As promised this is my veiw of singapore as a stop over.
We spent 6 days in Singapore and still there was plenty that we did not see. But this place is well worth a visit. In my opinion it's better than Hong Kong.
If your young and want exciment then Bangkok is the place to stop over. But this place is clean very safe and does not need to be exspensive. Hotel was good I think about 70 pounds per night (Swiss Hotel Merchant 4*) but there are cheaper. Resturants are cheaper than the Uk in general but if you go to China town, little India or any of the shopping mails or markets you can eat a meal for about 2 pounds. Beer was about 3 pounds for a little less than a pint again could get cheaper in China town ect.
Transport was fantastic and cheap puts London to shame. the Tube network was immaculate.
Taxi's were on a meter and again very cheap never once felt as if we were ripped off.
If the wife likes shopping don't go Sigapore go staight to Aus. I have never seen so many good shopping mails there seems to a blue water or lakeside on every corner.
Photographic gear is cheaper and so are Sunglasses and I suppose lots more but I tried to keep Andrea away from the shops.
What I did not like about Singapore was very little. 2 things 1 was they nearly always put a service charge on resturant or bar bills (10%) I like to reward good service and felt abliged to tip again but very rarely did but felt a little embaressed.
And number 2 If you ever join a Q for anything do not leave a gap between you and the next person as some little Singaporian will be in the there before you and the Q will get bigger and you'll still be at the back.
We flew with British airways and was not over impressed I understand that Singapore airways is about the best. Plus they only gave us 23kg baggage allowance.
from Singapore to Darwin we flew with Jetstar (Quantas Budget) they were very good could not fault them.
We booked with trailfinders well worth a try as they were alot cheaper than most and very helpful. just over 1600 pounds including flights accomadation and transfers. To fly to Perth was even cheaper.
One way travel insurance for 17 days was 64 pounds for the 2 Adults with direct travel 0845 605 2500 We have already claimed for canelled flights and accomadtion and they paid out pritty quick. not all the money but most.
Darwin is bloody hot but very Green. We are in the proccess of buying a car then we will travel down to Brisbane.
So that is my input for now hope it helps bloody well hope so its taken me long enough to write.
I read your post with interest as we stopped off in Singapore en route to emigrating to Oz end of last August and as much as I liked it enjoyed Hong Kong better (we had stopped off there on way back to England a few years ago after a holiday here). We were perhaps a little unfortunate in that we seemed to get monsoon downpours every day but it was stinking hot with it and we were only there 3 days - agree with you about the shopping, did you find Lucky Plaza!!!!??? We did fly with Singapore Airlines and they were great, I got 50kg allowance as I was emigrating!
Hi John
Thanks for that as we have just booked our flights to brisbane and are stopping over in singapore for 3days at the end of april this year, keep us all informed . We booked our flights on line with singapore airlines and this worked out much cheaper than over the phone also you get to choose where you want to sit, also booked hotel with airline network.:biggrin:
Singapore
