TRAVEL GUIDE TO SINGAPORE
This is your ultimate travel guide to Singapore!
CAPITAL: SINGAPORE IS A CITY-STATE
Welcome to “The Lion City”, or as I like to call it, “The Avatar World”. Once you get there, you’ll understand why. The name derives from the Sanskrit words “simha” (lion) and “pura” (city) to describe the city-state’s leonine symbol.
I’ve dreamed about visiting Singapore, more specifically Marina Bay Sands, since its inauguration. My first planned trip was scheduled for April 3, 2020. Yeah, I know you are laughing. Of course, I was isolated in my petit studio in Paris, instead of swimming in the most amazing infinity pool in the world.
I postponed the trip for 6 months, but then again, the second isolation occurred in Paris, and Singapore was still closed to tourists. The third time is a charm, they say! I booked, for the third time, a new trip for August 2022. Until I stepped foot on their soil, I was afraid something will come up. But I was lucky enough and after a delay of 5 hours in Doha with Qatar Airways, I arrived in another world.
My first words when I arrived in front of Marina Bay Sands were “This is out of this world!”.
Singapore is located at the southern tip of Malaysia. Singapore has about 60 offshore islands that surround the main island. Among these are Sentosa, the most popular island resort, the largest one – Pulau Ujong, St John’s Island, and Sisters’ Islands.
Singapore boasts a beautiful blend of Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Arab, and English cultures. This city-state will welcome you into a world of architectural wonders and culinary delights.
SAY HELLO IN SINGAPORE
Hello = Ni Hao in Mandarin or Namaste in Indian
In Malay, the greeting is based on the time of day: Selamat Pagi for good morning, Selamat Tengah Hari for good afternoon, and Selamat Malam for good night.
When in SINGAPORE
YOUR TRAVEL GUIDE
Singapore is a global financial center and the most densely populated place in the world. Migration has played a key role in Singapore’s development. The city-state has the most beautiful airport in the world, with the highest indoor waterfall and a Botanic Garden that is a World Heritage Site.
Religions: Buddhist 31.1%, Christian 18.9%, Muslim 15.6%, Taoist 8.8%, Hindu 5%, other 0.6%, none 20%.
Language: The official languages in Singapore are English with 48.3% of speakers and Mandarin with 29.9% of speakers, Malay with 9.2%, and Tamil with 2.5%. Other Chinese dialects include Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, and Hakka with 8.7% of speakers.
Currency: The currency in Singapore is the Singaporean dollar (SGD).
CARD PAYMENTS AND CASH WITHDRAWALS:
All types of credit cards are accepted in tourist areas, restaurants, hotels, and boutiques. The most common are Visa, MasterCard, and UnionPay (popular in China). However, some vendors will only accept cash or have issues with their card machines. I suggest you keep some cash, especially if you go to the market areas of Haji Lane, Sim Lim, and Burgis.
ATMs: You will find plenty of ATMs. They usually have a 6-digit PIN code. However, a 4-digit PIN code from a bank in Europe, the UK, or Australia is accepted. Generally, ATMs can accept PINs of different lengths.
The magnetic stripe card issued in the USA can be used, but you’ll need to get the card’s PIN from your bank before you travel.
Plugs: Singapore has plug types C, G, and M. Plug type C has two round pins, plug type G has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern and type M has three round pins. Singapore operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Best Time to visit
Asia is divided into three major climatic realms: Boreal Asia in the North, Desert Asia in the West and Center, and Monsoon Asia in the South and East.
The climate in Singapore is tropical: hot, humid, and rainy. There are two distinct monsoon seasons – northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September). There is also an inter-monsoon – frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms. I’ve been in August and not a single teardrop.
SINGAPORE SOLO TRAVEL REPORTAGE
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