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Trip Tips: Singapore woos high-fliers, history buffs, foodies | Reuters http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/02/07/travel-singapore-idINDEEA160...

1 of 7 2/7/2014 6:27 PM

BY RYAN WOO

SINGAPORE Fri Feb 7, 2014 7:55am IST

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Trip Tips: Singapore woos high-fliers,history buffs, foodies

(Reuters) - Singapore was once famous for three things: The

banning of chewing gum, mandatory flushing of public toilets and

the caning of American youth Michael Fay for car vandalism in

1994.

It has since shed some of its inhibitions as Asia's city of "thou

shalt nots" diversifies away from an economy heavy on

manufacturing and banking.

While Monaco or Barcelona it is not, tropical Singapore is now

known as a top-class casino-gambling destination, the venue for

the world's first Formula One night race and the bachelor

playground of Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin.

Clean and safe, the prosperous city-state is also a magnet for

high-end shoppers and one of the most diverse food capitals in

the world. (Map: goo.gl/maps/54Glo)

Here are tips for getting the most out of a trip to Singapore from

Reuters, whose 2,600 journalists in all parts of the world offer

visitors the best local insights.

Singapore, whose name means Lion City in Sanskrit, was colonised by the British in the

early 19th century. Before that, it was inhabited by no more than a thousand people.

The preceding centuries are shrouded in myth and legend, with Chinese travellers and

Javanese chroniclers alluding to a lair for pirates and the sighting of a majestic lion.

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2 of 7 2/7/2014 6:27 PM

The last 100 years marked an era of deep change as the British empire unravelled,

post-colonial Singapore was expelled from the Malaysia federation and the tiny island

suddenly became a self-governing state with a tenuous future.

The little red dot, as Singapore is fondly known among locals, has since overcome its

smallness and lack of resources to become an economic powerhouse - an evolution that

critics say has led to soul-sapping materialism, political apathy and intellectual

homogeneity.

HISTORY, CULTURE & NATURE

History buffs and travellers with relatives who were part of the Allied forces are often drawn

to the World War Two sites around the island.

A good place to start is the tranquil Changi Museum, which documents the lives of prisoners

of war during the Japanese occupation. Then make your way south to Fort Siloso on Sentosa

island, before taking a short train ride to the stark but stately Kranji War Memorial.

The Asian Civilisations Museum at 1 Empress Place showcases culture and history from

around the region. Current exhibits include relics from China's Tang dynasty and Batak

sculpture from Sumatra. (www.acm.org.sg)

People intrigued by the colourful, energetic culture of Chinese traders who settled in

Malacca, Penang and Singapore centuries ago will have a rewarding time at the intimate

Peranakan Museum at 39 Armenian Street. (www.peranakanmuseum.org.sg)

For tourists game for a spectacle, join the male devotees celebrating the fire-walking festival

at the Sri Mariamman Temple each October. The Hindu temple, Singapore's oldest, is in the

most unlikely of places - Chinatown.

Visit the Sultan Mosque in the Kampong Glam enclave near the city centre to bask in the

glory of the Malay aristocracy of old. Then retire to nearby Arab Street for a drink at Blu Jaz

as you marvel at the boho patrons and their shisha pipes.

Outdoorsy types can explore the 200-acre (81-hectare) Bukit Brown cemetery off Lornie

Road in central Singapore. Named after a 19th century English trader, the final resting place

for thousands of pioneering Chinese immigrants has sparked a rare national debate on

conservation versus development.

Other scenic spots include the 155-year-old Botanic Gardens, the jungle trails at MacRitchie

Reservoir (mind the long-tailed macaques!) and East Coast Park's 15 km (9 miles) of seaside

biking and walking paths. (www.nparks.gov.sg)

See a play or live music at Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay, which has a year-round calendar

of cultural events, including hands-on workshops for kids. Dozens of restaurants and food

stalls line the complex. (www.esplanade.com)

Listings of shows, concerts and other events can be found at www.timeoutsingapore.com,

www.is.asia-city.com and the Tourism Board's website www.yoursingapore.com.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

Singapore prides itself on being a food haven, and for good reason.

A morning excursion to Tiong Bahru market, in the heart of Singapore's oldest public

housing estate, is a must-do. Admire the area's art deco charm as you sink your teeth into

crispy, thin toast covered with kaya - a jam made from coconut milk, eggs and pandan leaf -

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and sip coffee in quaint porcelain cups.

For lunch, savour a plate of chicken rice, one of Singapore's iconic offerings, at Boon Tong

Kee at 425 River Valley Road.

Or try some laksa - a coconut-based curry with rice noodles, shrimp and fish cake. Foodies

quarrel endlessly over that perfect bowl of laksa but a good version can be had at 328

Katong Laksa at 51 East Coast Road in the Tanjong Katong area.

Dinner would be a toss-up between chilli crab, the third iconic dish, and Peranakan cuisine,

a happy outcome of Chinese, Malay and Indian influences.

A favourite chilli crab destination is Red House Seafood at the East Coast Seafood Centre.

It's best enjoyed with beer and boisterous company. On a different night, sample Peranakan

duck soup, honey pork and spicy beef at Ivin's at 19 Binjai Park.

Brunch and tea? You can have your eggs Benedict or Florentine, plus quiche, burgers and

towering portions of cake at PS Cafe at 28B Harding Road. Popular on weekends, the cafe

boasts a lovely outdoor sitting area with a leafy backdrop.

Those craving dim sum will find fulfilment at Lei Garden Restaurant at Chijmes - a

collection of eateries, bars and boutiques in a historic former convent at 30 Victoria Street.

Challenge your palate with frog legs a la Kung Pao chicken at Lion City Frog Porridge at 235

Geylang Road (Lorong 9). If you are keen to try the king of fruits, the pungent and fleshy

durian can be savoured at many street stalls in Geylang.

Beyond Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisine, Singapore offers everything from boeuf

bourguignon to Vietnamese springrolls.

Within walking distance of Esplanade is Morton's The Steakhouse on the fourth storey of

the Mandarin Oriental, a fail-safe but pricey option. A good alternative is L'Entrecôte at 36

Duxton Hill in the historic district of Tanjong Pagar.

At Marina Bay Sands, Pizzeria Mozza offers an extensive menu and a team of star chefs.

For hearty French fare, there's Le Bistrot du Sommelier at 53 Armenian Street near the

Peranakan Museum. Diners with deeper wallets will take to Joël Robuchon Restaurant at

Resorts World Sentosa.

For Italian fare, Basilico at The Regent has a terrific lunch buffet, OTTO Ristorante at 28

Maxwell Road is a chic venue and nearby Capricci at 27 Tanjong Pagar Road has a more

casual vibe.

For authentic ramen, try Keisuke Tokyo at Parco Millenia. Sushi lovers flock to Shinji by

Kanesaka at Raffles Hotel. A less expensive but equally elegant venue is Aoki at Shaw Centre

in the Orchard Road shopping district.

NIGHTLIFE

Let's start at the top.

The 1-Altitude Gallery & Bar, which claims to be the world's highest al fresco bar,

commands a 360-degree view of the business district and Marina Bay.

On the 63rd floor of One Raffles Place, the bar competes for high-elevation revellers with

nearby KU DE TA on the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands Skypark across the bay.



4 of 7 2/7/2014 6:27 PM

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Pangaea, also at Marina Bay Sands, is frequented by the well-heeled and conspicuously rich.

Even if you don't have thousands of dollars to blow on luxury cognacs, it's still a worthy

diversion with its self-conscious glamour and African Safari theme.

Equally bold but more European is Attica at River Valley Road in the Clarke Quay area. No

business suits please.

For those looking to hit the bottle at double-quick time, Tantric Bar at 78 Neil Road in

Tanjong Pagar is your port of call. Lounge about in the green-lit courtyard as you down

double shots with no extra charge for the second. It's LGBT-friendly too.

Or chill out at Vida Vino at 29 Keong Saik Road. In a part of Chinatown known as a red-light

district in the 1960s, the bar has a great tapas menu and laid-back Mediterranean feel.

Revellers and the thirsty can also explore numerous drinking holes at nearby Duxton Hill

and Club Street.

Catering to a visibly younger crowd is Home Club at Upper Circular Road in the Boat Quay

area. It's almost like a noisy dormitory but in a good, fun way.

For beer under the starry sky, head to Brewerkz, a microbrewery at Riverside Point in the

Clarke Quay area.

For whisky, it's the Auld Alliance at the RendezVous Hotel Gallery. Martini Bar at the Grand

Hyatt on Scotts Road offers 30 varieties of that cocktail and more in a chic space.

OTHER OPTIONS

Shopping along Singapore's famous Orchard Road can be daunting due to the thick crowds

and sheer number of shops. But die-hard fashionistas can start at the ION Orchard mall at

the western end of the retail boulevard and work their way down for as long as their stamina

and bank balances allow.

For a more relaxed time, slip out for an early morning walk around Marina Bay. Do your

warm-ups at the Formula One pit stop - where else? Stroll on to Marina Bay Sands via the

glass-and-steel Helix Bridge before throwing in the towel at the Merlion Park waterfront at

One Fullerton.

The Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo is no doubt a top attraction, with more than 1 million

visitors a year. It is also the world's first nocturnal zoo where open-air enclosures and

careful lighting create the illusion that nothing stands between you and that Indian

rhinoceros. (www.zoo.com.sg)

Those looking to try their luck at a casino can head to Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World

Sentosa. Beyond gambling, eating and shopping, the two resorts offer a variety of shows and

concerts. (www.marinabaysands.com) (www.rwsentosa.com)

(Editing by John O'Callaghan)



5 of 7 2/7/2014 6:27 PM

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