🚀 go-pugleaf

Hallo,

I read your 'plea' for info. on Singapore, and would like to offer a 
couple of hints....

There is a superb computer shopping centre called Sim Lin (or something 
like that) near Orchard Road. Take the MRT eastbound to Bugis, then look 
on the map at the exit for Sim Lin Square - it's a short 5 minute walk 
away. The building has six large storeys, and is entirely devoted to 
electronics and computers. It's cheap too - on top of that they'll bargain 
if you make a big enough fuss.

I'm not sure about cyber-cafes etc., but I'm sure there is something like 
this somewhere - try the National University of Singapore, but don't quote 
me on that one!

As for going out, I could go on for ever! If you like classical concerts 
or anything, check out Victoria Concert Hall - the cheapest seats are only 
$6, so it's worth a go. The Singaproe Symphony Orchestra performs there 
quite often, and is really good too. This place is between Raffles Place 
and City Hall MRT stations, the two MRT interchanges, so go to one of 
these and ask directions (it's less than fifteen minutes walk from 
either).

Actually, if you're going to be doing a lot of travelling within 
Singapore, Transitlink (the public transport people) publish a small book 
with details of buses and MRTs, and maps of the areas around each MRT 
station - it's dirt cheap and really useful.

Eating out is out of this world. There are hawker stalls EVERYWHERE which 
sell all kinds of food from every Asian culture you can think of, and it 
doesn't cost much more than what it costs to make. Try out something 
called roti prata - a sort of Indian bread served with curry sauce; it's 
really cheap and really delicious.

There is a good vegetarian Indian restuarant at 101 Serangoon Road (Little 
India) - catch the 166 bus and walk - don't be put off by the fact it's 
vegetarian, some of the food whets even the most carnivorous of people's 
appetites! The service is excellent, and again, dirt cheap.

If you want Western culture, try Boat Quay (near Raffles Place MRT, or 
take a 166 bus). There are countless pubs, clubs, bars, and weird and 
wonderful restaurants that are well worth a visit. However, it does tend 
to get extremely crowded, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

When you go to Malaysia, the cheapest way from Singapore is by train to KL 
or Butterworth. However, there is a discrepancy in the fares system that 
means if you go from Singapore to KL, it costs you S$34, but coming back 
it only costs RM34 (approx. half the price!). So, the cheapest way to do 
it is to get the 107 bus from Singapore to Johor Bahru (the Malaysian 
border town), then buy your train ticket and catch the train there instead 
- you'll pay only about half the price because of the exchange rate.

I hope you find this all useful. In case you're wandering how I know all 
this, I am a 17 year old student studying at the United World College of 
South-East Asia, in Singapore, and knowing the tricks and cheapest places 
to eat is part of my job!


Richard Holland.