In Singapore

Marianne Rogerson

Description

This book highlights the 'best-of-the-best' things to see and do in Singapore. Divided into five sections: cultural interest, walks, food & drink, just for fun and entertaining the kids, In Singapore provides a comprehensive insight to enjoying yourself in the country. Each of the 60 activities featured equips readers with what to expect along with all relevant information and a selection of full-colour images. Ideal for both tourists and expatriate residents. Visitors can pick from the shortlist of the best activities and choose those which are most suited to their interests and schedules. Even residents will find interesting pursuits that they may have never previously considered.

Sujets

• Singapore
• Singapour

Informations

• Publié par: MarshallCavendishM
• Date de parution: 01 septembre 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789814435406
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 21 Mo

Extrait

Editor: Crystal Chan
Designer: Rachel Chen
Copyright 2009 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited
Published by Marshall Cavendish Editions
An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International
1 New Industrial road, Singapore 536196
All rights reserved
All photos from the author except pages 93-94 (Asian Civilisations Museum), 97-98 (Changi Museum), 119 (Peranakan Museum), 130-131, 152 154 (Raffles Hotel), 210 223-224, (Sentosa Leisure Group), 238, 256 259 (Keppel Bay Sailing Academy), 248 251 (Wildlife Reserves Singapore), 258 (Lloyd Marine).
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail] . Website: www.marshallcavendish.com/genref
The publisher makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this book, and specifically disclaims any implied warranties or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose, and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.
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National Library Board Singapore Cataloguing in Publication Data
Rogerson, Marianne.
In Singapore : 60 fabulous adventures in the city / Marianne Rogerson. - Singapore : Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2009.
p. cm.
eISBN : 978 981 4435 40 6
1. Singapore - Guidebooks. I. Title.
DS608.8
915.95704 -- dc22 OCN433428323
Printed in Singapore by Times Printers Pte Ltd
There are a few people I would like to thank, without whom this book would never have happened. Firstly, the team at Marshall Cavendish, particularly Melvin Neo, Violet Phoon and Chris Newson for giving me this great opportunity. I couldn t have hoped for a better project to work on. And of course to Crystal Chan and Rachel Chen for all their hard work on making the finished product look as fantastic as it does.
Thanks to all the people around Singapore who helped me out during my months of research. There are too many of you to mention individually but I hope that I have done your help justice within the pages of the book.
Special thanks go to my exploring partner Jo, it wouldn t have been half as much fun without you. And, as always, to Dougie for continually supporting and believing in me, no matter how hair-brained my scheme.
Introduction
Getting Around
Take a Hike
Explore Kampong Glam
Walk through Chinatown
Discover Singapore s Colonial Past
Explore Little India
Walk through the Rainforest Canopy
Take a Stroll on the Beach
Wander through the Bonsai Trees
Take an Urban Walk in the Rainforest
Discover Kampong Life
Take a Walk in the Mangroves
Marvel at the Orchids
Walk to the Top of Singapore
Cultural Interest
Learn the Entire History of Singapore
Get to Know Buddha
Visit the Sole Surviving Coastal Fort
Discover Chinatown s Past
Head into an Underground Command Centre
Discover Ancient Asian Civilisations
Remember the Prisoners of War
Take a Walk through Singapore s History
Visit the Temple of the Goddess of Mercy
Explore Secret Tunnels
Admire Some Southeast Asian Art
Discover Peranakan Life
Commemorate the Bravery of the Malay Regiment
Visit the Site of the British Surrender
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Sample Some Street Food
Enjoy a Curry in Little India
Feast on the Nation s Most Famous Dish
Hunt for Some Fresh Fruit Veg
Enjoy Dining with a View
Sip on a Singapore Sling
Indulge in the King of Fruits
Track Down the Real Katong Laksa
Enjoy a Good Cuppa
Cook Up a Storm
Dig into Some Dim Sum
A Night on the Quays
Enjoy a Buffet Blowout
Entertaining the Kids
Have Fun with the Birds
Take a Journey to the Bottom of the Sea
Explore the Weird World of Science
Have Breakfast with the Orang Utans
Learn What it Means to be Singaporean
Whizz Down some Water Slides
Sing Along with a Dancing Fish
Swing through the Trees
Take a Wander through Chinese Mythology
Enjoy a 4D Cinema Experience
Ride a Pony
Whizz Down a Hill
Go for a Glide around Sentosa
Just For Fun
Get a Bird s Eye View
Ride on a Bumboat
Hang Out with the Nocturnal Animals
3, 2, 1.... Bungee!
Take to the High Seas
Partake in Some Foot Nibbling
Take a Three-Wheeled Tour
Take in an Aerial View
Ride Some Waves
A Day or Night at the Races
Set Sail on a Chinese Junk
Perfect your Golf Swing
If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone complain that there s nothing to do in Singapore except eat and shop , I would be a rich lady indeed. In fact when I first told a friend that I was writing a book about things to do in Singapore, he quipped that ll be a short book then . Indeed most people I told about this project doubted that I would find enough things to do in and around the city to fill a book.
Well there is more to Singapore than shopping malls and restaurants-and here s the evidence. I have to say the I months I spent researching this book, I had a ball-even I didn t realise how much fun was to be had on my doorstep. From exploring World War II military bunkers, to whizzing down water chutes or tucking into a tableful of dim sum , there really is something for everyone here.
And there s never been a more fun and exciting time to visit-the city/state is constantly looking to the future and is now doing its best to shrug off its squeaky-clean chewing gum-forbidding image. With the revamp of Clarke Quay, the city has found a new lease of nightlife; the opening of the Singapore Flyer promises record-breaking, cutting-edge tourist attractions; the launch of the integrated resorts sees the arrival of 24-hour gambling in the casinos; and the hosting of the inaugural night time Formula 1 Grand Prix proves the city is now placed firmly in the world s spotlight.
This book is designed to highlight to you the best of the best of Singapore-the most interesting exhibits and walks, the most fun attractions and the best culinary experiences. I hope that you will dip into it often to gain inspiration for getting out and about. As my mother used to tell me during school holidays as a kid, Only boring people get bored , so don t be boring-get out there and explore, you never know you might just enjoy yourself!
When Sir Stamford Raffles developed his plan for Singapore in 1822, he divided the city up into ethnic enclaves-and these are still in evidence today in Little India, Chinatown and the Arab Quarter. The other main central districts include Orchard Road, the Colonial District and the Central Business District-with Northern, Eastern and Western Singapore and Sentosa Island which lies to the South, being slightly further afield. Each area is small and self contained and so the easiest plan of attack for exploring the city is to navigate your way around by area.
The public transport system in Singapore is excellent-the buses and MRT (subway) are safe, efficient, clean, cheap and air-conditioned. The MRT links most major parts of the city and is favoured by visitors as the easiest, quickest and most comfortable way to explore the island, and as such is the principal method of transport provided in the Getting There information within this book. Location maps are placed at most MRT exits for you to get your bearings. Most of the tracks run underground in the inner city area, but once you move further out of the city, the trains run overland, so it is a good way to see the suburbs of Singapore, taking in the vast number of high-rise housing estates where the majority of the population lives. Trains run from 05:30 am-00:30 am, with last trains varying with each station.
For areas not covered by the MRT, the bus system is equally as efficient and you rarely have to wait more than a few minutes for a bus. Route and timing information is available at each bus stop. Every bus stop is numbered-starting with a letter B followed by a number (eg. B01), with even numbered bus stops on one side of the road and odd numbers on the other.
Numbering starts from the beginning again with each street name change. If you plan on travelling frequently by bus, the Singapore Bus Guide Bus-Stop Directory by Mighty Minds is invaluable, listing all bus routes and bus stops in Singapore. Map grid references are provided to enable you to cross reference with the Mighty Minds Street Directory . Single-fare tickets for the MRT can be bought from the ticket machines in the train stations-the ticket includes a 1.00 deposit which will be refunded when you return your card at the end of the journey. You can buy bus tickets on the bus with cash, but ensure you have the correct fare as no change is given.
If you plan to do lots of exploring, your best bet is to buy an EZ-link card, which can be bought from any MRT station or TransitLink ticket office. The card costs 15 which includes 10 of travel credit and cards can be topped up (minimum top-up is 10.00) at the ticket machines in the train stations. Fares on the trains range from 70 to 3.00, but you need to have a minimum of 3.00 stored value on your EZ-link card to start any journey. You c