Suggested Itinerary - SENTOSA!

Suggested Itineraries - On the Island

Super $Savers$

I was watching a past television series in Singapore named “King of Thrift Goes Overseas” where they teaches Singaporeans how to save money when they are travelling oversea. I got curious and decided to research on how tourist can save money in Singapore. (This is a local Production)

**I have tried some of them myself. Those that do not need a overseas passports one of course, as I don’t have one.

First, you can buy the Singapore tours and attraction pass. As mentioned in the post Take A Little Trip Around Singapore town, the buying of the Singapore Pass entitles you to to enjoy the Duck tours, Singapore flyer once each. It also, entitles you unlimited trips on the 13 gated tour and attractions (hippo tours and even various museums) within 2 days when bought. You can enjoy all these with S$63 (adults), S$32(Children), S$2 (Toddlers) - saving about than 70%.

I recommend you to go for it only if you plan to go for the tours (Hippo and Duck and the Singapore Flyer). Going for all these is enough for you to cover the cost.
                                                       Click here for more information.

If you plan to take public transport (Mass Rapid Transport (MRT), Buses, or LRT) you may want to buy the Singapore Tourist Pass. This pass allows you to enjoy unlimited use of the public transport in Singapore at a price of S$8 per day. You can buy it at any Mass Rapid Transport Ticketing Counter or the Singapore Visitor Centre located at Changi Airport and areas like Orchard Road.

I recommend that you buy it only if you take the public buses more than 8 times or the MRT 5 times. If you do so more than my recommended frequency, you would have saved quite a bit. (If you take buses 15 times that day you would have saved about S$7)

Click here for more information .
** The website gives you itinerates where you can travel Singapore through public transport. You may want to use it as a reference.

For shopping promotions or discount vouchers, you may want to collect some brochures from the Visitor Centre located at the Airport or even at areas in the cities. These Brochures will allow gives you the tourist benefits where you will be able to get special discounts planned specially for you. All you have to take note is that you will have to show your passport upon purchase.

I Highly Recommend the one Named " Singapore Attraction Guide" and the one for "Dempsey Hill"

As mentioned in our previous post, you may want to collect you tax rebate at the airport. But, remember to collect the needed forms from the tax rebate counters at the shopping areas. You may want to in detail in here. (Please Scroll all the way to the bottom).

f you are going to bugis street or Mustafa Centre, there is a skill that you have to aquire before you go there. Bargaining! I managed to save $8 on the pair of pants at bugis street by bargaining. I feel that it is more than about saving money, but also the fun of it. Enjoy the culture of bargaining here too. However, ensure that the shops do not have the sign “Fixed price”. Such shops do not allow bargaining (But there is not much shops that do that, don’t worry)

You may also want to check the internet for promotions for various brands in Singapore. You may even participare in events like the Great Singapore Sale (From July) or the late night shopping (click here) These will have you save quite a large amount if you plan to spend on luxury items.


If you are planning to buy food for the next day, especially if you are going to islands like St. John’s island or going to farms, you may want to buy them after 9.30pm, when the shops are about the close. Breadtalk sells their bread ar $1 each after that time and supermarkets selling fresh foodstuff (Japanese food or roasted chicken) may even be selling at a discount of 40% – 60%.

These are ways that you may enjoy and have fun while still saving money. Hope you have fun too.

The Dark Hours - Excitement and Shopping

One of the highlight at Clark Quay includes G-max, which operates only in 6 counties in the world. It reaches 60 meters in the air, speeds of up to 200kph and G force 5. Just sitting on it (Without it even moving), I was shaking like mad. It was so nervous. When it starts, it springs up; I felt as if I was an astronaut and held my breath. I felt as it I was flying. Imagine flying up unstable and turning back and forth. It felt so good! It will definitely be a long lasting experience and if you seek trill and excitement, this is for you!


Location: Along side the Singapore River, next to the Coleman Bridge.

NIGHT Shopping

Bugis Street and Orchard Road are one of the few central districts for shopping. You can find stuff from bargain prices to luxury items.

 

If you have read our post titled Shopaholic’s cravings, you would have found Bugis Street familiar. This shopping street transforms into a totally different shopping rhythm. You may want to try to go at about 9pm to get the best deals as there it is usually easier to bargain at that point in time. The promotions also apply to the food stalls where the drinks are usually sold at 2 for $1. I tried bargaining and I got 3 cups of coconut juice for $1 (I bought it when the stall is about to close its shuttle).

After shopping at that bugis, you may want to have some dessert at Ah Chew dessert store located opposite intercontinental hotel. If you are not sure how to get there, you may want to ask the concierge at the hotel. They will be glad to help you.

Orchard Road

Orchard Road changes to a different beat at night. It was and still is the main center for nightlife, showcasing bars, discos, and nightclubs to please all who visit this place. Orchard road is no less than those malls in Hong Kong.

Incidently, if you are in singapore on the on a saturday night, you will be treated to a pampering experience that you will never forget - Late Night Shopping! The late night shopping opened from 7pm to 11pm. The shopping malls that are participating includes Wisma, Paragon and many others along the belt of orchard road.

The shopping experience will surely be different as the atmosphere is more hyped up during this late night shopping fever. If you do not want to shop, it is still great for you to experience the unique experience here.

If you seek for discounts and value for money product or food, you have come to the right place. The late night shopping not only brings about the atmosphere, but also, promotions and discounts.

For shopping promotions, click here

If you want to buy inexpensive food for the next morning, you may want to do so at 1030 at various bread stores or supermarkets selling Japanese food. These food items will be sold at a promotion price which will be a lot lower that its original price. VALUE FOR MONEY!

Still energetic after 11pm? Head down to Mustafa centre, the 24 hours shopping mall. This shopping mall is located in the heart of little India and you can find anything you want here. It not only sells Indian cultural product, but also gold, sportswear, fashion accessories etc. all at bargained prices. Please try not to bring bulky items to the mall as it will not be allowed due to security reason. We suggest that you leave your shopping back at your accommodation before proceeding here.

Please note that urls (credits) of images from the wb has been photoshoped to the pictures

The Dark Hours - Up the hill

This place is one of my favorite haunt especially the Ben and Jerry Ice-Cream Store. With a sudden craving for the delicious ice-cream, I decided to go all the way up dempsey hill for it.

As I am driving through the small night life village, I notice many other restaurants and shops that I have never taken note for the past few times I was here. Maybe I was too focused toward the ice-cream that I was looking forward for.

Since I found all these interesting new “it-may-be-my-next” haunts, I decided to buy a hand held ice-cream and eat it while exploring the night-life kingdom.

While walking around the places I found a place where I think is a great haunt for friends to gather or a relaxing time at night – Jones The Grocer This place sells many western goods, including groceries and alcoholic beverage. Not only can you buy those goods, you can also have glasses of quality red wine. I had a cup it was great. I am not a sommelier but I feel that this wine is gentle on the stomach (I have a weak stomach) and is very smooth through the throat.

After having a relaxing drink in, indulging in the quiet and warm atmosphere, I started exploring other places of the area.

After drinking and shopping I felt a little hungry. There are lots of eateries around, from Jumbo Seafood all the way to Dome pie. Since there was not many of us and we do not want to have such a heavy meal, we settled for Dome Pie. I have had the pie of the same brand before located at Far East plaza. The Pastry is crispy but fluffy, the chicken filling is tender and the sweetness of vegetable is well blended. The most important ingredient would be the egg. It bends well with the whole pie and shoots the flavor to the highest grade.

I was finally contented but if you are interested, let me share with you some places that I feel are still worth your visit:

Harry's

Jumbo Seafood

My mother once mentioned that this is a very very good high end fine dining western restaurant.

If you have the time and you don't mind spending money on it, you should go for it.

Before you leave the place, do not forget to have a taste the king of fruit. The stall can be found at the bottom of the hill. You will pass by it when you leave the area. This stall is very famous for the best durians and my parents even request for me to buy it before I leave the place.

 
 
 
 
Since I love it, I'm sure you will.

The Dark Hours - A Very James-ie Day

St James Power Station is famous for the many events that they host for many occations, from Singer’s meet the fans night, to even charity concert. Incidentally, I went to St. James for a charity concert hosted by Music Clinic, a singing school in Singapore.

As I reach the place before night, I rolled my eyes. The place wasn’t as cool as I thought it would be, it looks like a factory or some powerplant. Maybe that is why they call it St. James POWER STATION. Any, as I walk into the place, I understood the saying perfectly. NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. It was shocking. There were food eateries of different cuisine everywhere. As you might have realized from the previous post, I go soft with food. There was American food, Korean food and Chinese food. WOW! But I was suffering when I was walking past them. I have not had my dinner!

** After my visit, my friend told me that these restaurants serve perfect food and it is usually full during meal times

I have an advice for all of you. Check the place you want to get in before you try going in. There are many clubs and pubs. So if you are meeting your friend in one of it, make sure you don’t go to the wrong one. Anyway, u can get in all right as a one time enterance fee will allow enterance to almost all the clubs there.

My destination was right beside Dragonfly (Which I apparently went into mistakenly) – St. James Power House. The event I am going for is called vivace, an annual charity concert. I highly recommend you to get to the place early as with or without event, you will have to queue a long time if you go there late.

I step into the power house and I was High high high. There was music, the atmosphere was WOW. There was ample space for movement and the chairs were comfortable. I was surprised by the brilliant service by the server as I have always have an impression of servers at bars to be rude. But they were very polite and introduced to be drinks within my budget.

Listening to the music, I looked up into the ceiling. IT was so well decorated. The walls were painted in a way that it feels like a street. There was one problem. This place I not that camera friendly for a person like me who loves taking photos. Its dark, but it seems rude to put on flash. So, if only it was a little brighter.

After the whole event, we were greeted goodbye by the pleasant servers. I feel really happy and jumped all the way out. As I was crossing the bridge to leave the place, I turn back and look. St. James Power Station Looked fabulous and very different from daylight. From a factory, it transformed to the hippest place in the area.

After all the partying, I felt very hungry. So, I decided to drag my friend along to my favorite haunt, LAU PA SAT. It is the place for anyone who needs food from Breakfast to supper.

If you have read our other post, you would have remembered me introducing you some Singaporean local dishes. Let me give you a tip, if you do not want to go all around Singapore in search of the recommended stalls, you can find all of them here.

I ordered laksa and drank it all up. (Literally as it was so smooth) Still feeling a little perky, I continue walking into the special dining area. Street dining! It is an area where the road is block to make way for food stalls and table and chair. I had satay there and it totally blew my head off.

With all the fun and food, who wouldn’t be contented? But just one thing – there is not enough time. I want to go late night shopping (but I am not allowed to stay out). Well, since I cannot share with you here. You can take a look at what it is about in the post here.

The Dark Hours - Clubbing Recommendations

Once the sun set, Singapore transforms itself from the buzzing city into a peaceful yet never sleep city. There lots of things that you could do should you feel like hunting for some fun at night.

Clubbing Boat Quay and Clarke Quay is favorite hangout for yuppies, both locals and expats, after work. Many of the pubs and clubs have no cover charges, so you can hop from one to another all night long. It is located by the Singapore River bank so make sure you don’t fall in from too many drink though! For you smokers you need to know that smoking is banned in all bars but you will find more and more places with approved smoking room. Here are some of the pubs and clubs which I would like you to try.

Renowned for its live jazz acts, Harry’s @ Boat Quay is the first flagship venue. It also provides different catering services. My friend held her birthday party at Harry’s last year, I can assure you that we had a blast of time, and were very satisfied with their services.

Location: 28 Boat Quay, Singapore 049818

Just like its name, the bar's Oriental chill-out atmosphere is enhanced by lush bamboo surroundings in an absolute relaxing atmosphere. Some of the signature drinks are The Butterfly Effect, The Terracotta and The Frosted Jade. If you are looking for something different than the usual bar, Bamboo will let you escape from the city atmosphere and back to nature.

Location: The Forbidden City, Clarke Quay 3A

Inspired by the worldwide Beatles hit, the Yellow Submarine, this quaint retro bar located just beside the Clarke Quay taxi-stand at The Cannery. I like the sound of this place, don’t you feel curious about the place just by hearing its name???

Location: Block 3C The Cannery, River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-06

Home to Singapore’s most talented DJs and the perfect setting for sets by internationally well-known DJs, ZIRCA is set to push the boundaries of a modern-day dance club. This is pub which I would say you will make dance all night.

Location: Block C, #01-02 to 05 & #02-01 to 08, The Cannery, Clarke Quay

Mulligan’s is a resemblance of the traditional Victorian-era pub. This is where you get your authentic Irish culture fix, with the original Mulligan’s. As a Victorian lover myself, I love this place.

Location: Block 3C, #01-02a, The Cannery, Clarke Quay