Tourist Attractions in Singapore

I went to a shop in SIM LIM, almost got cheated by a sales man who tried to sell me IPAD wifi without 3g while he pretends that the IPAD has wifi and 3g. He was asking for the price of IPAD with wifi + 3g. Then to another shop in SIM LIM again almost got cheated when the sales man tried to sell IPAD at lesser price but once he has your money, he will not release the product nor give you your money back unless you pay him another 200$ just to register the thing. Then I got to another store in Sim LIM Finally, got cheated by a store who sold to me the IPAD at their posted price but then later, the price was inceased by 7% for tax.

Unique Suggestions: Tell them you have to ask your sister abroad, and when they give you the phone, tell them your sister said no!
Tell them you will sue the tenant and the mall owner for damages.

Fun Alternatives: Go to refutable store and buy there, the price is guaranteed the same plus you'll get authertic, original, high quality, good service and waranty.

Most tourists come here thinking they can get the cheapest electronic items like digital still and video cameras, yet end up paying more than actual retail prices.

A typical tactic used by most of the shops here is to quote a slightly lesser retail price to entice the shoppers in but will insist on extra accessories like batteries or lenses. Either that or just quote you high marked-up prices. Any request to just buy the item without all the accessories will be met with unruly behaviour, to the point of them passing rude remarks and simply refuse to sell the item to you.

Avoid Sim Lim Square like a plague if you're looking for such items. They're better places you can get the same for much lesser prices.

Unique Suggestions: Head straight to Orient Photo at the 6th floor. The only one that seem to still charge reasonable prices. Not the cheapest prices you can get in Singapore, but definitely not cut-throat ones.

Fun Alternatives: MS Color - Ang Mo Kio

Let me give an alternative answer. Here are places you must NEVER ever go to get a camera :

(a) Lucky Plaza
(b) Sim Lim Square
(c) Peninsula Plaza

(a) and (c) are blatant rip offs and the staff there have unethical business tactics

Every shop in (b) is staffed by gangsters/ruffians/hooligans, and even the government agencies cannot handle them

I'll stick to Funan if I were you.

Just to make sure you understand how things work, there are 2 things you must know about Taxi Drivers. 1) They are thieving, lying bastards who can NEVER be trusted. 2). Re-read point number 1. In Singapore the taxis are heavily regulated, somewhat economical and can even produce a printed receipt instantly. In general they are more trustworthy than in other countries. However it is against their sworn duty to rip you off and many still try.

What do they do? They take somewhere between 2-3 hours to locate coins to give you change. In fact, they have never had to give change as all customers have had exact change for the last 20 years. Nope – you are the first and you are causing them problems. They have never made change before and must look all over the taxi for coins.

Wait. Coins? The smallest currency note is a $2 Singapore Dollar note. Why are they looking for coins? They are hoping that you will get frustrated and just say “keep the change”. I had a slothful, retard of a driver who was too lazy to even look at me. He had no interest in the 5 bags. He managed to get a 20% tip out of me on a small fare.

Unique Suggestions:
Ask yourself this question? Did he actually help you and your bags get in the car? Well, why should he be worthy of a tip and not the MRT? Wait it out and be handed all your change. Count it, your rings and fingers. Once you are certain all is accounted for decide if a tip is needed. It’s actually not really done here. Put you change in your pocket. Unless they were good, then 5% at most.

Fun Alternatives:
Take the MRT. Cheapest way to AND from the airport.

This theme park, which is at the corner of Yuan Ching Road and Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, recreates ancient Chang'an, or Xian, the capital of the Tang dynasty. This elaborate theme park, which is surrounded by 10-m high stone walls, provides an admirable attention to detail. There's a main street with shops, restaurants, temples, a court house and a geisha house, all done in the style of the Tang period.

Unique Suggestions: You can go for a Silk Road camel ride, or go for a buffet lunch where Chinese acrobats will perform. Alternatively, attend craft demonstrations or historical displays which feature such items as a reproduction of the famous terracota army in Xian, China. There's also a wax museum which features a talking statue of Mao and other figures from Chinese history.

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Chinese Garden, is a park in Jurong East, Singapore. The Chinese Garden’s concept is based on Chinese gardening art. The main characteristic is the integration of splendid architectural features with the natural environment. The Chinese Garden is modelled along the northern Chinese imperial style of architecture and landscaping.

Chinese Garden MRT Station.

Fun Alternatives: go to Haw Par Villa

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This is for anyone who intend to cross singapore-indonesia through Batam island.

We were not in hurry when we register at the counter desk of Berlian Ferry. We are still thinking about browsing around for some food in the Harbour Front center. When we approached the desk, the clock show 1.15pm. The next ferry will depart at 1.30. The lady at the counter give us the ticket for the 1.30pm departure to Batam. I asked her two times whether she gaves us the right ticket, because the departure is less than 15 minutes. She convinced us that we will be able to make it. At a second thought, we decide then follow her direction and buy food in Batam.

Then we queque. Then another officer check our passport and said that the departure gate is already closed and asks for us to report to the Ferry counter. So we did. But, the lady in the counter said that even another person who came after us had already cross the immigration ~~which is quite impossible, and totally not a significant reason~~ She insist that we had to pay for another 5 SGD for schedule change.

We asked to talk to the manager, and she ~~and another ladies there~~ said that there is no manager.

We did insist but then the lady refuse to negotiate nor help nor do anything to solve the problem and even says that we are crazy of such inquiry. At last we pay another 5SGD and go with the next schedule ferry.

While share the experience with some people in the Ferry and some other people we met in Batam, we learnt that many people experienced the same as we, from time to time. Sound like this is a common practice to trap customer to pay more.

There are several Ferry services connecting Singapore-Batam, but definitely I will not recommend this company's service to anyone, nor to use it myself in the future.

Unique Suggestions: Should you have to use the Berlian/wavemaster Ferry.
Be very very careful of time ahead should the counter-person give you a very-short-to-depart ticket.

Fun Alternatives: Use another Company's service.

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If you like shopping this is it, there are shopping malls dedicated to what ever your heart desires. You want clothes you got it an entire building with clothing shops, electronics the same, jewelry you name it its here and very reasonable prices.

Unique Suggestions: It may be a tourist trap but man its a great trap...