I had been to Singapore on Vacation during December 2004 for 3 days. It was a lovely trip via Doha and also Malaysia. We flew by Qatar Airways which has excellent Inflight Service.
We were to enter Singapore by bus from Malaysia. We crossed a long bridge and then finally into the Immigration Area which seemed like a huge Air Terminal with multiple lanes for Trucks, Buses, Trailers, etc. We got down from the bus with our luggage while the bus was checked and then a huge Plaza where our Security clearance and Immigration was done. Then we boarded our bus and were inside Singapore. Singapore has very clean roads and good traffic systems. As we neared our Hotel Rendezvous, Orchard Road, Singapore we could see various small compounds having factories of companies like TDK, Sony, .. As you move towards the inner parts of Singapore there are zones where when your vehicle enters you get automatically billed a certain amount like paying a toll tax. An overhead system reads your Number plate and bills it to you.
We did lot of sight-seeing in Singapore.
Places to see are :
Singapore Harbour (where there is the statue of MerLion Half Lion/Half Fish)
Chinese Junk Boat Cruise (around Singapore Harbour at dusk)
Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island - Dolphin Show
Sentosa Island - UnderWater Park
Sentosa Island - Fountains with Laser Show
Sentosa Island - Japanese War Museum/History Museum
Jurong Bird Park
SunTec City shopping areas (for Electronics)
Chinese Jewellery Factory Outlet
Little India
Mustafa Shopping Center
China Town
Plaza Singapura, Orchard Road (Mall)
We were first taken to Chinese Jewellery Outlet where there were a variety of Jewellery with various Gems. Then we were taken around many huge shopping malls, Sun Tec City. We had lunch in a typical Indian restaurant. Then we went to Singapore Harbour and boarded the Chinese Junk boat for a Cruise with hindi music and food. We were all enjoying dancing and singing into the evening while you could see the spectacular Singapore Harbour with High-Rises like HSBC/Singtel Buildings. After that we had dinner in a traditional Wooden Bridge restaurant over the sea waters near the harbour where you could see the bustling city at night and enjoy a nice dinner.
Next day we went to Sentosa Island by cable Car from Singapore Harbour. It is a 1-1/2 hr ride over the sea to Sentosa Island. there we boarded a mini train that took us around the island finally to the Sentosa beach. Here we saw the Dolphin show, saw the History /War museum and learned about the history of Singapore, the war between Japanese and British for Singapore, etc. The Museum also explains about the various cultures in Singapore like: Chinese, Indian, Malay, English. Then we went to see the dolphin show which was very nice. After that we attended the fountain show with lights/laser images displayed on the water-fountain. The show ended with a laser beam streaking out from the merlion’s mouth. Then we went shopping. My favourite is Plaza Singapura, Orchard Road.
We also visited the Jurong Bird park which has all species of birds, animals. We also saw the Bird Show. After that we had lunch in the Bird Park’s Glass Restaurant set in the backdrop of the Lake and Forest. The Park is very nice with a Japanese wooden bridge with Red salmon in crystal clear waters below. There is also a water fall somewhere there.
Then Next day we went around shopping individually. So I took a taxi to Mustafa Shopping Center and did lot of Window shopping. That day was 31 dec 2004. So in the evening we had time to stroll around till mid-night and see the revelry around Orchard Road.
There are many Shopping Malls in Orchard Road Area including a Ferrari show room right outside our Hotel. From a distance one could see the fire works at Sentosa and partying in all top-floors of High-Rise Buildings. At Mid-Night all the Pedestrian crossing Signals started ringing and flashing ’’Happy New Year - 2004’’. I was awake till 2:00 AM and got up at 4:00 AM to leave for the Changi International Airport. After an hour we reached the airport and then got ready to fly back via Doha.
In the waiting lounge of the Airport you have many facilities like free surfing, Xbox gaming consoles. I played a game or two with my counterparts on the Xbox. The lounge is facing the area where the aircrafts are parked. Then we boarded our flight which was almost empty. So I made myself comfortable on the last seat and was half asleep as the plane took off from one of two parallel runways. After take off you could see the beautiful island so nicely planned and maintained. So I had to say goodbye to Singapore and may be I will come back to Singapore some day to do more shopping/sight-seeing.