Singapore_Chinatown

Singapore_Chinatown:-

Chinatown...as the name says it all...is the chinese bazaar/market for all chinese articles, clothing, textiles and souvenirs. Chinatown is located near the Chinatown MRT(Mass Rapid Transit) station. Here you can find lots of chinese shops selling chinese articles, pots, clothing..textiles..and souvenirs. Chinese celebrate their New year during the months of January/February every year and thus...Chinese New Year...this is the time you ought to see Chinatown...it's fully decorated...with all kinds of lanterns...decorative lamps...etc.

Below pic showing chinese decoration...

 Oldest Chinese Coin

 Painting bird...

The Singapore National Flower - Orchid.

  
Guess what these are..??.. Chopsticks :))

  
Colorful chinese fans...

The main attractions to see here are the Kaliamman(Mariamman) temple and Buddha Tooth Relic temple.

Will post more soon. thanks for reading...

Singapore_Marina Bay Sands

Singapore_Places to See...

As said in my previous posts...I will in this post be giving more details on some of the most important places to visit\see in Singapore.

That's Marina Bay Sands...A 7* Hotel...One of the must see in Singapore. Do notice the boat shape...It is located in Marina Bay and is with in the vicinity of the Marina Bay Financial District. Developed by Las Vegas Sands, it is billed as the world's most expensive standalone casino property at S$8 billion, including cost of the prime land.

With the casino complete, the resort features a 2,561-room hotel, a 1,300,000-square-foot (120,000 m²) convention-exhibition centre, the 800,000-square-foot (74,000 m²) The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands mall, an iconic ArtScience museum, two large theaters, seven "celebrity chef" restaurants, two floating Crystal Pavilions, an ice skating rink, and the world's largest atrium casino with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines. The complex is topped by a 340m-long SkyPark with a capacity of 3,900 people and a 150m infinity swimming pool, set on top of the world's largest public cantilevered platform, which overhangs the north tower by 67m.

More Details can be found here:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Bay_Sands

Here are some more pics of Marina Bay Sands....Some with my family ;))

You can also go to the top of the hotel...and get a breathtaking view of Singapore's financial district below..What you get to see is awesome....and splendid...You also get added bonus of viewing the Esplanade Theaters, Fullerton Hotel, Nearby Kusu and St.John's Islands, HarbourFront, Sentosa Island, The Singapore Flyer and the Gardens by the Bay.

The Marina Bays Sands Sky Park is a small area for public viewing...on top of the resort. The Tickets have to be purchased at the lobby below for 20 SGD. The Sky Park is usually open from morning 10 a.m to 11p.m but can sometimes be closed due to unexpected rainfall and gusty winds. It's better to call them up and check before going there.  

Few pics taken before going to the top - To the Sky Park !!!

Few pics taken from above the Marina Bay Sands Sky Park...

View from the Skypark

Isn't the view lovely...???

Pics of the Singapore Flyer...

Also to be noted is the Musical Show @ the Marina Bay Sands...near the deck area. The show starts at 8p.m for 15-20 minutes and is worth watching...If you miss it...no need to worry...you can still catch up the show @ 9.30p.m

Thanks for Reading...Will post more soon....

Any comments will be much appreciated and will help me make this blog better.

Singapore

Singapore:-

Singapore is a beautiful island country, separated by Malaysia in the North and Indonesia to the South. Singapore is also the main hub to more easily accessible Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Hongkong...etc. The local languages here are English, Chinese(Mandarin), Malay and Tamil. The currency is Singapore dollar(SGD). 

More Info about Singapore can be found here:-

http://wikitravel.org/en/Singapore

There are lots of places to visit in Singapore. I will list a few in Singapore and later will list a few near to Singapore.

I came to Singapore on work visa and have been here for quite some time[for 3 years now]. When i first came to Singapore, my idea of being in a foreign country vanished as soon as i saw more Indians living. In fact 30-40% of the population are Indians..with Tamilians, Andhraites, Malyalees...Kannadigas....North Indians. Language and Food is not at all a problem if you are an Indian. You get Idli-Vada, Masala Dosa, South Indian, Gujrati, Punjabi...you name it and you get it here..but, at a price... A meal will cost about 6-8 dollars and if you happen to go to a good restaurant...about 15-25 SGD [1 SGD = 48.50 INR]. Staying is Singapore is a difficult thing and can be a nightmare for some if you are not familiar with certain things...Singapore is mainly made of HDB Flats and more costlier Condominiums. Most families share and usually rent a Master room or a common room. Master room with attached toilet cost about 750-1100 SGD and Common rooms about 650-1000 on twin sharing. A full HDB may cost 1800-3000 depending upon the number of rooms. Condominiums are costlier and range from 3500-7500. 

Some Pics of HDB Falt I stay in:-

Singapore is very near to the equator and is usually hot. The seasons are Summer and Rainy. In Singapore or Visiting Singapore, it is advisable to carry an umbrella with you. Rain here, is always unpredictable. It can be sunny and the next moment it may be raining. Singapore can really be hot due to high humid conditions.

Few notable structures in Singapore:-

Marina Bay Sands

 Marina Bay Financial Center

 The Fullerton Hotel

 Esplanade Theaters(*Note:- The structure is based on 'Durian' - a fruit similar to jack fruit but, with a pungent smell)

Few more buildings...

Few with my family..Mom,Dad, Father in-law, Mother in-law and Wifey :))

Here are some of the places to see in Singapore:-

Jurong Bird Park
Singapore Zoo
Night Safari
River Safari
Note: Tickets can be got at any of the above for all the three attractions.

Marina Bay Financial Center - Merlion, Fullerton Hotel, Asian Civilization Museum, Esplanade.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Flyer.

ChinaTown - Mariamman Temple, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

ClarkQuay - Riverwalk, Singapore Parliment, Chimes - Building with Colour Windows, Jumbo Seafood, Jasina Perfumes, Cityhall - Funan Digital Life Mall, Suntec City - Fountain of Wealth.

Little India - Kaliamman Temple, Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Lakshmi Temple-Sai Baba Temple - Farrer Park - Mustafa Center.

Marina Bay Sands - SkyPark, Casino.

Gardens by the bay.

Singapore Flyer

Dhoby Ghaut - Plaza Singapura

Paya Lebar - Shiva Temple, Chinese Monastery, Arab Street, Sultan Mosque.

Tampines - IKEA, Giant, Courts.

ECP - East Coast Park.

Bugis - Village, Illuma, Sri Krishna Temple, Bamboo Rice.

Changi Village, Changi Srirama Temple, Changi Beach, Changi Church.

Orchard Road - Christmas Celebrations, ION Orchard, Wisma Atria..Malls.

Singapore Botanical Garden & National Orchid Garden

Kusu and St. John Islands

Chinese and Japanese Gardens

Sentosa - Vivocity, Sentosa Broadwalk, Underwater world & Dolphin Lagoon, Siloso Beach and Songs of the Sea.

In my next posts i will go thru all of the above one by one giving in more details.

Thanks All for Reading.

Any comments will be much appreciated and will help me make this blog better.