I visited Singapore in August 2002. Took the Express train from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. The train left late night and arrived early morning to Singapore after a brief stop for Immigration at Woodlands. Hotel: Stayed at the YMCA at Orchard Street. Nice rooms with free breakfast. Paid Singapore $75 for a room with two double beds. The hotel is in a very nice residential area just a mile to Orchard St and shopping. They have a free shuttle and in addition there is a local bus stop in front also.
Day One Morning: Reached YMCA at 8 AM. Had breakfast and then took the bus to Orchard St. Checked out all the stores and the big department stores. Very nice. But prices compareable to what it is in Los Angeles ( My home town). Further had lunch at one of the hawker underground center(Indian food) and it was pretty decent. Paid about $4 for lunch (North Indian food) Afternoon: Took the bus to Sentosa Islands. Beutiful views of the harbour If you take the cable cars. Stayed there till the end till about 10 PM I think. Saw the dancing fountains and fireworks. Then took the local bus back to Orchard St. Very cheap and also get to see streets of Singapore.
Day Two Morning: Went to Little India for shopping. Plenty of Indian Restaurants. Best place to shop is Mustaffa’s. THey have everything and so no need to go anywhere. They have hotel rooms, currency exchange, restaurant etc everything in one roof. Their rooms start around S$60. Electronics, Gold and Luggage is cheap here. No need to bargain. Most of the people who work are of Indian origin. In the evening just hung around till I caught the night train back to KL.
Note: If you are visiting Singapore as well as KL it is better to shop at KL. The prices are cheaper and it is Net (includes all taxes). You could apply to get back your Taxes in Singapore but it is a hassle (paper work). Shopping in KL is much cheaper since I am a shopoholic and know the prices. Further one US$ gives you more in Malaysian Ringgit than in Singapore $$$. In closing Singapore is a nice clean efficient city full of skyscrapers.
Nothing much other than this. If you are looking for natural beauty and culture then I would suggest Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. I am again travelling to Singapore, Malaysia and India in the next few days. I will put in my latest views