Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
Singapore
A tiny country located just 85 miles north of the equator and measuring only 280 square miles (725 square km), slightly larger than Merseyside.
A tiger economy, spotlessly clean but very hot and humid - thankfully air conditioning abounds.
Getting There
Singapore is served by Changi airport but it isn't any old airport, it's arguably the best airport in the world and an attraction in its own right, especially once you get airside.
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Arrival is an amazing, efficient experience. When we arrived it was just 38 minutes from touchdown on the runway to our transfer car leaving the kerbside at the airport. This included immigration clearance, baggage reclaim and arranging transport to the city.
When leaving Singapore our flight was not leaving until 23:00 but we arrived at midday and still didn't get a chance to explore everything on offer at the airport.
There are several stunning gardens including an exotic orchid garden and a sunflower garden, There are dynamic sculptures - the dancing raindrops is mesmeric.
There is even a free cinema. there are free massage machines and the shops will sell anything legal.
The different facilities are spread across all four terminals but once through security you can freely travel between all four terminals using the internal transit system.
With most major airlines you can check your bags in up to 12 hours before your flight.
If only all airports followed the Changi model then flying would be far less stressful.
Getting to the airport is simple and cheap, catching the efficient metro system costs around $2 (£1.11) for a single journey.
A taxi to the city centre, metered, costs between $20 - $40 (£11.10 - £22.20)
Best of all is the option we went for, a private limousine transfer to anywhere in the city costing $55 (£30.57) for a four seater vehicle or $60 (£33.35). If you're feeling sociable and don't mind sharing and a longer trip a shuttle transfer costs $9 (£5) a head, calling at most downtown hotels.
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Getting Around
Singapore has an extremely efficient, clean and cheap public transport system.
Six metro lines cover anywhere you would want to travel.
Payment is by using a prepaid Ex-link card, similar to London's Oyster.
Better value is a tourist card, valid for 1, 2 or 3 days, costing $10, $16 or $20 (£5.56, £8.89, £11.12) respectively.
These offer unlimited travel on metro and bus services.
What To See
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If you want to learn about the history of Singapore, from the days of British colonialism through to independence and developing into one of the planets major commercial centres then the National Museum of Singapore will tell the story.
The Singapore River is at the heart of the city, passing historic wharfs and the bars and restaurants of Clarke Quay, then passing the towering buildings of the financial district and the best way to explore the river is on a 40 minute riverboat trip.
Clarke Quay is a major redevelopment of the old wharfs and is where locals and tourists gather to have a drink or meal with restaurants covering all tastes and wallets.
The city is a melting pot of ethnic groups and religions.
The Thian Hock Keng Temple was built in 1839 and is the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore.
Built by chines builders, using materials from China, the building is constructed without any nails being used.
Open daily from 07:30 - 17:30 admission is free.
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The Sultan Mosque dates back to 1824 is built in the style of a typical south-east Asian mosque and its construction was party funded by the East India Company.
During the month of Ramadan, after sunset stalls appear outside the mosque selling Malay treats.
The most impressive of the religious buildings has to be the Sri Veeramakalimmam Temple in Little India (pictured).
Built by Indian labourers the Hindu temple has to be seen to be believed and the ornate roof almost defies description - the sort of place you stand open mouthed in amazement and awe.
Founded in 1859 the Singapore Botanic Gardens are said to be the finest in south east Asia and are the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Singapore.
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Take plenty of water if you visit as it is incredibly humid but the gardens are lovely. Midweek, the gardens are an oasis of calm and an escape from the frenetic city centre, at weekends and public holidays locals flock here and it is very crowded.
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The National Orchid Garden is located in the centre of the gardens and it has a stunning display of over 1,000 orchid species and over 2,000 hybrids.
The Orchid Gardens are the only gardens in the city to charge an admission but at $5 (£2.78) for adults and $1 (56p) for seniors it won't break the bank and, frankly, is worth every penny.
Top Tip - bring your water with you, it's cheaper to buy in town than in the gardens.
Singapore Zoo is one of the worlds better zoos, they have done away with cages and the animals live in as near natural conditions as is possible in a captive environment.
Very popular is the after dark Night Safari, which allows visitors to view the zoos nocturnal species.
The River Safari recreates some of the worlds great rivers, including the Nile and Amazon.
The more outstanding exhibits include a colony of 80 baboons, a free ranging orangutan exhibition and a giant panda forest.
I know zoos cause great controversy and there are some terrible examples round the world - this one does everything it can to allow its animals to live in as near natural conditions as possible.
Marina Bay is an amazing location, built on reclaimed land.
The Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore's top tourist attractions, with its iconic artificial trees, which provide a brilliant light show at night.
There are real plants as well, over a million of them in fact.
Throw in two biodomes, plenty of free events and countless eateries it is a great place to visit.
The area is home to an ArtScience Museum built in the shape of a lotus flower and the bay is home to the obligatory big wheel, known here as the Singapore Flyer, the largest observational wheel in Asia, standing 541 feet (165 m) tall, bigger than the London Eye
The Bay skyline is dominated by the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, one of the worlds iconic hotels.
Its three towers topped by a boat shape roof (wider than the Eifel Tower is high)
The roof has an infinity pool, available for hotel guests only.
The roof has a number of bars and restaurants - not cheap but they offer dining with stunning views.
Talking of iconic hotels Singapore is also home to Raffles Hotel, named after the founder of Singapore.
The hotel has just undergone a major renovation and it offers style and sophistication, at a price. It is also the home of the famous cocktail the Singapore Sling, although arguably better versions are available a lot cheaper elsewhere - including the roof of Marina Bay Sands.
The island of Sentosa is known locally as pleasure island and its where the locals go to relax. Spas, gold courses and man made beaches dominate - don't forget the factor 50 though!!!
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Unsurprisingly Singapore has a large Chinatown area and it is probably as near as you will get to authentic China without travelling to China.
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Slightly ore surprising is the large Indian community in Singapore and they are located in Little India supposedly like India but without the cows walking down the street. Window shopping is interesting especially the goldsmiths, where the jewellery is sold by weight.
Bordering Marina Bay is the old Colonial District, which shows Singapore is more than just skyscrapers. Here you get a feel for how the place was in colonial times.
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I have to say my brief stay in Singapore was amazing. I'm the sort of person who very rarely visits somewhere more than once - Singapore is one of those places I would happily visit again.
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