Howcast

Visiting Sentosa Island

Howcast — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:27:07 +0000

Transcript

“When Singapore gets overwhelming and you just want to unwind, visit Sentosa Island, off the southern coast of the main island, for some fun away from the bustling city. For longer visits, you can even stay in a resort and relax and rejuvenate in one of the island’s three spas. This is the place to hit the beach; though Sentosa Island’s beaches aren’t natural, they’re still the most popular beaches in Singapore. If you’re more interested in plants and wildlife than sand and ocean waves, you can take a nature walk through Sentosa Island’s rainforest. The island is also home to an oceanarium housing dolphins and thousands of fish, golf courses, retail outlets, 5-star hotels, Singapore’s first casino, and much more. If you’re travelling with children, Sentosa Island is also packed with attractions that will appeal to them, like Universal Studios Singapore. There’s something for just about everyone, making Sentosa Island a popular getaway for Singaporeans and tourists alike.”

Visiting the Thian Hock Keng Temple in Singapore

Howcast — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:18:21 +0000

Transcript

“In Singapore’s Chinatown you’ll find the beautiful Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of the city’s oldest Chinese temples. This temple is central to Singapore’s Chinese community and has been a part of Singapore’s history for centuries; even before the temple itself was built, it was the site of a shrine constructed by the first Chinese sailors to reach Singapore as thanks to Ma Zu, the goddess of the sea, for their safe arrival. The temple was built over the shrine much later, in 1842, paid for by Singapore’s Chinese community. And the money raised was well worth it – the Thian Hock Keng Temple is still one of the city’s best examples of traditional southern Chinese architecture, with its colorful, heavily detailed facade; beautiful tiles; dragon and phoenix statues; and doors guarded by statues of lions, tigers, and mythical creatures. Within the temple are statues of Ma Zu, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, Confucius, and many others. The Thian Hock Keng Temple is one of the most interesting, beautiful, and important religious sites in Singapore, so be sure to include it in your visit.”

Visiting the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Howcast — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:45:18 +0000

Transcript

“One of the best things about Singapore is all the nature that lives alongside this modern city. The Singapore Botanic Gardens span 183 acres and include a stunning variety of botanic treasures. You can visit just to take a walk through the grounds or join the Singaporeans who practice tai chi here in the mornings, but there’s a lot more to do as well. One highly notable attraction is the ten acres of Singapore’s natural, preserved tropical rainforest, which you can take a tour
through. Another favorite is the National Orchid Garden, which contains thousands of species and hybrids of Singapore’s famous orchids. Visit the Evolution Garden to learn about how plants have evolved since prehistoric times. Also of note is the Ginger Garden, which contains hundreds of plant species related to ginger, from lilies to bananas. If
you’re travelling with children, visit the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, which includes a maze, a fountain to splash in, and tons of educational activities. The gardens are open every day from 5 AM to midnight and general admission is free, so time and money won’t prevent you from visiting. So whatever you do, don’t miss out.”

Top 5 Places to Eat & Drink in Singapore

Howcast — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:37:10 +0000

Transcript

Singapore is famous for its food, which is plentiful, flavorful, and often inexpensive. For local cuisine, hawker centers like Lau Pa Sat and Maxwell Road Hawker Center are your best bets. There, you can find favorites such as chili crab– delicious, fresh, juicy crab cooked in sweet chili sauce. Another famous local specialty you’ll find in hawker centers is Hainanese chicken rice, which is considered a Singaporean national dish. Given Singapore’s history as a British colony, the Britain’s influence still very prominent in the restaurant scene. You can even take High Tea in the Raffles Bar & Billiard Room. For even more colonial history, visit the Long Bar and try a Singapore Sling. It’s a little touristy and expensive, but it’s a famous old stand-by, and worth visiting if only to say you’ve been there. For haute cuisine, you can’t go wrong with the internationally acclaimed French restaurant Les Amis, which offers fine wine and innovative dishes. The combination of cultures in Singapore makes for great variety in cuisine, and Singaporean standards mean high quality, so Singapore is a foodie’s dream.

How to Get around Singapore

Howcast — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:29:29 +0000

Transcript

“A lot of Singapore is easy to walk around, but the tropical heat can make it unpleasant sometimes. Luckily, if you don’t want to work up a sweat, there are plenty of other reliable options. Singapore’s taxis are safe, clean, relatively inexpensive, and the drivers are helpful. Taxis are a good choice if you’re worried about getting lost–but you might have a little trouble getting one during rush hours, so it’s good to have a backup plan. It’s hard to go wrong with the Mass Rapid Transit, or MRT, system. It’s cheap, reliable, and will take you to most of the popular tourist destinations. Just make sure you know exactly where you want to go before you buy your ticket, as the fares are based on destination. If you plan on using the MRT system a lot during your stay, consider buying a Singapore Tourist Pass or an EZ-Link fare card so you won’t have to worry about paying the wrong amount. These can also be used to pay on buses, which will take you just about anywhere the MRT system won’t, and have the added bonus of letting you sightsee while you ride. The downside is that they can be a little slow. However you decide to get around, you probably won’t have much trouble; most Singaporeans speak English and the maps are easy to understand.”

Best Time of Year to Visit Singapore

Howcast — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:21:59 +0000

Transcript

Given how close to the Equator the island of Singapore is, it’s going to be pretty hot no matter what time of year you visit. Fortunately, air conditioning is very common in Singapore, and the locals won’t think less of you for taking advantage of it–they do too. You should expect it to rain every day regardless of when you visit, but usually only in brief showers. The most rain will fall during the monsoon season, November through January. Singapore gets a lot of business travelers, so hotel rates and airfare are likely to be high year round. July through August is your best bet for finding good deals. Above all, avoid mid-December through the Lunar New Year, which is usually in February–this is the most popular time for vacations in Asia, so it will be next to impossible to find a good deal. Despite the cost and the weather, Singapore is bustling, unique, and well worth visiting. Just pack an umbrella and appropriate clothing, and plan your trip ahead of time for the best bargains.

Top 3 Museums to Visit in Singapore

Howcast — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:16:50 +0000

Transcript

Visiting Singapore’s museums is a great way to learn about the rich cultures that characterize this diverse island. Dig into the history of Singapore at the National Museum of Singapore. This is officially Singapore’s oldest museum, it has kept up with the island’s history even while it was happening. But that doesn’t mean it’s stuck in the past–the museum uses film and other technology in its events and exhibits, in order to educate visitors more effectively than ever. To better understand Singapore as it is today, visit the Asian Civilizations Museum. Singaporean people come from a variety of cultures with ancestors in different countries. This museum is dedicated to the appreciation of Singapore’s different cultures, and it educates visitors on how they interact and their individual histories. For art, you have to check out the Singapore Art Museum. It has a collection of thousands of pieces of contemporary Southeast Asian art, in a variety of media. Whether you’re more interested in history, art, or modern Singapore, these world-class museums are the perfect way to become more familiar with the spirit of Singapore.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Singapore

Howcast — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:09:16 +0000

Transcript

“Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Singapore is the wildlife thriving so close to the city. The Singapore Botanic Gardens stretch over hundreds of acres, including the National Orchid Garden and ten acres of natural, preserved rainforest. You should also check out the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, where a broad variety of birds from all over the world live or migrate to during the winter. Singapore is also home to a variety of religious communities, and not visiting any of the temples would be a mistake. Go to Chinatown to see the Thian Hock Keng Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hokkien temple, with its colorful, intricate facade and doors guarded by statues of lions, tigers, and mythical creatures.
Also not to be missed is the Sultan Mosque, the center of Singapore’s Muslim community in Kampong Glam. Though it’s the second mosque to be built on the site, its importance hasn’t diminished since the first one was built in 1826. For fun away from the city, visit Sentosa Island. Hit the beach, take a nature walk through the rainforest, or relax in one
of the island’s spas. If you’re travelling with children, Sentosa Island is also packed with attractions that will appeal to them, including Universal Studios Singapore. Whether you’re interested in nature, relaxation, or culture, Singapore has a wealth of things to do.”

Top 6 Neighborhoods to Visit in Singapore

Howcast — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:51:13 +0000

Transcript

Singapore is small, but very densely populated with people from a variety of cultures. On the north bank of the Singapore River is the historic district. Though the majority of the colonial city is gone now, important government buildings remain as well as a statue of Singapore’s founder, Stamford Raffles. The south bank is the modern business district, where you’ll find peculiar attractions like the towering Merlion statue among the skyscrapers. If you’re going to Singapore for shopping, you can’t do any better than Orchard Road. There are shopping malls for miles, and many of them are even connected by underpasses so you can avoid the heat and rain. For a much different shopping experience, visit the antique shops and the stalls in Singapore’s Chinatown. You’ll see some of Singapore’s older architecture here as well, so it’s worth a visit even if you don’t feel like emptying your pockets. Little India is another great place to find unique shops and stalls, and the colorfully painted buildings are an attraction in themselves. Another beautiful area is Kampong Glam, the old Malay district. It has been largely modernized, but you’ll still find beautiful historical buildings like the Sultan Mosque and the Hajjah Fatimah Mosque here. It’s lucky that Singapore is so small, because you’ll want to thoroughly explore all of its neighborhoods.