We’re not very laidback, not very smiley, not that courteous but you can’t blame us since most of Singapore functions through media and the internet so more or less, we’ve lost that touch of humanity. BUT WORRY NOT, the areas where tourists usually roam are filled with shops and places with super-friendly and trained-to-treat-people-well staff. They’ve even got certificates and licenses for it here. (:
So you’ll be meeting plenty of super-nice people while you’re here if you’re on tour. Just think of it as New York with an Asian flare. Asians are not the most outgoing people in the world so please understand. Nonetheless, most Singaporeans love you tourists. I mean, it’s not everyday we get to see people with blonde hair and blue eyes. Get my drift?

NOTE: Singapore is one of the countries that face a lot of rain. Make sure you’ve got an umbrella AND a raincoat wherever you go. It’s best to travel light (as in slippers and teeshirt-jeans/short attire) since wearing that expensive pair of suede shoes won’t get you anywhere here. I’m serious. Lots of poorly-informed tourists end up cooped up in just an area in Singapore or worst, in their A/C-ed hotel rooms because it’s scorching outside. Singapore’s sunny day is like the most humid and hottest day of summer and when it rains, it may flood for an hour or so. (Our drainage system is a marvel.)

If you would like to get a glimpse of singapore’s heritage (at little or no cost at all) rather than just the attraction of the urban jungle and night lights,
visit the Singapore Food Trail @ Singapore Flyer!

The place takes you back to the 60s. Not only will you get to immerse yourself in an atmosphere similar to the food streets of old singapore, you’ll also get to see knick nacks and charming antiques and posters from the past. I took alot of beautiful pictures the last time i went there!

Not only is the ambience awesome, the food is extremely tasty. You have hawkers who go wayyy back and have been in business for years!

one thing you must try is the ice ball, drizzled with colourful syrup, this treat is especially refreshing in Singapore’s hot weather

http://www.singaporefoodtrail.com.sg/

a definite must go!

You might be tempted to go to famed eating places such as Newton Food Centre (and there is certainly good food here) but beware of unscrupulous stall owners who jack up prices. Other places where shop owners will try to rip off foreigners are the flea market (Sungei Road Thieves Market) and Sim Lim Square.

Some recommendations are:
1. Yong He Soya Bean and Dough Fritters in Geylang (if it out of the way Mr Bean is ok too)
2. Above-mentioned char siew rice (Just watch for the queue during lunchtime!)
3. Seng Bee Hainanese Chicken Rice’s chicken rice/chicken congee that comes with fried dough fritters at Blk 724 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6
4. Roti Prata at Jalan Kayu/ near Aljunied MRT Station

These are just some of my personal favourites and in fact good food are everywhere to be found!

Having to save and travel there to visit my bf, means we have to be on a budget. (Plane tickets are not dirt cheap).

Here are some things we ended up doing:
1. Botanical Gardens: Free in general but I highly recommend forking over $5 for the entrance to the Orchid Gardens. MAJOR photo ops in there. Also, in the main “garden” you can make a game with yourself and hunt down as many statues as you can find.

2. MINT Toy Museum (near the Raffles Hotel): Not free but if you loved toys and is partially a geek at heart, you might like this place. I loved spotting Archies, Betty Boops, Rin Tin Tin stuff as well as Popeye and astroboy stuff in there.

3. FOOD> definitely the hawker centers in China town, Gluttons Bay (near Esplanade). The pinoy (philippine) bbq stall has yummy skewers, and black pepper beef in any hawker stall is a lip-smacker. I personally loved the nasi lemak rice dishes with fried chicken. Oh! And.. if you ever want to try the BEST FRIED CHICKEN WINGS EVER ON THE PLANET, try going to the basement food court of Ion Mall and look for BON CHON Four Fingers Chicken. It’s to die for. I never go to singapore without hitting that place at least once.

4. Fort Siloso – you can walk around the grounds for free. Up to you if you want to fork over the entrance fee for the Battle Box. But it’s worth the money if you do.

5. Sentosa Island – There are a lot of ‘entertainment’ places there where there are entrance fees or ride fees. But in general, it’s free. It’s nice to hang out in that area. Lots of sculptures, displays for pictures. You might want to ride up and down the music and lights escalator at the Festive Hotel (near Universal). It’s free and it’s a favorite of mine. The lights and music make you feel like you’re part of a fantasy rainforest.

I do admit that Singaporeans are not perfect, but to overgeneralized that all singaporeans are rude, nasty & dirty seems a little too extreme.

As with all places, isn’t it normal to meet both the nice & not so nice people?

And it’s not like we are not offended by foreigners & Caucasians who are disrespectful & sceptical of our culture & the very things that we hold dear.

It’s a two way thing, perhaps when you start opening up to Singaporeans, they will open up to you too, & you might be surprised at how nice we really can be.