapore Airline from Seattle to Singapore with no stop over and this cuts the travel time from 21 hours to 12 hours.
You have to go directly to the Singapore Airline's website to find this flight. Link is here.
There is also direct flight by United Airline from from San Francisco to Singapore.
AirCanada also fly direct from Toronto to Singapore
Cathy Pacific is another choice for direct flight from Toronto to Singapore. - Hotel: V Hotel Lavender is a 4 star hotel at budget rate. It is located on top of the Lavender MRT (subway) station. A very convenient location
Link to direct hotel booking is here.
Detail of suggested program below:
Detail of suggested program below:
Day 1- Arrival
Day 1- Arrival
On landing you will clear the super efficient immigration and custom very quickly in less than 15 minutes and your luggage will be waiting for you at the luggage belt after immigration formalities.
On landing you will clear the super efficient immigration and custom very quickly in less than 15 minutes and your luggage will be waiting for you at the luggage belt after immigration formalities.
Your Singapore host can meet you at the airport as you exit the luggage belt area. As long as your Singapore host knows what flight you are on, the host will know which luggage belt you will pick up your luggage
Your Singapore host can meet you at the airport as you exit the luggage belt area. As long as your Singapore host knows what flight you are on, the host will know which luggage belt you will pick up your luggage
No need to bring or exchange for Singapore dollars. One Canadian dollar is approximately equal to one Singapore dollar.
No need to bring or exchange for Singapore dollars. One Canadian dollar is approximately equal to one Singapore dollar.
When your host can meet at the airport they can loan you $200. Easy and no hassle. With your credit cards, S$200 is all you need for 4 days.
When your host can meet at the airport they can loan you $200. Easy and no hassle. With your credit cards, S$200 is all you need for 4 days.
Your hotel may arrange a limousine pickup at the airport on your arrival. This will be charged to your hotel bill and are normally much more expensive than a regular airport taxi.
Your hotel may arrange a limousine pickup at the airport on your arrival. This will be charged to your hotel bill and are normally much more expensive than a regular airport taxi.
Taxis are also available for hire at the taxi stands in the arrival areas of Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4. A ride to the city centre takes about 30 minutes and costs between S$20 and S$40. All fares are metered.
Taxis are also available for hire at the taxi stands in the arrival areas of Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4. A ride to the city centre takes about 30 minutes and costs between S$20 and S$40. All fares are metered.
There is an Airport Surcharge for all trips originating from the Airport Mon–Sun (5:00PM–11:59PM): S$8 Airport Surcharge
There is an Airport Surcharge for all trips originating from the Airport Mon–Sun (5:00PM–11:59PM): S$8 Airport Surcharge
For four days you'll probably not need more than S$200 in cash as credit card is accepted everywhere including public transportation.
There is no need for tiping in taxi or restaurants. Restaurants will levy a 10% service charge and no additional tips are expected.
For four days you'll probably not need more than S$200 in cash as credit card is accepted everywhere including public transportation.
There is no need for tiping in taxi or restaurants. Restaurants will levy a 10% service charge and no additional tips are expected.
Synopsis of a suggested program for your stay in Singapore
Synopsis of a suggested program for your stay in Singapore
Day 1 - On your arrival in Singapore your host can meet you at the airport after you've collect your luggage. They can stand just outside luggage belt area to greet you.
Day 1 - On your arrival in Singapore your host can meet you at the airport after you've collect your luggage. They can stand just outside luggage belt area to greet you.
Login to the free airport wifi and you can stay in touch with your host on WhatsApp just in case you miss each other.
Login to the free airport wifi and you can stay in touch with your host on WhatsApp just in case you miss each other.
Day 2 Your host meet at the Buddha Tooth Temple in Chinatown at 12.00 noon, you'll probably have to take a taxi from your hotel at about 11.30 am. You can have lunch at food street (Smith Street in Chinatown). After lunch view the Buddha Tooth Temple and the famous Indian Temple in Chinatown. At about 3 pm you all can head for the Singapore Botanic Garden/Orchidarium
Day 2 Your host meet at the Buddha Tooth Temple in Chinatown at 12.00 noon, you'll probably have to take a taxi from your hotel at about 11.30 am. You can have lunch at food street (Smith Street in Chinatown). After lunch view the Buddha Tooth Temple and the famous Indian Temple in Chinatown. At about 3 pm you all can head for the Singapore Botanic Garden/Orchidarium
Day 2 evening - after the Botanic Garden head for dinner at the many restaurants in the downtown area. And if you are coming in December go see Xmas decoration on Orchard in the downtown shopping area. Many tourist come to Singapore just to see this amazing largest display of Christmas lights in the world.
Day 2 evening - after the Botanic Garden head for dinner at the many restaurants in the downtown area. And if you are coming in December go see Xmas decoration on Orchard in the downtown shopping area. Many tourist come to Singapore just to see this amazing largest display of Christmas lights in the world.
Day 3 - Have lunch before proceeding to Bird Paradise.
In the evening you all can have outdoor Satay dinner at the old market
Day 3 - Have lunch before proceeding to Bird Paradise.
In the evening you all can have outdoor Satay dinner at the old market
Day 4 - on your own to Garden by the Bay, dinner (5.30pm) at Pollen Restaurant a meditaranian fusion restuarant right next to the Flower Dome and light show starts at (7.15pm) just 10 minutes walk away.
Day 4 - on your own to Garden by the Bay, dinner (5.30pm) at Pollen Restaurant a meditaranian fusion restuarant right next to the Flower Dome and light show starts at (7.15pm) just 10 minutes walk away.
Day 5 - depart for cruise
Day 5 - depart for cruise
Please see below for detail program.
Please see below for detail program.
Day 2 Lunch at Food Street in Chinatown
Day 2 Lunch at Food Street in Chinatown
At about 11.30am take a taxi from hotel to Buddha Tooth Temple in Chinatown where your host will meet you at about 12.00 noon infront of the temple. A block away is Food Street where we will have lunch.
At about 11.30am take a taxi from hotel to Buddha Tooth Temple in Chinatown where your host will meet you at about 12.00 noon infront of the temple. A block away is Food Street where we will have lunch.
Day 2 after lunch.
Day 2 after lunch.
Your host will take you to see the Buddha Tooth Temple.
Your host will take you to see the Buddha Tooth Temple.
The Indian Temple is just one block from the Buddha Tooth Temple
The Indian Temple is just one block from the Buddha Tooth Temple
Day 2 after visiting temples in Chinatown we go to the Botanic Garden and Orchidarium.
Day 2 after visiting temples in Chinatown we go to the Botanic Garden and Orchidarium.
The Singapore Botanic Garden is a UNESCO Heritage Site.
The Singapore Botanic Garden is a UNESCO Heritage Site.
The Orchidarium is very worthwhile seeing.
This visit and lunch will take about 2 to 3 hours
The Orchidarium is very worthwhile seeing.
This visit and lunch will take about 2 to 3 hours
Day 2 evening
Day 2 evening
After visiting the Botanical Garden, you all at 6 pm can have dinner at the Faculty Club's Scholar Chinese Restaurant for Chinese cuisine. Sample Menu
After visiting the Botanical Garden, you all at 6 pm can have dinner at the Faculty Club's Scholar Chinese Restaurant for Chinese cuisine. Sample Menu
Scholar Chinese Restaurant at
Scholar Chinese Restaurant at
Kent Ridge Guild House
Kent Ridge Guild House
9 Kent Ridge Drive, Singapore 119241
9 Kent Ridge Drive, Singapore 119241
Tel: 6779 1811 or 6586 3710
Tel: 6779 1811 or 6586 3710
After dinner you can head downtown to the main shopping district for a dazzling display of Xmas lights, decoration and live Xmas carols.
After dinner you can head downtown to the main shopping district for a dazzling display of Xmas lights, decoration and live Xmas carols.
This 5 mile stretch is the world largest display of Xmas festivities.
This 5 mile stretch is the world largest display of Xmas festivities.
There are also many live Xmas carols and baskers on the street.
There are also many live Xmas carols and baskers on the street.
Many tourists come to Singapore just to view this.
Many tourists come to Singapore just to view this.
Day 3 afternoon
Day 3 afternoon
Take a taxi (Grab) from Hotel to arrive at our place at about 11 am, you may have to start from hotel at about 10.30 am.
Take a taxi (Grab) from Hotel to arrive at our place at about 11 am, you may have to start from hotel at about 10.30 am.
Our address is:
Our address is:
87 Dawson Road, #30-27
87 Dawson Road, #30-27
Skyville
Skyville
Tell taxi driver to enter the multstorey carpark via Dawson Road, and let you off at drop off point A block 87. We will meet you there. Message us by WhatsApp as you leave hotel.
Tell taxi driver to enter the multstorey carpark via Dawson Road, and let you off at drop off point A block 87. We will meet you there. Message us by WhatsApp as you leave hotel.
Day 3
Day 3
Predators on Wings 2:30pm
Predators on Wings 2:30pm
Wings of the World 5:00pm
Wings of the World 5:00pm
Notes for ourselves:
Public Transportation to Bird Paradise. Take about 1 hr 9 mins
MRT EW line to Jurong East
Switch to NS line (red line) to Chua Chu Kang.
Take Bus 927 to Bird Paradise
Alight at Mandai Lake Road 48111
3min walk to Bird Paradise
Day 3 evening
Day 3 evening
After Bird Paradise we proceed by Grab taxi to the Old Market for outdoor Satay dinner.
After Bird Paradise we proceed by Grab taxi to the Old Market for outdoor Satay dinner.
Day 4 Afternoon
Day 4 Afternoon
This is a must see tourist attraction in Singapore.
This is a must see tourist attraction in Singapore.
It cost more than $1.0 billion to built and about $50 million to maintain it every year. It has the world's largest terrariums.
It cost more than $1.0 billion to built and about $50 million to maintain it every year. It has the world's largest terrariums.
Must see attracts include:
Must see attracts include:
- Cloud Forest
- Foral Fantasy
- Flower Dome
Foral Fantasy and Flower Dome will be Xmas themed!
Foral Fantasy and Flower Dome will be Xmas themed!
5.30 pm. Dinner at Pollen Restaurnt (just beside the flower dome)
5.30 pm. Dinner at Pollen Restaurnt (just beside the flower dome)
Reservation at for 5.30 pm preferred
Watch the light show which starts at 7.15 pm and is only 10 minutes walk away from the restaurant. Bring a towel to lay on the ground to face skyward to watch this amazing music synchronised light show.
Reservation at for 5.30 pm preferred
Watch the light show which starts at 7.15 pm and is only 10 minutes walk away from the restaurant. Bring a towel to lay on the ground to face skyward to watch this amazing music synchronised light show.
This webpage is for your reading pleasure, please send me an email casey@aceblaster.com if you have any questions.
This webpage is for your reading pleasure, please send me an email casey@aceblaster.com if you have any questions.