Sightseeing Singapore

Singapore is a small place. There's no doubt about it.
But there are enough attractions to keep you busy for a week or so.

Number One has to be the Singapore Zoo. It's truly a world class attraction. If you get the chance, make sure to eat breakfast with the Orangutan. It's worth getting up early for.

Making Friends

Raffles Hotel

You really haven't been to Singapore until you've drunk Singapore Slings in the 'colonial ambience' of Raffles' Long Bar (did the imperial British really listen to Filipino bands and throw nuts on the floor?) and  followed it with dinner at Doc Cheng's (my favorite restaurant in Asia).

And be sure to stroll the grounds. There's great atmosphere here, along with the best fossil store I've ever seen, Evolution.

Other things to do:

-Eat dinner by the Singapore River at Boat Quay. A lot of great restaurants and bars are here, and the people-watching is first class.

-Bukit Timah makes for a good little hike, with greenery and monkeys.

-Go to the Imperial Herbal Restaurant and order some scorpions or fried ants. Or ask the doctor to whip up something special for you. Seriously...

Interior Decorating Tang-style

Indian Temple Carving

-The Jurong Bird Park is not as interesting as the zoo (unless you're really big on birds), but is well worth an afternoon.

-Go wandering through Little India, Arab Street and Chinatown. The architecture is really interesting and you can find all the odd little souvenirs your heart desires. Plus the food is awesome. You may never find better and safer Indian food than you will in Little India.

-Take a boat ride up and down the Singapore River, past Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and the Merlion. It's a good way to cool off on a steamy day.

-Stop off at a hawker stand for any food that looks good.

-And there's Sentosa Island, which is loaded with tourist attractions. I never went there, myself. Why? Well, there are few things that I find more depressing than a 'tourist attraction', unless it's an island full of them! But hey, load the kids up and go for it, if you want!

-Or, enjoy incredibly expensive drinks served by beautiful leggy women in traditional Chinese dresses (cheongsam) in the vertigo-inducing atrium at the Mandarin Marina.

If that's not enough for you, well, you'll just have to walk slower and eat more.
Because any Singaporean will tell you, it's not the destination that's important - it's the food that you eat on the journey.