Planning a stopover in Singapore

[scubabum2]

We're going to have a bit of a layover in Singapore coming back from our Sulawesi trip. Its short, just from 6PM on Saturday June 16 to 8AM the next morning. We're not going to pull an all-nighter, but perhaps a very late night. We'll have plenty of time for rest on the way back.

A couple of things we toyed with doing are the boat ride through the city and we also want to go to a shopping area where we could get some interesting items for the house like Indonesian wood crafts, etc. Of course, we'll want to eat too. Any Dutch-Indonesian cuisine places worth trying or great places for seafood? We're pretty much an open book, just want to maximize or experience while we're in this beautiful city.

Thanks, Mark

 

[Indonesian_Diver]

Hi Mark,

I could be wrong. Most of the market places will close by the time you arrive in the city. Orchard Street is the main area for shopping. You can go in and out every building and fine the deals. But, I'm not sure if you really can find any Indonesian woodcrafts in Singapore. Indonesians go to Singapore to shop clothes and electronics. Most of tourist will go to Jakarta directly to find Indonesia arts. Again, I could be wrong. You will better of to get the souvenier from Sulawesi, they have quiet impressive crafs stuff there, unfortunately not in the diving area. You have to travel to go to the art place.

As far as Dutch-Indonesian cuisine, I don;t think you can get it either in Singapore. You only can get Dutch-Indonesian cuisine in Holland or other European countries (and Tobermory, Canada). You will better of to get the real Indonesian cuisine.

In Singapore, you will find lots of good Indian, Malaysian, or Chinese food. You might find some Indonesian food, but that mostly from West part of Indonesia, which almost similar as Malaysian food.

As far as Seafood, you can find it pretty much everywhere, but the price might not be right Again, you better of maximize all of this crave in Sulawesi, you will get fresh and better variety of seafood with reasonable price. Just so you know, Sulawesi food is excellent.

Keep in mind, every regions of Indonesia have different type and kind of food. Each of them are unique. But, it is one of the best food in Indonesia is from Manado, Sulawesi. Ask the local about the 3Bs

Hope this helps, and if you have any specific question please feel free to ask.

Cheers,
S-

 

[BellesMom]

Hi Mark - we are going to Gangga Island and Lembeh in late May - 1 week each place. Where are you going? We planned the trip to have 2 full days in Singapore before going over to Manado - to catch our breath and be ready for lots of diving. On the way back, we are staying at the Changi Village Hotel - close to the airport...sounds like the same flight connections as you. Last year we dove Wakatobi and really regretted not spending any time in SIN - so this year we planned accordingly. Just curious where you are diving??? Take care, Nikki

 

[TSandM]

We did a similar layover on the way back from Sulawesi last September. We walked from the hotel up into "Little India". Most of the shops were open until at least 8, as I recall, and we had fun window shopping and browsing beautiful fabrics and saris and jewelery. We ate at The Apollo Banana Leaf restaurant, which had some of the best Indian food I've ever eaten, and is apparently quite well known.

We had such a good time, we've agreed that, for any future trip with a stopover there, we'd like to spend at least a full day.

 

[Tassie_Rohan]

Most shops are open till 8, and some are open till 10 during shopping festivals.

I usually head to orchard road - the main shopping area. Have a meal at the open air corner bar at the marriot hotel (thats a bit of a tradition for me - will be doing it this friday and again in two weeks time) then hit the surrounding shops.

Not a lot of ethnic arts or crafts for sale though: best get those in sulawesi.

Quite a few good seafood restaurants around. A good place to go is ?Boat Quay: a place where dozens of restaurants serve excellent food next to the river (not sure if thats the correct name)

Cheers,
Rohan.

 

[scubabum2]

Thanks so much for all of the great advice and for helping me get better expectations. Sounds like we'll want to check out Orchard Street for sure. I've read about Boat Quay(?) and that also being an area with numerous restaurants. I'm really looking forward to Sulawesi cuisine too - have heard great things about it. We were planning to spend several hours in Manado on our way back to Singapore, so perhaps we can do some shopping there.

Nikki, I think we may miss each other on this trip, as we're planning to go June 2-16. We plan to split the trip between the Nomad resort on Lembeh and Cha Cha on Bunaken. I can't wait to see that part of the world - topside and underwater!

 

[TSandM]

The food in Sulawesi was fantastic, even on the dive boats! I could live on Indonesian food.

The Singapore airport was actually a very fun place for shopping. I came home with something like five sarongs, because I couldn't resist the beautiful fabrics and the prices were so attractive.

 

[I-NSC]

Hi Mark - we are going to Gangga Island and Lembeh in late May - 1 week each place. Where are you going? We planned the trip to have 2 full days in Singapore before going over to Manado - to catch our breath and be ready for lots of diving. On the way back, we are staying at the Changi Village Hotel - close to the airport...sounds like the same flight connections as you. Last year we dove Wakatobi and really regretted not spending any time in SIN - so this year we planned accordingly. Just curious where you are diving??? Take care, Nikki

Hi Nikki,
PM me when your in Singapore. I'll bring you for some good local food just near your hotel. Gangga is excellent resort! Hanna is very social boss.. and the resort just makes you want to skip diving and chill in the room.

Sounds like a plan?
Cheers
Ivan.

 

[Live_in_Sin]

for your restaurant hunting, depends on where you stay, so many choices. but Don't eat at boat quay. over priced and not so good. as for indonesian crafts, buy them in Indonesia, much cheaper! In Sing, you could find some shops in Dempsey area, but I don't think they are open till late.

 

[dive_lover88]

try any of the food courts or the hawker centers...u will be spolit for choices