I bought 3 Singapore Airlines Limited tickets in early February so that my family could fly Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow to Saigon, Vietnam via Singapore. The total cost of the tickets was £2295. The visas cost £120.
The tickets arrived in mid-March 2002. Unfortunately, they did not have any Singapore Airlines logos and the only attractive feature was the Singapore Airlines name printed in the “Issued By” box and the “SQ” flight prefixes.
Months passed and on 10 December 2002, I reconfirmed the Singapore Airlines flights. Reconfirmation is not necessary with Singapore Airlines, however, my parents wanted me to do it anyway for peace of mind, and it was a good excuse to test out the Singapore Airlines United Kingdom and Ireland London Reservations Office.
The telephone system’s sound quality is relatively poor however; the hold music is quite good. Pressing a few numbers, I was put in a queue for four minutes. I found this amount of time relatively fair considering the time was 1610.
The travel agent in London booked my parents on the same booking as they were in Q class for the LHR / EGLL), United Kingdom">LHR – SIN / WSSS), Singapore">SIN vv. sectors, and myself in Y class all the way. Q class is Singapore Airline’s class code for Economy Class – Discounted. Y Class enables KrisFlyer miles redemption.
Reconfirmation of the SQ319 flights for my parents went well. However, the pleasant reservations agent did not recall my name travelling with them. I then gave my name and I was booked on SQ317. This was most surprising and shocking. I told her that I was on SQ319. She said that the agent double-booked me on SQ317 and SQ319 and Singapore Airlines’ reservations computer deleted the SQ319. I was unimpressed however the prospect of 6 hours in Singapore was intriguing.
This was unacceptable though. The family must travel together. I told her reconfirm that we were on SQ174 from Singapore to Saigon. The news was even worse. SQ319 was retimed so that it would arrive in Singapore at 1515. However, SQ174 also was retimed to leave at 1445. I was totally unimpressed by this news. It was quite shocking and it took some seconds to sink in. I said I would phone her back.
By now, my mother had heard the news which was quite inconvenient as she gets anxious when things go wrong. I told her to leave it in my hands and she sat on the staircase. I phoned the travel agent in London and accused him of ruining the reservations. He said that it was Singapore Airlines’ fault for not informing me of the retiming and that they should sort it all out for me. He said that he would call the General Manager of Singapore Airlines United Kingdom and Ireland in London. With that, I hung up and redialled Singapore Airlines London and waited in a queue for two minutes.
After re-explaining the situation to another woman – probably in her mid 20s – she informed me that the fault is the travel agent’s. Singapore Airlines informed the travel agents in the UK of scheduling changes on 4 July 2002. Obviously, this information was not transferred from the travel agent to myself, hence the shock. On asking why Singapore Airlines doesn’t tell its passengers of schedule changes, she said that the Contract is between myself and the travel agent and not between myself and Singapore Airlines Limited. They apparently don’t even know my telephone number. I then asked her to transfer my parents to SQ317 and she said that it was full and that she could not do anything unfortunately. Her advice was to get back to the travel agent. Disenchanted, I hung up and redialled the travel agent. Again, he was still blaming Singapore Airlines and was still to call the General Manager.
By now, it was 1640 and it was time to take things into my own hands. I decided to phone Singapore Airlines London Administration – a number that I have memorised since 1999 and asked to speak to the General Manager myself. I got through to his Secretary as he was in a meeting and asked if anyone from ******** Travel had phoned to speak to him. I was unsurprised to hear not. I therefore explained to her the situation and she politely sympathised and passed me through to the head of Sales at the London office.
The Sales Executive – RL - then heard about the circumstances of the fiasco. He saw that there have been miscommunications and again told me that the travel agent was told on 4 July 2002 that schedule changes had been made and that passengers should have been informed. He realised that we wanted to be in Vietnam for Christmas and said that “it isn’t impossible” to get us on SQ317. I also asked about the times for SQ173 and SQ322. The departure time for SQ173 was changed from 1715 to 1650 and the arrival time for SQ322 was amended from 0550 to 0530. He asked for 30 minutes, in which time he would call me back with the results.
20 minute after hanging up on the Sales Executive, the travel agent called back to say that he had sorted things out. I was unimpressed and was preparing in my mind bad words to say to him when we had finished out trip. Obviously I didn’t want to shout at him now as he could cancel my reservation which is unwanted.
Shortly after, the Sales Executive phoned back and confirmed that my parents were on SQ317. It was a great relief to know the saga had ended! The reason? Travel agents had held on to seats on SQ317 since May 2002 and still had not sold them. Hence, he took the seats back and my parents on them. I asked what his name was and then thanked him for his cooperation and hung up.
He will be praised in my report to Singapore Airlines Limited (worldwide).
After having a short dinner, I phoned Singapore Airlines London again to reconfirm the flights. The result was satisfactory with all of us on SQ317 and a great 7 hour stop in the fantastic nation of Singapore! I asked for the booking to be locked from the travel agent for the reason “I wouldn’t trust them with a bargepole.” The male was bemused but told me that as the Contract of booking was between myself and the travel agent and that the travel agent can amend the booking at any time. I told him that such a policy is unacceptable by Singapore Airlines and that it is the passenger who is flying the Airline – not the travel agent. I told him that I will complain when I get back. He was polite in addressing my fake anger and the conversation ended.
Everyday since then up to the 14 December 2002 – I reconfirmed our flights with Singapore Airlines.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Singapore Little India
When the British ruled Singapore they divided the Indians, Chinese and Malays into 'ethnic quarters' -- today's Little India, the successor to the former Indian ethnic quarter of Chulia Kampong, has served the Indian community as the site of their temples, classical Indian music and dance centres, and restaurants for many years.
Although Singapore today is a multicultural nation without the ethnic segregation of the past, Little India remains the gathering point not only for Singapore's Indian community -- thousands of newly arrived South Asians from India, Bangladesh and Nepal, mostly temporary workers employed in construction, call this their home away from home each Sunday. This little slice of Singapore is a fascinating mosaic of South Asia's sights, colours and sounds.
Excellent restaurants abound featuring the best of each Indian regional cuisine. Whether you're after intricate saris, ayurvedic medicines or ornate tablas, you can find it here. With Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali, Nepali and other South Asian regional languages spoken, flower garlands, incense sticks and fresh young coconuts on sale by the streets, if you don't have the time to visit India this is a great place to immerse yourself in an authentic version of the real thing. Keep your eyes peeled for the Indian astrologer with his parrot and a deck of cards -- the vanishing ancient art of Indian parrot astrology is still alive in the streets of Little India, Singapore.
In January or February each year the district comes to life with the Thaipusam festival, commemorating the birthday of Lord Murugan, the Hindu deity popular among South Indians. Devotees undertake a pilgrimage along a route performing acts of devotion: some carry pots of milk or baskets of fruits, but the highlight of the event are those devotees who carry large, ornate kavadis which pierce their chest and backs, while spears slice across their cheeks -- and that's after walking on hot coals, barefoot. Little India lights up with bright colours in October or November, when Deepavali, 'the festival of lights', celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
Orientation
Little India is a loose collection of streets and back alleys centred around the thoroughfare of north-running Serangoon Road. The southern limits of Little India are Tekka Centre and Little India MRT station, and Mustafa Centre and Farrer Park MRT station to the north. Taking the exit to Tekka Centre and Buffalo Road from Little India MRT station will take you past vegetable shops, Indian music shops and beauty salons along Buffalo Road. Race Course Road nearby has a collection of good restaurants.
The Little India Arcade along Serangoon Road has a variety of shops of interest: handicraft shops, Indian classical music centres, religious altar makers and a small shop specialising in Indian sweets. The backpacker quarter is concentrated in Dunlop Street, an area in the southern part of Little India near the Arcade. Some of Singapore's budget accommodations are neighbours with Australian bars and Indian grocers and restaurants. The understated Abdul Gafoor mosque on Dunlop Street, with hints of Moorish architecture and a beautiful chandelier, is a little-known gem. The intricate Sri Srinivasa Perumal and Sri Veeramakaliamman temples along Serangoon Road are not to be missed, especially during the morning and evening poojas (prayers).
The renowned Mustafa Centre, the best place to go for moneychangers, travel deals and travel necessities, is open around the clock and found near Farrer Park MRT station. The streets surrounding Mustafa Centre don't get much airtime in guidebooks (or even from the locals) but there are some great finds: Little Africa on Sam Leong Road (CLE Restaurant is the gathering place for many Africans in Singapore), and the Heng Hwa (a Chinese regional minority, known for their seafood) restaurants along Kitchener Road.
Internet cafes of varying quality are concentrated in Dunlop Street and along Serangoon Road. The handful of telecommunications shops with the 'STD/ISD' signs offer discounted long distance phone calls without the need for phone cards or mobile phones.
Although Singapore today is a multicultural nation without the ethnic segregation of the past, Little India remains the gathering point not only for Singapore's Indian community -- thousands of newly arrived South Asians from India, Bangladesh and Nepal, mostly temporary workers employed in construction, call this their home away from home each Sunday. This little slice of Singapore is a fascinating mosaic of South Asia's sights, colours and sounds.
Excellent restaurants abound featuring the best of each Indian regional cuisine. Whether you're after intricate saris, ayurvedic medicines or ornate tablas, you can find it here. With Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali, Nepali and other South Asian regional languages spoken, flower garlands, incense sticks and fresh young coconuts on sale by the streets, if you don't have the time to visit India this is a great place to immerse yourself in an authentic version of the real thing. Keep your eyes peeled for the Indian astrologer with his parrot and a deck of cards -- the vanishing ancient art of Indian parrot astrology is still alive in the streets of Little India, Singapore.
In January or February each year the district comes to life with the Thaipusam festival, commemorating the birthday of Lord Murugan, the Hindu deity popular among South Indians. Devotees undertake a pilgrimage along a route performing acts of devotion: some carry pots of milk or baskets of fruits, but the highlight of the event are those devotees who carry large, ornate kavadis which pierce their chest and backs, while spears slice across their cheeks -- and that's after walking on hot coals, barefoot. Little India lights up with bright colours in October or November, when Deepavali, 'the festival of lights', celebrates the triumph of good over evil.
Orientation
Little India is a loose collection of streets and back alleys centred around the thoroughfare of north-running Serangoon Road. The southern limits of Little India are Tekka Centre and Little India MRT station, and Mustafa Centre and Farrer Park MRT station to the north. Taking the exit to Tekka Centre and Buffalo Road from Little India MRT station will take you past vegetable shops, Indian music shops and beauty salons along Buffalo Road. Race Course Road nearby has a collection of good restaurants.
The Little India Arcade along Serangoon Road has a variety of shops of interest: handicraft shops, Indian classical music centres, religious altar makers and a small shop specialising in Indian sweets. The backpacker quarter is concentrated in Dunlop Street, an area in the southern part of Little India near the Arcade. Some of Singapore's budget accommodations are neighbours with Australian bars and Indian grocers and restaurants. The understated Abdul Gafoor mosque on Dunlop Street, with hints of Moorish architecture and a beautiful chandelier, is a little-known gem. The intricate Sri Srinivasa Perumal and Sri Veeramakaliamman temples along Serangoon Road are not to be missed, especially during the morning and evening poojas (prayers).
The renowned Mustafa Centre, the best place to go for moneychangers, travel deals and travel necessities, is open around the clock and found near Farrer Park MRT station. The streets surrounding Mustafa Centre don't get much airtime in guidebooks (or even from the locals) but there are some great finds: Little Africa on Sam Leong Road (CLE Restaurant is the gathering place for many Africans in Singapore), and the Heng Hwa (a Chinese regional minority, known for their seafood) restaurants along Kitchener Road.
Internet cafes of varying quality are concentrated in Dunlop Street and along Serangoon Road. The handful of telecommunications shops with the 'STD/ISD' signs offer discounted long distance phone calls without the need for phone cards or mobile phones.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Singapore Entertainment
Singapore - Entertainment
There's a lively bar and club scene. Areas that come to life after dark are Tanjong Pagar, Mohammed Sultan Road, Boat Quay, Orchard Road, and Pasir Panjang village. Drinks are fairly expensive but most bars have happy hours. Clubs are plentiful but can be subdued compared to those in other major cities.
The Singapore Street Festival takes place around Orchard Road in the first two weeks of June. There are displays from stunt bikers, in-line skaters, skateboarders, fashion parades and mural painting competitions.
Albert Mall hosts a two week Dumpling Festival at the start of June. Thousands of dumplings - packets of rice wrapped in bamboo leaves - get eaten.
There's an International Guitar Festival in September which provides five days of concerts, masterclasses and seminars.
WOMAD at the end of August is a festival of music and dance from around the world and brings in performers from Cuba, Algeria, France, South Africa, South Pacific, India, the UK, Italy and Madagascar.
Singapore's National Day on August 9th is celebrated with fireworks, military parades and displays.
The Singapore Arts Festival lasts throughout June and has a bit of everything from Asian and Western dance, theatre and music.
The Singapore Food Festival is a month long celebration of eating in March when there are masses of food themed events and lots of sampling to be done.
Thaipusam in February is a Hindu demonstration of mind over matter. Penitents attach large metal frames called kavadis to their bodies with hooks and spikes and take part in a processions from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to Sri Thandayuthapani Temple.
The Great Singapore Duck Race in November sees thousands of plastic ducks battling it out on the Singapore River. To enter you need to adopt a duck for S$10, the prize for the winner is S$10,000.
The Singapore River Buskers' Festival is in November and a feast of juggling, miming, acrobatics and music.
Deepavali the Indian festival of lights, takes place from October to November and is celebrated in Little India.
Gay and Lesbian
Homosexual activity is illegal in Singapore. Although prosecutions are rare and there is growing tolerance of gays and lesbians, discretion is essential. Gay bars and clubs do exist and the scene has expanded greatly over the past few years. Vincent's lounge on Orchard Road is the oldest gay bar and known for attracting a mature, international and well behaved crowd.
There's a lively bar and club scene. Areas that come to life after dark are Tanjong Pagar, Mohammed Sultan Road, Boat Quay, Orchard Road, and Pasir Panjang village. Drinks are fairly expensive but most bars have happy hours. Clubs are plentiful but can be subdued compared to those in other major cities.
The Singapore Street Festival takes place around Orchard Road in the first two weeks of June. There are displays from stunt bikers, in-line skaters, skateboarders, fashion parades and mural painting competitions.
Albert Mall hosts a two week Dumpling Festival at the start of June. Thousands of dumplings - packets of rice wrapped in bamboo leaves - get eaten.
There's an International Guitar Festival in September which provides five days of concerts, masterclasses and seminars.
WOMAD at the end of August is a festival of music and dance from around the world and brings in performers from Cuba, Algeria, France, South Africa, South Pacific, India, the UK, Italy and Madagascar.
Singapore's National Day on August 9th is celebrated with fireworks, military parades and displays.
The Singapore Arts Festival lasts throughout June and has a bit of everything from Asian and Western dance, theatre and music.
The Singapore Food Festival is a month long celebration of eating in March when there are masses of food themed events and lots of sampling to be done.
Thaipusam in February is a Hindu demonstration of mind over matter. Penitents attach large metal frames called kavadis to their bodies with hooks and spikes and take part in a processions from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to Sri Thandayuthapani Temple.
The Great Singapore Duck Race in November sees thousands of plastic ducks battling it out on the Singapore River. To enter you need to adopt a duck for S$10, the prize for the winner is S$10,000.
The Singapore River Buskers' Festival is in November and a feast of juggling, miming, acrobatics and music.
Deepavali the Indian festival of lights, takes place from October to November and is celebrated in Little India.
Gay and Lesbian
Homosexual activity is illegal in Singapore. Although prosecutions are rare and there is growing tolerance of gays and lesbians, discretion is essential. Gay bars and clubs do exist and the scene has expanded greatly over the past few years. Vincent's lounge on Orchard Road is the oldest gay bar and known for attracting a mature, international and well behaved crowd.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Planning a Singapore Vacation
Planning a Trip
The seasoned traveler typically has as many stories of travel nightmares as he does of glorious experiences -- your luggage gets sent to Timbuktu, your hotel reservations get mixed up, and your taxi driver takes you to Lord-knows-where. The good news about traveling to Singapore? This place works. A seamless communications infrastructure means that you can plan your own trip, without a middleman travel agent, and still have everything go as smoothly as if you were on an organized coach tour. Reliable phone lines, fax technology, and Internet presence makes advance planning a breeze. Of course, it helps that so many Singaporeans speak English. Additionally, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is a wealthy and well-oiled machine that has anticipated the needs of travelers.
The STB is perhaps one of the most visible government agencies in Singapore, and it's impossible for any tourist to get out of the country without encountering at least one of its many publications or postings or coming face-to-face with one of its innumerable representatives. If you have access to one of its offices before your trip, it's a great source of information.
In this section, I'll run through the nuts and bolts of travel to Singapore, letting you in on everything from how much your money will buy to the best time of year to travel, what to wear, how to get here, and how to find your way around.
Destination: Singapore -- Red Alert Checklist
Visitors from the U.S., Canada, the U.K, Australia, and New Zealand can obtain a visa upon arrival, provided they carry a passport valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. Singapore does not require any vaccinations to enter the country, unless you've been traveling in Africa or South America within 6 days of arrival, in which case you'll need a certificate that shows you've been vaccinated against Yellow Fever.
It is advised to book your hotel and travel arrangements prior to arrival, especially if you are traveling anywhere in Asia from mid-December through to the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which is super-peak season. Because Chinese holidays follow the lunar calendar, they fall on different dates each year. In 2005 Chinese New Year began on February 9th. In 2006 it will start on January 29th, and in 2007 on February 18th.
Did you make sure your favorite attraction is open? Many children's activities are open only on weekends, public holidays, and during school holidays (which in Singapore fall between mid-May and the end of June, and again from mid-Nov through the end of Dec). If you're traveling from mid-December through to the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year, please be advised that many mom & pop businesses, shops, and eateries close for anywhere between 3 days and 2 weeks. Larger stores and main attractions will remain open, sometimes for shorter hours.
If you purchased traveler's checks, have you recorded the check numbers and stored the documentation separately from the checks?
Do you have a safe, accessible place to store money?
Did you bring adequate supplies of any prescription drugs you are taking? Local pharmacies will not dispense drugs with foreign prescriptions.
Do you have your credit card PIN?
If you have an E-ticket, do you have your printed confirmation slip?
Did you leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home?
Do you have a photocopy of the identification page of your passport?
Do you have the address and phone number of your country's embassy with you?
The seasoned traveler typically has as many stories of travel nightmares as he does of glorious experiences -- your luggage gets sent to Timbuktu, your hotel reservations get mixed up, and your taxi driver takes you to Lord-knows-where. The good news about traveling to Singapore? This place works. A seamless communications infrastructure means that you can plan your own trip, without a middleman travel agent, and still have everything go as smoothly as if you were on an organized coach tour. Reliable phone lines, fax technology, and Internet presence makes advance planning a breeze. Of course, it helps that so many Singaporeans speak English. Additionally, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is a wealthy and well-oiled machine that has anticipated the needs of travelers.
The STB is perhaps one of the most visible government agencies in Singapore, and it's impossible for any tourist to get out of the country without encountering at least one of its many publications or postings or coming face-to-face with one of its innumerable representatives. If you have access to one of its offices before your trip, it's a great source of information.
In this section, I'll run through the nuts and bolts of travel to Singapore, letting you in on everything from how much your money will buy to the best time of year to travel, what to wear, how to get here, and how to find your way around.
Destination: Singapore -- Red Alert Checklist
Visitors from the U.S., Canada, the U.K, Australia, and New Zealand can obtain a visa upon arrival, provided they carry a passport valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. Singapore does not require any vaccinations to enter the country, unless you've been traveling in Africa or South America within 6 days of arrival, in which case you'll need a certificate that shows you've been vaccinated against Yellow Fever.
It is advised to book your hotel and travel arrangements prior to arrival, especially if you are traveling anywhere in Asia from mid-December through to the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which is super-peak season. Because Chinese holidays follow the lunar calendar, they fall on different dates each year. In 2005 Chinese New Year began on February 9th. In 2006 it will start on January 29th, and in 2007 on February 18th.
Did you make sure your favorite attraction is open? Many children's activities are open only on weekends, public holidays, and during school holidays (which in Singapore fall between mid-May and the end of June, and again from mid-Nov through the end of Dec). If you're traveling from mid-December through to the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year, please be advised that many mom & pop businesses, shops, and eateries close for anywhere between 3 days and 2 weeks. Larger stores and main attractions will remain open, sometimes for shorter hours.
If you purchased traveler's checks, have you recorded the check numbers and stored the documentation separately from the checks?
Do you have a safe, accessible place to store money?
Did you bring adequate supplies of any prescription drugs you are taking? Local pharmacies will not dispense drugs with foreign prescriptions.
Do you have your credit card PIN?
If you have an E-ticket, do you have your printed confirmation slip?
Did you leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home?
Do you have a photocopy of the identification page of your passport?
Do you have the address and phone number of your country's embassy with you?
Monday, May 28, 2007
Singapore Guide
Malaysia Vacation guide is your one stop source of trusted updated information to Visit Malaysia.
Driving In From Malaysia
Here are some requirements for foreign-registered cars entering Singapore:
(a) Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and Toll Charges
Foreign motorists are required to pay tolls and a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) charge at the checkpoints when they drive into Singapore. Payments have to be made using an electronic smartcard called the Autopass Card.
Autopass Cards are sold at the primary clearance/immigration booths or VEP/Tolls office at Singapore checkpoints. Motorists are required to produce valid road tax discs and insurance certificates for their cars when purchasing the Autopass Card. VEP fees are charged at SGD 20 per day, Monday to Friday (from 0200 hrs to 1700 hrs).
There are no VEP charges on Saturdays, Sundays, all Singapore Public Holidays, and weekdays from 1700 hrs to 0200 hrs. Toll charges are calculated on a per trip basis. Car drivers must pay toll charges on arrival and departure from the Tuas Checkpoint (SGD 3.70 per trip) but only on departure at the Woodlands Checkpoint (SGD 1.20 per trip). On the other hand, motorcyclists are not charged at the Woodlands Checkpoint. However, they must pay SGD 0.60 when departing and/or arriving into Singapore via the Tuas Checkpoint.
The toll charges are as follows.
In Singapore
Via Cars Motorcycles
Causeway (Woodlands) departing from Singapore SGD 1.20 not charged
Second Link (Tuas) departing from and arriving in Singapore SGD 3.70 SGD 0.60
In Malaysia
Via Cars Motorcycles
Causeway (Woodlands) when arriving in Malaysia RM 2.60 not charged
Second Link (Tuas) departing from and arriving in Malaysia RM 8.80 RM 1
Toll payments in Singapore are by the Autopass Card. Payment for tolls in Malaysia is by cash.
For more information, please refer to FAQs on driving into Singapore or visit the Land Transport Authority website (click on Motoring Matters, Guide to Driving Into and Out of Singapore).
(b) Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)
All motorists driving into the city or travelling on certain major roads and expressways are required to pay an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) fee during the ERP operating hours. ERP is a scheme to help keep Singapore roads congestion-free.
For foreign motorists intending to pass through ERP-priced roads during its operational hours, they can either choose to install or rent an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) to pay ERP fees.
For those who do not wish to rent or install an IU, the option of paying a fixed ERP fee is available whereby, regardless of the number of times one passes an ERP gantry, SGD 5 will be deducted per day. This will be paid together with the VEP and toll charges via the Autopass card when departing from Singapore. This fixed fee scheme started on from 1 September 2003 onwards and is only applicable for those who do not have an IU installed in their foreign-registered cars.
Driving In From Malaysia
Here are some requirements for foreign-registered cars entering Singapore:
(a) Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and Toll Charges
Foreign motorists are required to pay tolls and a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) charge at the checkpoints when they drive into Singapore. Payments have to be made using an electronic smartcard called the Autopass Card.
Autopass Cards are sold at the primary clearance/immigration booths or VEP/Tolls office at Singapore checkpoints. Motorists are required to produce valid road tax discs and insurance certificates for their cars when purchasing the Autopass Card. VEP fees are charged at SGD 20 per day, Monday to Friday (from 0200 hrs to 1700 hrs).
There are no VEP charges on Saturdays, Sundays, all Singapore Public Holidays, and weekdays from 1700 hrs to 0200 hrs. Toll charges are calculated on a per trip basis. Car drivers must pay toll charges on arrival and departure from the Tuas Checkpoint (SGD 3.70 per trip) but only on departure at the Woodlands Checkpoint (SGD 1.20 per trip). On the other hand, motorcyclists are not charged at the Woodlands Checkpoint. However, they must pay SGD 0.60 when departing and/or arriving into Singapore via the Tuas Checkpoint.
The toll charges are as follows.
In Singapore
Via Cars Motorcycles
Causeway (Woodlands) departing from Singapore SGD 1.20 not charged
Second Link (Tuas) departing from and arriving in Singapore SGD 3.70 SGD 0.60
In Malaysia
Via Cars Motorcycles
Causeway (Woodlands) when arriving in Malaysia RM 2.60 not charged
Second Link (Tuas) departing from and arriving in Malaysia RM 8.80 RM 1
Toll payments in Singapore are by the Autopass Card. Payment for tolls in Malaysia is by cash.
For more information, please refer to FAQs on driving into Singapore or visit the Land Transport Authority website (click on Motoring Matters, Guide to Driving Into and Out of Singapore).
(b) Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)
All motorists driving into the city or travelling on certain major roads and expressways are required to pay an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) fee during the ERP operating hours. ERP is a scheme to help keep Singapore roads congestion-free.
For foreign motorists intending to pass through ERP-priced roads during its operational hours, they can either choose to install or rent an In-Vehicle Unit (IU) to pay ERP fees.
For those who do not wish to rent or install an IU, the option of paying a fixed ERP fee is available whereby, regardless of the number of times one passes an ERP gantry, SGD 5 will be deducted per day. This will be paid together with the VEP and toll charges via the Autopass card when departing from Singapore. This fixed fee scheme started on from 1 September 2003 onwards and is only applicable for those who do not have an IU installed in their foreign-registered cars.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Singapore Adventure
Singapore Travel Guide
I could spend a lifetime exploring Singapore. I'm in awe of the cultural mysteries and exotic beauty of the city's old mosques and temples. As I pass the facades of buildings that mark history, I get nostalgic for old tales of colonial romance. Towering overhead, present-day Singapore glistens with the wealth of modern miracles. And when I smell incense and spice and jasmine swirling in wet topical breezes, I can close my eyes and know exactly where I am.
The longer I stay in Singapore, new curiosities present themselves to me. Singapore thrives on a history that has absorbed a multitude of foreign elements over almost 2 centuries, melding them into a unique modern national identity. Beginning with the landing of Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, add to the mix the original Malay inhabitants, immigrating waves of Chinese traders and workers, Indian businessmen and laborers, Arab merchants, British colonials, European adventure-seekers, and an assortment of Southeast Asian settlers -- this tiny island rose from the ingenuity of those who worked and lived together here. Today, all recognize each group's importance to the heritage of the land, each adding unique contributions to a culture and identity we know as Singaporean.
I'll confess, many travelers complain to me about how westernized Singapore is. For many, a vacation in Asia should be filled with culture shock, unfamiliar traditions, and curious adventures. Today's travel philosophy seems to be that the more underdeveloped and obscure a country is, the more "authentic" the experience will be. But poor Singapore -- all those lovely opium-stained coolies and toothless rickshaw pullers are now driving BMWs and exchanging cellular phone numbers. How could anyone possibly find this place so fascinating?
With all its shopping malls, fast-food outlets, imported fashion, and steel skyscrapers, Singapore could look like any other contemporary city you've ever visited -- but to peel through the layers is to understand that life here is far more complex. While the outer layers are startlingly Western, just underneath lies a curious area where East blends with West in language, cuisine, attitude, and style. At the core, you'll find a sensibility rooted in the cultural heritage of values, religion, superstition, and memory. In Singapore, nothing is ever as it appears to be.
For me this is where the fascination begins. I detect so many things familiar in this city, only to discover how these imported ideas have been altered to fit the local identity. Like the Singaporean shophouse -- a jumble of colonial architectural mandates, European tastes, Chinese superstitions, and Malay finery. Or "Singlish," the unofficial local tongue, which combines English language with Chinese grammar, common Malay phrases, and Hokkien slang to form a patois unique to this part of the world. This transformation of cultures has been going on for almost 2 centuries. So, in a sense, Singapore is no different today than it was 100 years ago. And in this I find my "authentic" travel experience.
When the urban jungle gets me crazy, I escape to Malaysia. Even Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, seems relaxed in comparison to Singapore. In fact, many Singaporeans look to their northern neighbor for the perfect vacation, taking advantage of its pristine and exciting national forests and marine parks, relaxing on picture-perfect beaches in either sophisticated resorts or quaint bungalows, taking in culture in its small towns, shopping for inexpensive handicrafts, or eating some of the finest food in Southeast Asia. Malaysia offers something for everyone -- history, culture, adventure, romance, mystery, nature, and relaxation -- without the glaring buzz of an overdeveloped tourism industry. It almost makes me overjoyed that few tourists venture here.
My favorite part of Malaysia, however, is the warmth of its people. I have yet to travel in this country without collecting remarkable tales of hospitality, openness, and generosity. I've found the Malaysian people to be genuine in their approach to foreign visitors, another fine byproduct of the underdeveloped tourism industry. For those who want to find a nice little corner of paradise, Malaysia could be your answer.
I've crept down alleys, wandered the streets of cities and towns, combed beaches, and trekked jungles to seek out the most exciting things that Singapore and Malaysia have to offer. In this volume I've presented the sights and attractions of these countries with insight into historical, cultural, and modern significance to bring you a complete appreciation of all you are about to experience. I've peeked in every shop door, chatting up the local characters inside. I've eaten local food until I can't move. I've stayed out all night. I've done it all and written about it here. I can only hope you will love Singapore and Malaysia as much as I do.
I could spend a lifetime exploring Singapore. I'm in awe of the cultural mysteries and exotic beauty of the city's old mosques and temples. As I pass the facades of buildings that mark history, I get nostalgic for old tales of colonial romance. Towering overhead, present-day Singapore glistens with the wealth of modern miracles. And when I smell incense and spice and jasmine swirling in wet topical breezes, I can close my eyes and know exactly where I am.
The longer I stay in Singapore, new curiosities present themselves to me. Singapore thrives on a history that has absorbed a multitude of foreign elements over almost 2 centuries, melding them into a unique modern national identity. Beginning with the landing of Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, add to the mix the original Malay inhabitants, immigrating waves of Chinese traders and workers, Indian businessmen and laborers, Arab merchants, British colonials, European adventure-seekers, and an assortment of Southeast Asian settlers -- this tiny island rose from the ingenuity of those who worked and lived together here. Today, all recognize each group's importance to the heritage of the land, each adding unique contributions to a culture and identity we know as Singaporean.
I'll confess, many travelers complain to me about how westernized Singapore is. For many, a vacation in Asia should be filled with culture shock, unfamiliar traditions, and curious adventures. Today's travel philosophy seems to be that the more underdeveloped and obscure a country is, the more "authentic" the experience will be. But poor Singapore -- all those lovely opium-stained coolies and toothless rickshaw pullers are now driving BMWs and exchanging cellular phone numbers. How could anyone possibly find this place so fascinating?
With all its shopping malls, fast-food outlets, imported fashion, and steel skyscrapers, Singapore could look like any other contemporary city you've ever visited -- but to peel through the layers is to understand that life here is far more complex. While the outer layers are startlingly Western, just underneath lies a curious area where East blends with West in language, cuisine, attitude, and style. At the core, you'll find a sensibility rooted in the cultural heritage of values, religion, superstition, and memory. In Singapore, nothing is ever as it appears to be.
For me this is where the fascination begins. I detect so many things familiar in this city, only to discover how these imported ideas have been altered to fit the local identity. Like the Singaporean shophouse -- a jumble of colonial architectural mandates, European tastes, Chinese superstitions, and Malay finery. Or "Singlish," the unofficial local tongue, which combines English language with Chinese grammar, common Malay phrases, and Hokkien slang to form a patois unique to this part of the world. This transformation of cultures has been going on for almost 2 centuries. So, in a sense, Singapore is no different today than it was 100 years ago. And in this I find my "authentic" travel experience.
When the urban jungle gets me crazy, I escape to Malaysia. Even Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, seems relaxed in comparison to Singapore. In fact, many Singaporeans look to their northern neighbor for the perfect vacation, taking advantage of its pristine and exciting national forests and marine parks, relaxing on picture-perfect beaches in either sophisticated resorts or quaint bungalows, taking in culture in its small towns, shopping for inexpensive handicrafts, or eating some of the finest food in Southeast Asia. Malaysia offers something for everyone -- history, culture, adventure, romance, mystery, nature, and relaxation -- without the glaring buzz of an overdeveloped tourism industry. It almost makes me overjoyed that few tourists venture here.
My favorite part of Malaysia, however, is the warmth of its people. I have yet to travel in this country without collecting remarkable tales of hospitality, openness, and generosity. I've found the Malaysian people to be genuine in their approach to foreign visitors, another fine byproduct of the underdeveloped tourism industry. For those who want to find a nice little corner of paradise, Malaysia could be your answer.
I've crept down alleys, wandered the streets of cities and towns, combed beaches, and trekked jungles to seek out the most exciting things that Singapore and Malaysia have to offer. In this volume I've presented the sights and attractions of these countries with insight into historical, cultural, and modern significance to bring you a complete appreciation of all you are about to experience. I've peeked in every shop door, chatting up the local characters inside. I've eaten local food until I can't move. I've stayed out all night. I've done it all and written about it here. I can only hope you will love Singapore and Malaysia as much as I do.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Singapore Travel Tales
I made up an excuse to go to Singapore - buy a digital camera. Not that Singapore has any great bargains in that department, but the model I was buying, a Sony F707 was selling for about $200 US less than in Bangkok, so that savings would at least pay for my air ticket and hotel. But why travel alone? Hello, old girlfriend! Want to go to Singapore for the weekend? You do? Great. And that was that. So much for saving any money - might as well make a holiday out of it.
Ning dutifully picked up a copy of a Singapore guidebook written in Thai and proceeded to educate herself about Singapore far better than I would, though Rough Guide does make a handy little guidebook, "The Mini Rough Guide to Singapore". I can imagine the publishers sitting around their London office, deep in thought, index fingers placed to their mouths, "hmm, we shall call it... Mini Rough".
Being just after the Chinese New Year and a holiday weekend in Thailand, some Buddhist holiday I know not what, the plane was fully booked, and Don Muang, Bangkok's International Airport, was crowded as could be.
So with a bit of mayhem leaving Thailand I could only imagine what might await in Singapore. We landed at Changi and got our first taste of Singaporean efficiency. Never in my life have I cleared immigration, picked up checked bags, and exited an airport on an international arrival so fast as at Changi. It couldn't have been more than ten minutes from exiting the airplane to entering a taxi. I was very impressed.
The taxi was a nice comfy Mercedes that cost the same as any other taxi. Riding to the center of Singapore I was again impressed by what I saw - trees, gardens, nicely landscaped grounds around the expressway. And many colorful buildings. Though almost gaudy at times, I came to like the colorful paint schemes that characterize so much of the architecture in Singapore. Pastel colors of every shade of the rainbow and then some as each building in a row adopts a different shade. I quite liked it.
We stayed at the Miramar. It was a little more of a hotel than either one of us required but the whole thing came on a package and given the high price of hotel rooms in Singapore, if we had just tried walking in to a cheaper place, the savings would likely not have been significant.
Checked in, we then went for a long walk with the ultimate goal of purchasing a digital camera. Ning would then choose Sunday's activities and Monday we'd probably just go shopping or something.
So we walked around a bit, and yes, the streets and sidewalks are clean, but not that clean. There is garbage lying about though not very much. And I did step on something gooey - was it chewing gum? Well, it was kind of black and dirty, so I'm not really sure what it was.
Squeaky clean censored Singapore? Not at the House of Condom, Lucky Plaza
Let me clear something up. I, too, had heard all the stories of Singapore being a bit of police state with fines for this that and the other thing and certainly one would expect to see plenty of police about, right? Wrong. In the forty-eight or so hours we were in Singapore I saw only two police officers. One was riding a motorcycle around Sentosa Island and the other I saw standing next to his motorcycle along the expressway as we returned to the airport on Monday afternoon. I could have spat, chewed, and tossed litter all I wanted. Than there's that thing about flushing toilets. Well, all the public restrooms I ever used were automatic flush anyway. And no, Singapore public restrooms aren't all that clean. Certainly cleaner than, say, China, but nothing to get excited over - assuming then, that one gets excited over spotlessly clean public restrooms in the first place.
Anyway, we wandered closer to downtown Singapore all the while I was noticing something else pleasant about Singapore - the cars actually yield to pedestrians in crosswalks!!!!! That's an Asian first! Well, second, if I recall in Hong Kong they also tended to yield to pedestrians, but then again when a swarm of two hundred people pours into the street when the light changes one doesn't have a whole lot of options other than to stop. But here, it could be just the two of us readying to step into the street and whatever car was preparing to turn would hold that thought until we were out of the way.
We walked around some more before stumbling into one of the large electronics shopping malls on Bencolen Street. Here I haggled over prices employing the tried and tested bargaining tactic of walking away when dissatisfied with the price, for surely they'd chase after me offering a lower price. Nope. They just went back to doing whatever it was they were doing, perfectly content to have me walk away as far as I wanted. Not ready to make a purchase here, we jumped into a cab and went over to Orchard Road and the Lucky Plaza where I eventually made my purchase for the same amount of money as if I had bought the camera back on Bencolen Street. In the basement of Lucky Plaza is a good food court and we ate plenty.
Sri Mariamman Hindu
Temple in Chinatown
As Gordon had a new toy he wasn't about to do anything but play with this new toy so that finished off the day for sight-seeing, but it was already after seven in the evening, anyway. And still daylight. Being an hour ahead of Thailand and Cambodia the sun sets later in Singapore and it really did feel odd to both of us to have sunlight to well past 7:30 pm.
Day two. More walking. We went first to the Chinatown area and popped into the Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple. Yes, you just read Chinatown and Hindu temple in the same sentence. We quickly came to the mutual determination that we had seen better Chinatowns elsewhere. Probably because both of us have been to China already.
So, Ning, it's your day, what do you want to do? Museums? Galleries? Culture? Oh, Sentosa Island, Singapore's answer to Disneyland.
Actually Sentosa was good for a laugh. We took the cable car over giving us a nice expansive view of the Singapore port with the skyline of downtown Singapore beyond it. It's a pricey place to go and some of the attractions struck me as perfectly silly, Volcanoland??, but Underwater World had some interesting fish to look at. Piranhas grow that big! The entrance ticket to Underwater World includes a dolphin show at Dolphin Lagoon, so we boarded the bus and zipped to the other side of the island, where we were treated to a brief, and I do mean, brief, dolphin show.
Then it was back to the main island. Dinner at Boat Quay, a long strip of over-priced restaurants offering alfresco dining. We chose some Indonesian place that was quite good, never mind the cost. Remember folks, most of my eating is in Cambodia and Thailand.
The final day was spent wandering about Orchard Road shopping malls looking at a lot of expensive things and not buying them, except for a watch, but that was her money.
Ning dutifully picked up a copy of a Singapore guidebook written in Thai and proceeded to educate herself about Singapore far better than I would, though Rough Guide does make a handy little guidebook, "The Mini Rough Guide to Singapore". I can imagine the publishers sitting around their London office, deep in thought, index fingers placed to their mouths, "hmm, we shall call it... Mini Rough".
Being just after the Chinese New Year and a holiday weekend in Thailand, some Buddhist holiday I know not what, the plane was fully booked, and Don Muang, Bangkok's International Airport, was crowded as could be.
So with a bit of mayhem leaving Thailand I could only imagine what might await in Singapore. We landed at Changi and got our first taste of Singaporean efficiency. Never in my life have I cleared immigration, picked up checked bags, and exited an airport on an international arrival so fast as at Changi. It couldn't have been more than ten minutes from exiting the airplane to entering a taxi. I was very impressed.
The taxi was a nice comfy Mercedes that cost the same as any other taxi. Riding to the center of Singapore I was again impressed by what I saw - trees, gardens, nicely landscaped grounds around the expressway. And many colorful buildings. Though almost gaudy at times, I came to like the colorful paint schemes that characterize so much of the architecture in Singapore. Pastel colors of every shade of the rainbow and then some as each building in a row adopts a different shade. I quite liked it.
We stayed at the Miramar. It was a little more of a hotel than either one of us required but the whole thing came on a package and given the high price of hotel rooms in Singapore, if we had just tried walking in to a cheaper place, the savings would likely not have been significant.
Checked in, we then went for a long walk with the ultimate goal of purchasing a digital camera. Ning would then choose Sunday's activities and Monday we'd probably just go shopping or something.
So we walked around a bit, and yes, the streets and sidewalks are clean, but not that clean. There is garbage lying about though not very much. And I did step on something gooey - was it chewing gum? Well, it was kind of black and dirty, so I'm not really sure what it was.
Squeaky clean censored Singapore? Not at the House of Condom, Lucky Plaza
Let me clear something up. I, too, had heard all the stories of Singapore being a bit of police state with fines for this that and the other thing and certainly one would expect to see plenty of police about, right? Wrong. In the forty-eight or so hours we were in Singapore I saw only two police officers. One was riding a motorcycle around Sentosa Island and the other I saw standing next to his motorcycle along the expressway as we returned to the airport on Monday afternoon. I could have spat, chewed, and tossed litter all I wanted. Than there's that thing about flushing toilets. Well, all the public restrooms I ever used were automatic flush anyway. And no, Singapore public restrooms aren't all that clean. Certainly cleaner than, say, China, but nothing to get excited over - assuming then, that one gets excited over spotlessly clean public restrooms in the first place.
Anyway, we wandered closer to downtown Singapore all the while I was noticing something else pleasant about Singapore - the cars actually yield to pedestrians in crosswalks!!!!! That's an Asian first! Well, second, if I recall in Hong Kong they also tended to yield to pedestrians, but then again when a swarm of two hundred people pours into the street when the light changes one doesn't have a whole lot of options other than to stop. But here, it could be just the two of us readying to step into the street and whatever car was preparing to turn would hold that thought until we were out of the way.
We walked around some more before stumbling into one of the large electronics shopping malls on Bencolen Street. Here I haggled over prices employing the tried and tested bargaining tactic of walking away when dissatisfied with the price, for surely they'd chase after me offering a lower price. Nope. They just went back to doing whatever it was they were doing, perfectly content to have me walk away as far as I wanted. Not ready to make a purchase here, we jumped into a cab and went over to Orchard Road and the Lucky Plaza where I eventually made my purchase for the same amount of money as if I had bought the camera back on Bencolen Street. In the basement of Lucky Plaza is a good food court and we ate plenty.
Sri Mariamman Hindu
Temple in Chinatown
As Gordon had a new toy he wasn't about to do anything but play with this new toy so that finished off the day for sight-seeing, but it was already after seven in the evening, anyway. And still daylight. Being an hour ahead of Thailand and Cambodia the sun sets later in Singapore and it really did feel odd to both of us to have sunlight to well past 7:30 pm.
Day two. More walking. We went first to the Chinatown area and popped into the Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple. Yes, you just read Chinatown and Hindu temple in the same sentence. We quickly came to the mutual determination that we had seen better Chinatowns elsewhere. Probably because both of us have been to China already.
So, Ning, it's your day, what do you want to do? Museums? Galleries? Culture? Oh, Sentosa Island, Singapore's answer to Disneyland.
Actually Sentosa was good for a laugh. We took the cable car over giving us a nice expansive view of the Singapore port with the skyline of downtown Singapore beyond it. It's a pricey place to go and some of the attractions struck me as perfectly silly, Volcanoland??, but Underwater World had some interesting fish to look at. Piranhas grow that big! The entrance ticket to Underwater World includes a dolphin show at Dolphin Lagoon, so we boarded the bus and zipped to the other side of the island, where we were treated to a brief, and I do mean, brief, dolphin show.
Then it was back to the main island. Dinner at Boat Quay, a long strip of over-priced restaurants offering alfresco dining. We chose some Indonesian place that was quite good, never mind the cost. Remember folks, most of my eating is in Cambodia and Thailand.
The final day was spent wandering about Orchard Road shopping malls looking at a lot of expensive things and not buying them, except for a watch, but that was her money.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
