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CREST and FLAG |
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National Day August 9
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CURRENCY |
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Currency
Singapore Dollar |
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Currency Converter |
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VISA |
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Most travelers don't
need a visa. Check with the nearest Singapore Embassy or Immigration.
Don't forget to check what the immigration officer stamps in your
passport |
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DRUGS |
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Drug trafficking in Singapore
carries a mandatory death sentence. |
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DID-INTERNET-GMT |
DID 001/008/012/013/018/
019
(depending operator and service)
Country Code (65 )
Internet (
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GMT +6 |
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ELECTRICITY |
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240 V 50 HZ |
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HOTELS |
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 .sg |
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Skyline taken from the 70th story in the Raffles The Plaza hotel |
More on Singapore
by (Encyclopedia.com)
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FACTS &
DATA |
State:
Republic
Head of State:
President,
Prime Minister:
Currency: Singapore Dollar
Location:
Island south of the
Malaysian peninsular
Area:693 sq. km
Capital:
Singapore
Population: 4.4 m
People:
Chinese (76%), Malay (15%),
Indian
(6%), Other (3%)
Language: Chinese, Malayu, Tamil, English
Religion:
Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Christian
GDP:
US$105 billion
GNP per capita:
US$ 24,600
Annual growth:
1,1
Inflation:
1.5%
Major industries: High-Tech, Electronics
Major trading partners: USA, EU, Japan, ASEAN
Health risks:
Good healthcare
Time: GMT +8
Weights & measures:
Metric
Road traffic:
Left side
Public transport:
Very good
Electricity: 220-240V
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NEWSPAPERS |
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English |
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The New Paper |
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The Business Times |
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The Straight Times |
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Tamil |
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Tamil Murasu |
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Malay |
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Berita Harian |
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Chinese |
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Lian He Zao Bao |
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Boatkey, bars, pubs and restaurants |
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TV &
RADIO |
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English |
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MEDIACORP RADIO |
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Mandarin |
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Malay |
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MEDIACORP TV |
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NEWS |
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EDUCATION |
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UNIVERSITIES |
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Nanyang Polytechnic |
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Ngee Ann Polytechnic |
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National University of Singapore |
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Singapore Polytechnic |
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Temasek Polytechnic |
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Singapore Management University |
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DIPLOMAS |
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Asia Pacific Management Center |
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Singapore Institute of Management |
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Tyndale Education Group |
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Logistic Institute Asia Pacific |
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HOTEL |
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Shatec |
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TOURISM |
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Tourism Management Institute of Singapore |
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ONLINE STUDIES |
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IT Studies |
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Altron |
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INFORMATICS Group Singapore |
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MentorTech |
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Sybase |
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EDUCATION CENTERS |
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Alliance Francaise |
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British Council |
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Goethe Institut |
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Ambulance 995
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Fire 995
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Police 999 |
AID's hotline 6295 1153 |
Anti family violence 6325
4289 | Centre for women & girls 6745 3969 | Flight Information 1800 -542
4422 | HDB 6273 9090 Immigration 6391 6100 | IRAS 6356 8233 |
Singapore Anti Narcotics 1800-732 4444
| Postal service 1605 | Taxi Comfort
6552 1111, City Cab 6552 2222, SMRT 6555 8888 | Telephone local dir. 100, int'l dir. 104 | YMCA
6744 0258 | YWCA 6235 8822 |
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Although Singapore is a young Nation it has quite a cultural and ethnic history. Founded by Sir Stamford Raffles
in 1819 as a trading post for the British East India Company it soon
flourished to become a very important trading center and harbor within the
British Empire. 1963 it became a part of the Malayan Confederation and got
it's own independence in 1965. Lee Kuan Yew is the father of the modern
Singapore. (Lee Kuan Yew's biography). The Republic of Singapore is still a member of the British Commonwealth. Singapore consists of the
four races Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian. This reflects as well in the various religions Buddhism, Moslem, Hinduism,
Christianity and their cultures. Chinatown is close to the banking district, not far away is little India and the Malay Community at the East Coast are worth a visit as they are among the "older" parts of the city. |
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Singapore carries the reputation for it's concrete city and being worth a 2-3 days shopping spree only. However there are quite a few thinks to do which easily will keep you occupied and even fascinated. You can go free and easy, totally on your own with a map in your hand as most places to see are pretty much concentrated to the greater city area. |
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Another option is to take the Singapore Hop-on bus which takes you to most places worth to see. Get their map. Prices vary from free to S$
3 to 6.00 for a day pass depending on your travel arrangements. |
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For the evening entertainment and fun check our Singapore by Night page. |
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A guided coach tour takes you to most places of interest. China Town, Little India and Temples. |
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Orchard Road is surely the shopping paradise. You find almost everything in fashion, accessories, Jewellery, watches and even snick snack. |
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As small Singapore might seem
in size, it features and impressive number of
parks. The most famous one
Botanic Garden has a very impressive flora and probably one of the largest collections of orchids
in the world.. |
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Jurong Bird Park features over 600 different species with a population of over 8000 birds. You can enjoy a dinner and having fun with some of the inhabitants. |
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The Singapore Zoo is one of the most beautiful in the world in a very natural setting almost like created by nature. Over 200 different species and close to 3000 animals are here at home. A popular feature is the breakfast or high tea together with the Orang Utans. |
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Night Safari which is pretty unique gives you the possibility to see a wide range of animals in their night activities. |
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Try a Chinese Junk Cruise, it's fun. You'll see Singapore's skyline by night inclusive of a dinner buffet. |
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The Cable Car takes you to the Island of Sentosa with a nice view of the harbour. |
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Go to Singapore Discovery Center
which offers fun for the whole family. |
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Clarke Quay is a different type shopping compared to the Department stores and has plenty of food and pub/bar outlets. Boat Key across the river offers bars and al fresco dining. |
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If you got a little bit more time you can make some daytrips or an overnight stop to Johor Bahru (it's just across the border) |
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There are various
bustours which takes you to Malaysia going to Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, tea plantations in Cameron Highlands and Penang. You will sea rubber and palm oil plantations, lush tropical jungles, tin mines, caves and mosques. The tour will end in Penang in your planned hotel. |
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You can also go by boat to Batam or Bintan in Indonesia. If you like diving, island living and got a weekend free try Pulau Sibu and their Sibu Resort. |
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Tioman Island outside the East Coast of Malaysia is a popular holiday and diving destination. You can reach it by a 5 hours ferry ride or in 35 minutes by plane. |
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Singapore has developed a
cruise center which offers sailings from 2 days and more to a range of South East Asian destinations. |
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Singapore is very clean and hygienic. Eating outside the hotels and major restaurants can be a great experience. Suddenly you realize that the Chinese food back home, isn't so Chinese after all!!! The hotels and restaurant sell a wide range of western food as well. There
are some interesting so called "fusion" restaurants which offer a
blend of East meets West. Singapore has a very exiting own
cuisine. |
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Due to the three main
races Chinese, Indian and Malays, you won't only find the mainstream
kitchen of their respective origin, but a blend or "fusion" in respect to
flavors, spices and herbs. Favorite eating outlets are the food stalls,
operated by individuals or families selling food based on grandmothers
recipes. It's a type home cooked food. You have one in the neighborhood of
your hotel.Try it !!!!!!!!!!! A common way to great each other is "have you eaten yet". Food is almost a religion. So let's "makan", a malay word for eating.Some favorite local dishes are:
Roti Prata, a fluffy Indian bread served with curries and lentils.Nasi Lemak, a Malay coconut rice served with omelette, anchovies, cucumber, chili paste, chicken
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Laksa, rice noodles served in a spicy
,, coconut curry soup with egg, shrimps and chicken.
Hainanese chicken rice, (it's origin is the island of Hainan) steamed chicken with rice and a bowl of chicken broth. Char Kuy Teow, broad rice or egg noodles fried with soya, fish cake, Chinese sausages (pork), clam and bean sprouts. Satay, by now world famous. Chicken, beef, lamb and pork skewers served with a peanut sauce, rice cake, cucumber and raw red onions.
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If you feel a little
hungry you have a range of small snacks. The most famous ones are the
curry puffs filled with almost anything like vegetables. potatoes,
chicken, beef, egg. They come in different shapes AND plenty of
calories. |
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Curry
Puff |
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Singapore has its own beer called TIGER and of course the famous Singapore Sling. You should as well try the various fruit juices and "teh tarek", it's tea, taste good and it's fun to watch when they make it. Lassi is an Indian yoghourt drink with sugar or fruit flavors. If you are a tea lover, you probably find them all in Singapore. |
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At first glance Singapore seems to have the normal pub, bar and disco scenery. At second glance you find all that other night stuff like in other Asian cities. The difference is, that it's less predominant and "smaller". Massage parlors are popular among the locals.
The night scene is changing slowly as the government is liberalizing opening
hours. You will find bars open until 6 am.. Bar top dancing is the latest addition to the pub action in town. |
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Skyline |
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SHOPPING
CENTERS |
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Colorful rooftops of
shop houses |
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Singapore
has a Chinatown! |
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FINE COUNTRY |
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Singapore has a nick name
Fine Country. Why? There are so many fines for a large number of things you
should not do or you should.
You get fined....
....if you smoke at
bus stops, taxi stands, McDonald's and other restaurants
....if you litter
...if you don't flush the
toilet | |
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You have to fasten your
seatbelts when seated in the front or back of a car or you get fined!!!!!!!!
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Night skyline |
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Need HELP with those Abbreviations |
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AYE
Ayer Rajah Expressway, BKE Bukit Timah Expressway, CASE Consumer Association of Singapore,
CTE
Central Expressway, ECP East Coast Parkway, ERP Electronic Road Pricing, KJE Kranji Expressway, LAH Expression at the end of each sentence, LRT Light Rail Transit,
MRT Mass Rapid Transit, NETS Network for Electronic Transfers in Singapore, NO First word in every answer (Q: What time is it lah? A: No, 8.45.), NS national service (man),
PIE
Pan Island Expressway, SLE Seletar Expressway, SPG Sarong Party Girls (or Singapore Party Girl) |
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Sultan Mosque |
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WHAT's
SINGLISH |
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Singlish is the local dialect of the English language. Singaporeans have a sense of being lazy when talking and try to make abbreviations of the English language and add some local expressions like lah, no, izzit, aiyoh, alamak. Most of these "sounds" do not have any meaning. Lah comes at the end, no comes in the beginning, izzit = is it, aiyoh and alamak are a kind of exclamation. Lately you will find a government initiated drive to speak proper English, so foreigners can understand them. Gosh, it's more needed in places like Scotland, Ireland, Texas and Australia.
If you need help visit
Singlish Dictionary. |
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Typical Indian store |
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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2007 |
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jAN 1 New Years Day |
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JAN 2 Hari Raya Haji |
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FEB 18-19 Chinese New Year, off 19-20 |
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APR 6 God Friday |
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MAY 1 Labour Day |
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MAY 31 Vesak Day |
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AUG 9 National Day |
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OCT 13 Hari Raya Puasa |
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NOV 8 Deepavali |
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DEC 20 Hari Raya Haji |
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DEC 25 Christmas Day |
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* Following working day will be public holiday |
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The
famous green Orchard Road |
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