http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25999 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25999 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20086 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20086 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19890 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19890 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19889 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19889 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19886 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19886 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19883
Dessert is a must, particularly one of the soufflés or the hot chocolate cake.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19883 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19882 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19882 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19881 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19881 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19880 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19880 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19873
The best place for lunch or dinner with an exotic feel is Newton Place Hawker Centre, where it's easy to park and even easier to get a cab. It is only a stone's throw from Orchard Road (Singapore's famous shopping street). If you are feeling a bit peckish at 1am Newton is the place to go for some Taiwan porridge which is served from 9pm till 3am at their Coffee Lounge. The Goodwood Park hotel is one of the oldest on the islandand is considered a national monument to the British colonisation of Singapore dating back to 1900. It is splendid for business and families alike. If you would like something to do, go to East Coast beach where you will see a number of seafood restaurants on the beach - about eight of them side by side to choose from.

If you are feeling more adventurous go on a boat ride to the Indonesian Island of Batan for the day from the Pier - right in the financial district. You can obtain the timetable of departure times from the tourist board - it is pretty reasonable. Serangoon (Singapore's little India), where you can find lots of Indian cafes and restaurants, has excellent Indian food where you can also find the famous 'teh tarik' (literal meaning is 'tea pulled'). It is sweet milky tea that is cooled down by pouring tea from one glass to another from about two or three feet apart depending on the skills of each waiter.

Whilst at Serangoon go to MUSTAFA's shopping centre. It is the Indian version of Debenhams but you will find almost everything exotic there and pretty reasonably priced. Whilst there also visit Tekka Market. It is the first wet market in Singapore where you will find more hawkers' stalls, shopping and local restaurants. It really is fascinating.

It is very very safe as crime is low and the people are very sophisticated and highly educated. You can find almost anything in Singapore. It is a multicultural country and more and more westerners are opting to live and work there, and they are well catered for.

If you fancy a bit of waterskiing go to Ponggol (along the coast) and hire out a boat - they will offer an instructor/driver with the hire of the boat with the gear (at a fee of course). You certainly do not have to worry about the weather. Fancy some original Malay satay - then the Esplanade is the place to go to. Depending on the time of the year you may even be lucky enough to get some Malay entertainment along the way. Want to hit the nightclubs but don't know which ones? There are about 20 nightclubs from samba to R&B, disco, blues, jazz, Chinese etc. all side by side at the World Trade Centre (or rather right next to it). They are open seven nights a week and some close at 5am. If you fancy a blues night out then try The Crazy Elephant at Clarke Quay, where you can sample a lychee martini. How exotic is that! I could go on - just do a bit of research or ask around at your hotel concierge and they will tell you. I am sure you will be spoilt...

Please be aware that no chewing of gum is allowed in Singapore and travellers are not allowed to bring in more than a cigarette packet of 20s into Singapore or there is a hefty fine.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19873 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19865 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19865 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19863 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19863 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19862
Singaporeans often greet each other by asking "Have you eaten?" and you will endear yourself to the locals by enquiring if they have had their "makan" (food) as well. We visited a great restaurant called The Rice Table, where Indonesian Dutch rijsttafel was served. There'll be no awkward silences because everyone is too busy stuffing their faces with the never-ending stream of satay, otak, and curries that arrive. The moment one dish is finished, just ask for another at no extra charge. And the price is incredibly reasonable.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19862 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18183
Also, eat at the food stalls and buy a Makansutra if you can find it, or read the Calvin Trillin article in the New Yorker to determine which food stalls to visit.

If you're flying in and out of Changi, and just staying overnight, stay at the Changi Village Hotel. Check out the shops on 33 Erskine Road. Treat yourself to a foot massage in Chinatown.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18183 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16777 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16777 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8446
I recommend going in the evening because the street at the back is closed to traffic and stalls open up selling satay sticks and honey chicken wings.

It's a perfect evening in Singapore when you have a pitcher of Tiger and you're munching on satay sticks.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8446 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3372 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3372 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2871 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2871