Tuesday, March 6, 2012

There is Always Something New in Singapore

I always enjoy going to Singapore. In the past when my brother used to reside there, I was fortunate to visit the Singapore Zoo, the different attractions in Sentosa and commercial districts through Fun Tours.

The last time I went to Singapore, it was for an international medical education convention and every time I go there, it seems something new always comes up.

Singapore is a favorite destination nowadays for Filipinos, not just for tourism but for work. And I would like to share to my readers what's now there in Singapore, what's new and what's coming up.

Of course, located in the heart of downtown Singapore is a premiere integrated entertainment destination --- the Marina Bay Sands (MBS). It showcases meeting and convention facilities, luxury hotels, superior dining and entertainment all under one roof. The Sands SkyPark has a 150 meter long infinity pool.

There is also the Louis Vuitton Island, the largest boutique outside Paris designed by award-winning architect Peter Marino.

Resorts World Sentosa has all in one destination the Universal Studios Singapore, the Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, 2 New Hotels (Equarius Hotel and Beach Villas), the Galleria, the Forum, the Waterfront and soon, the Marine Life Park.

Shopping is not just Orchard Road. Try the Shopping Precincts like Holland Village, Haji Lane, Ann Siang Hill, aside from Raffles Hill and Bugis Street.

For Pasalubong, suggestions are the Giordano I Love SG T-shirt, TWG Tea, Prima Taste Premium Gifts, Bengawan Solo, Ya Kun Kaya, Bee Cheng Hiang Bak Kwa and many others.

For a memorable Dining Experience, try the Singapore Food Trail at the Singapore Flyer, St. James Beer Garden at 3 Sentosa Gateway (which has Satay, Rojak, Chicken Wing and live bands), and Marche (in Somerset and Vivo City).

Buffets Galore? Try Ellenborough Market Cafe, Pete's Place at Grand Hyatt, Coleman's Cafe, The Square @ Furama, Carousel @ Royal Plaza on Scotts, Sakura International Buffet, Hanabi Japanese Restaurant, Zhou's Kitchen and Kuishin Bo.

Want musicals? Wicked the Musical, the Untold Story of the Wizard of Oz is still playing at MBS until April 2012.

Upcoming Events

  • Timbre Rock and Roots on March 30 and 31 at the Marina Promenade where one band from the Philippines may have the chance to perform.
  • Great Singapore Sale, an island-wide sale offering exclusive Mastercard privileges as well as tourist privileges at ION Orchard, Marina Square, Suntec City, Vivo City and Wisma Atria; Happening from May 25 to July 22, 2012.
  • Asia Fashion Exchange
Summer activities which you may not have yet tried
  • Exploring the farms at D' Kranji Farm Resort and Bollywood Veggies
  • Wild, Wild Wet
  • Picnic and Kite-flying at Labrador Park and Henderson Waves
  • Tea at TWG Tea Salon
  • Educational and entertaining experience at Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium
  • Titanic: the Artifact Exhibition at the ArtScience Museum until April 29, 2012.
  • Cooking class at Shermay's Cooking School and Dining at Prive and Lantern (perfect for couples)
  • Romantic walk in Sands SkyPark
  • Shopping at Haji Lane and Ann Siang Hill
  • Electronics Galore at Funan the IT Mall
  • Transformers, the hyper-realistic 3D Thrill Ride
Coming Soon
  • Gardens by the Bay in Bay South, Opening in June 2012, which is a showcase of vibrant garden artistry, edutainment and environmental sustainability
    • Attractions: Supertrees with aerial walkway, illuminated at night; Cooled conservatories; Horticulturally-themed gardens, etc.
  • River Safari - showcasing the world's greatest rivers, exotic flaura and fauna and a pair of Giant Pandas

For more details, visit YourSingapore.com.

I admire Singapore's leaders. Despite their country's size, they are able to make so many parks mixing urban and rural ways. Their appreciation of nature is very evident in the parks that that they make. Click like if you want Cebu or Philippines to have the same approach as Singapore.