Advice for trip to Singapore

[Super_Barry11]

I am flying to Singapore this Thursday to visit a friend and was wondering if anyone here has any suggestions for things to do and see there. This weekend, we'll be heading to Bintan in Indonesia, then going back to Singapore for the week (so he can work- boo to his bosses for not letting him have the week off!), then heading to Phuket in Thailand next weekend. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be very grateful!

Also, this is my first trip outside the United States, so if anyone has any friendly travel advice, I would appreciate that as well. Thanks!!!

[cincinnati chili]

I suggest bringing lots and lots of spray paint.

[oneupper]

Singapore is a place I haven't been to. My wife was there quite a few years ago and loved it.

Although you probably knew this, Singapore has a very strict criminal code.
You can go to jail for: failing to flush pulbic toilets, littering, jaywalking, possession of pornography, chewing gum and bungee jumping, for example.
Cigarrettes are illegal and you can't enter the country with them.

Since this is your first trip outside of the US: keep your eyes and mind open and your passport and wallet safe.

Phuket is currently in a "hot spot" as recent protests closed down the airport and stranded many tourists.
I'd say you're in luck. These kind of rebellions hardly last long, but are enough to scare lots of people away. By the time you get there, you'll probably have the place to yourselves.

[Highlifeman21]

Suggestion: it won't matter, b/c that experiment they're doing in Europe will end the World, remember?

[Betterread]

Singapore is a great city. Very clean, very modern. It is a great way to experience Malaysian culture through a Chinese/ British prism. Lots of Brits live and work there. There's many things to do, you can't go wrong. Bring plenty of money, there are many pretty things to buy that you won't find in the west. Not the same nightlife and amount of fun as Hong Kong, but on the other hand, its very safe and it feels safe.
I've been to Phuket, too, about 18 years ago. A very beautiful place. The ocean water is blue, clean and pure and its reasonable to stay there. Thailand's not as modern and safe as Singapore. When I was there, tourists were targets for thieves at resorts like Phuket.

General advice: On your daily excursions, don't carry anything on you that you can't lose. Lock up any valuables (passport, for starters) somewhere secure. If you get robbed of small stuff (under $50 or hotel keys or sunglasses) don't let it ruin your trip.

[PedroBourbon]

Make sure you are up to date on immunizations and vaccinations!

[TeamMorris]

I have a friend from Singapore. She took care of my little guy for the first year of his life while I worked. She came to my house and charged $20.00 a day ( I paid for her bus pass each month also). Super deal and she was SO good with him! Loved him like her own. She was a first grade teacher there. She moved back 2 years ago.

I really don't know much about it though other than her culture. From the picture's she showed me though it is a beautiful place!! I asked her of all places she could have come in the USA on her visa, why she chose Cincinnati? I guess her family had visited a few times and really liked it so that is the place she chose. She enjoyed it also and plans to come back. I could get you in touch with her if you would like. She is a lot of fun also

Sounds like a great trip SB! Have a great time and be careful. International travel can be scary these days.

[Yachtzee]

Take plenty of pictures. I'm sure it will be a memorable trip. My brother and his wife took jobs teaching at an elementary school in Shekou, China, just outside of Hong Kong. They've taken numerous trips to Thailand and Indonesia. They've been to Phi Phi Island in Thailand while they were still recovering from the Tsunami and I think they might have been to Phuket. They've also been to Bali in Indonesia and the Malaysian part of Borneo. Beautiful places for sure. Thai people are very nice, so much so that when my sister in law spent a few days in a Bangkok hospital with food poisoning, she was treated so well she said it was nicer than if she had been in a hospital at home. Haven't heard much about Singapore other than being big, clean and strict. Just like any foreign country, watch out for scams, especially random locals offering to be a tour guide. They are often hired to bring tourist to out of the way businesses that will try to charge you something outrageous for a meal or trinkets. If you refuse, then your "tour guide" suddenly demands a fee to take you back to the city (often because they lost out on the commission they would have gotten had you bought something).

[remdog]

If you have time check www.flyertalk.com and www.tripadvisor.com for a wealth of information and recommendations.

Rem

[REDblooded]

I've been to Singapre and Thailand, though not Phuket.

Singapore was ok, but nothing spectacular. It's so westernized that it doesn't really feel like it has much of an identity of it's own. It is a bit (or was) pricey. And another law? Don't touch anybody. Our ship had a guy arrested for tapping a lady on the shoulder to ask for directions.


Thailand? The greatest.

[Patrick Bateman]

I was in Phuket for a few days back on a school trip 5 years ago. To be honest though, it was a fast moving trip, and I don't remember a whole lot about it. We spent much more time in Bangkok and Chang Mei.

I do say, during their new year, Chang Mei is a wicked place to be at. We lucked out. Basically, the entire city and surrounding areas engage in a giant water fight. Kids, police officers, really, anyone on the street. You can't go outside without having anyone chase you are around with a water gun or bucket of water. Anyone is fair game. Some random guy was walking around in a suit, I dumped a bucket on his head, and he smiled at me. Just watch out for the Brit tourists and their "water".

[Screwball]

Is Phuket pronounced how I think it is?

[cincinnati chili]

Originally Posted by Screwball

Is Phuket pronounced how I think it is?

Actually, instead of pronouncing the the first syllable like the "F" word, you get to say the word "poo."

To me, saying "poo" is always more fun than saying the "F" work.

[Yachtzee]

Originally Posted by cincinnati chili

Actually, instead of pronouncing the the first syllable like the "F" word, you get to say the word "poo."

To me, saying "poo" is always more fun than saying the "F" work.

My brother and his wife had a lot of fun on Phi Phi Island, and of course part of it was getting to say "pee pee" all the time. Something about it just makes you regress to the age of 5 and brings on the giggles. Another interesting place in Thailand is the Bangkok district of Bang Sue. Of course, like Phuket, it's not pronounced like it's spelled, so it's not quite as fun to say as Phi Phi or Phuket.

[Super_Barry11]

Thank you all so much for your advice and input! I really appreciate all the replies!!

We're taking a speedboat/snorkeling tour of Phi Phi Island, so I'm sure my friend and I will having fun saying "Phuket" and "Phi Phi." He may be 27, but his mental age is much lower.

TM, thanks for the info about your friend! I wouldn't want to bother her, but if you find out that she has any suggestions of fun things to do in her city, please let me know!

I really wanted to go to the Night Safari in Singapore one of the evenings, but all my friend wants to do when he gets home from work is grab McDonalds and watch Family Guy DVDs on his couch. I'll keep working on it.