Local traditions and culture in Singapore

4 more images

Singapore is a tourists paradise when it comes to transportation. You get to choose whether to travel by MRT, by bus or by taxi. You can even travel by Duck! (google: DUCK TOURS). And, being the logistical wizards that they are, they even put up this nice payment system.

Introducing, the EZ LINK card. You should get one. This little card (once you top it up with cash) (think S$20 for the entire 4 days you'll be there) will serve you well and save you time. With the EZ LINK card, you don't have to keep lining up for MRT tickets. You can just "tap" in. (you place the card on top of the sensor. "TAP" and voila! You can enter!). No more lining up with the infernal machines. Also, the EZ LINK cards are welcome in MRTs, BUSES and even SOME Taxi's (you just have to watch out for the sticker on the window).

By the way, I've kept the same EZLink card for more than a year. :) I just keep topping up when I go back. The thing doesn't expire. :)

Oh and.. they accept the EZLink for the Sentosa Monorail and Boardwalk.

Let's talk BUS. Almost everywhere you go, there should be a bus stop nearby. And at every bus stop, there's a "GUIDE" telling you which numbered bus to take to go where. I have to admit, I don't take buses much in Singapore. The numbers confuse me. I prefer "colors" (I'll explain later with the MRT system). And surprisingly, I've yet to see them give out time scheds or a map of what bus to get to take you where. I heard that I'd have to buy this mythical list but... *shrugs*, I'm too cheap to do it. Why should I? The MRT and taxis serve me well. Anyway, in case some of you may be smarter than me (regarding the bus system), here's what I found on the web for you http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/transport/trpt_bus_inter.aspx Good luck!

Now, about TAXI's. Some accept cash, some accept credit cards (yes they do)... (take note: I said some) and some accept EZ LINK Cards. You should however, have singapore dollars to pay them. I've spoken to a taxi driver that asked me "How much 1 australian dollar is in singapore dollars" and when I googled to check, he sorta got depressed. Turns out he got ...err...'cheated'. So be nice, and pay the kind men (or in one instance, woman) in singapore dollars. Oh and about tipping here in Singpaore, I was very surprised that they return even the smallest coin of 10 cents! Yes, they're exact to the point of no return. If you're bill is 3.20 and you give 3.50, he'll return .30 to you. Don't be guilty of not tipping the taxi people. Locals don't do it. They consider the initial flag down fare (which is included into your bill) more than fair.

Oh and... they only allow maximum four (4) passengers per taxi. So if there are 5 of you in the group, split up. OR you can take a limo taxi (slightly bigger but not the full length limo we see in hollywood). I suggest you split up.

Now the taxi payment thing (I forgot what you call it) has different 'surcharges'. Pay attention to this before you get into an argument with your taxi driver. :) There are certain "hidden fees" that get added to your total amount on the meter. Be aware of what they are. (for the most part, I just listen to the taxi driver-- I haven't been cheated yet in my 8 trips to Singapore).

Normal flag down rate is S$3 (this is added to your total on the meter). If you get the limo, I think it's an additional S$4.
Mondays to Fridays at 7am to 930am and 5pm to 8pm (PEAK HOURS), there is a 35% surcharge on your entire bill. (Yes, gasp all you want. Taxi's are expensive in singapore)(avoid taking taxis at peak hours).
Midnight. If you get a taxi at midnight... you get a 50% surcharge of your entire bill. So plan your trip. Try not to stay out beyond 11pm. Else the MRT trains will shut down on you and you've no choice but to board the taxi.
Also, if you travel to the central business district from 5pm to midnight, there's ANOTHER surcharge of S$3 to be addd to your initial flag down fee.
If you're coming from the airport (PSST!! Attention please on this one as most of us will always be coming from the airport), there is an additional S$5 surcharge on top of everything.

TIP: it's cheapest to take a taxi on Sundays. So, for me, we travel around via MRT until my legs refuse to walk anymore, and that's the only time we take taxis. But on sundays, my boyfriend likes to spoil me with taxis since it's cheaper. :D LoL!
Another piece of advice: If you're wondering how much it'd cost from the airport to ...say... Orchard road via taxi when you arrive... think somewhere around S$25.

Oh and... Once you arrive in Singapore, select SINGTEL as the network to use (or get a local prepaid sim at the nearby 7-11 stores). And input these numbers into your phone already. Taxi numbers, when you want to call a taxi to come pick you up. You see... taxi lines in singapore can become anacondas. Meaning...it'll snake on forever. You can be smart and call for a taxi and skip the line. Don't think of it as rude. Think of it as smart. Plus, you're paying for the additional flagdown fee so you're ok. There is an additional S$3.50 when you call a taxi over to come get you. But for me... it's worth it. I don't want to grow old in line.

(Especially helpful when you go to popular out of the way places like Jurong Bird Park, The Singapore Zoo and certain malls along Orchard).
** if you're using a local network already (or the prepaid card) remove the (65) and just dial straight.
Comfort City Cab (65) 6552 1111
Dial-a-Cab 6342 5222
SMRT Taxi 6555 8888
SMART Cabs 6485 7777
Transcab 6555 3333

All you have to do is call, they'll ask you for your name, your location (try to be at the taxi stand or corner or entrance of the place you are) and they'll tell you the plate number of the cab coming to get you. :) (I LIKE this system of theirs).

As for the MRT... it's the easiest for me to understand. The maps are color coordinated and it runs like clockwork. :) For me, it's the cheapest way to get around Singapore. When you arrive at the airport, grab hold of those singapore maps. It'll have the MRT stops/map on it. :) Which should tell you what the nearest one is to your destination.

And most of all... best transportation in Singapore? Your feet. You're gonna do a LOT of walking. Makes it so logical why there are so many spas around with posters saying "FOOT MASSAGE HERE".

Hope this helps you get around Singapore better. :)

4 more images

Since Singapore is a Souvenir Shopper Paradise, Iget to choose on a variety of Shot glasses here since the shot glasses are another of my favorite collector fetishes when going to a place and since I did not buy a souvenir item the last time I was here in 1999, I must buy several never mind the price (I'm not a cheapskate hehehe). You can buy shot glasses here almost everywhere and the price range will be from Singapore $ 4 to $ 8 (depending on the area you will buy like in Universal Studios, the shot glass will cost about $ 8 and also the same at the Marina Bay Sands while in local Souvenir Shops will cost you about $ 4 to 6).

4 more images

hey, Singapore is a souvenir hunters delight with lots of souvenir shops around especially in the Tourist Areas and what to do for the avid collector of souvenirs particularly refrigerator magnets like me but to buy one what the heck, buy many hehehe. the choices are endless and they are made of many materials like ceramic, plastic, magnetite, pewter, aluminum and more and you can buy them in every souvenir shops and again you must haggle when buying these items and the price range will be between Singapore $ 3 to Singapore $ 8 (when you buy them at the swamky and ultra luxe Marina Bay Sands or at the Singapore Flyer or at Universal Studios).

4 more images

lots of souvenir shops selling what else but souvenirs and the assorted souvenir shops sell anythting from singapore key chains, refrigerator magnets, pewter cups, pictured ceramic plates, Shot Glasses, assorted T-shirts of all shapes and sizes and other souvenir knick knacks and the best thing is that there are numerous souvenir shops around the city but a caveat: always canvass the prices here and learn how to haggle since the price of each souvenir stuff is different in each store. example of the prices is the refrigerator magnest will cost between $ 3 to 5 depening on the make if it is wood or magnetic plastic and t-shirts will cost between $ 8 to 15 depending on the size and color and if it has a collar or not.

4 more images

there is this local superstition of which you must circle the Suntec city's famous Fountain of Wealth five times so that you will become lucky since the number 5 and fountain in Fujian or Minnan Language of China rhymes with luck. Also the Fountain of wealth of Suntec City is the Largest Fountain in the World. During certain periods of the day, the fountain is turned off and visitors are invited to walk around a mini fountain at the centre of the fountain's base for good luck. At night, the fountain is the setting for laser performances, as well as "live" song and laser message dedications between 8pm to 9pm.

the Suntec City fountain of wealth is at: 3 Temasek Blvd. Singapore
Tel No: 6295 2888
Nearest MRT is Promenade Station

4 more images

the cendol is a trans southeast asian dessert that you can taste even in thailand, vietnam, malaysia, myanmar, indonesia and here in tiny Singapore. It is one of my favorite Southeast asian desserts and cendol or chendol is made from coconut milk, a worm-like jelly made from rice flour with green food coloring (usually derived from the pandan leaf), shaved ice and palm sugar. Next to these basic recipe, other ingredients such as red beans, glutinous rice, grass jelly, creamed corn and the taste is oh so heavenly. the chendol is available everywhere like in food stalls or food courts, markets, malls, hawker centers and hotels. the price of a chendol in a glass is about $ 1.50 and is truly a refreshing drink cum dessert on a hot and humid day in tropical Singapore.

4 more images

Originally an Indonesian Shaved Ice Specialty but also popular in Nearby Singapore. the southeast asian and east asian region are crazy about iced shaved desserts and here in Singapore is no exception, one of the most popular iced shaved drink cum dessert is the Ais Kacang is the Malaysian and Indonesian version of the korean patbingsu and the japanese kakigori and the Thai Nam Kang Sai and the Philippine Halo Halo. Being a tropical country, Malaysians love cold desserts and Ais Kacang is on the top of the list. The Ais Kacang basically has a large serving of attap chee (palm seed), red beans, sweet corn, grass jelly and cubes of agar agar as common ingredients. Other less common ingredients include aloe vera in one form or another (e.g. jelly), cendol, Nata de coco or ice cream in various variants of the dessert. A final topping of Evaporated milk, condensed milk, or coconut milk is drizzled over the mountain of ice along with red rose syrup. It is available everywhere especially at food stalls and hawker centers and costs $ 1.40 an order.

4 more images

the teh tahrik or pulled milk tea is a malaysian indian (or singaporean indian) invention. Why is it called teh tarik? ok since the mixture is poured back and forth repeatedly between two vessels from a height, giving it a thick frothy top (also known as pulled). This process cools the process fluid (tea) to optimal drinking temperatures, and helps to thoroughly mix the tea with the condensed milk. It is also done to give the tea a better flavor. This is often compared to the decantering of toddy to improve the flavor function. Often found in Indian hawker stalls or restaurants, preparing the teh-tarik is both an art and science. they are found everywhere in Singapore especially at the Hawker Centers and Food Courts and in the whole of Singapore wherein a small glass costs about $ 1.50 and a big glass at $ 2 and is available hot or cold.

Read more: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/db569/13901a/a/#ixzz1MZcz1jfX