february-2011

Photo: STB (top left)
SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE
An island nation with a
multicultural society,
Singapore is a sophisticated
microcosm of Asia. The Lion
City buzzes 24 hours a day
with varied dining, nightlife
and shopping options.
Johor Strait
SINGAPORE
MALAYSIA
Singapore
Singapore Strait
FROM THE AIRPORT
CBD 20km
Travel time 20-30 mins by car
Taxi Approx S$20 with
a surcharge of S$3-5
Airport shuttle services
Go to most hotels for S$9 adult, S$6
child, one way
MRT The city is 27 mins away by
train for less than S$3
ON THE GO
1. MRT An air-conditioned, effi cient
and clean subway across the island.
2. Buses A concise network with
maps at every stop.
Singapore’s
stunning skyline
CORINA TEO
Marketing manager,
Peninsula.Excelsior
Hotel
Must-eat: Chilli crab at Palm
Beach Seafood Restaurant at
One Fullerton, with its alfresco
dining facing Marina Bay. Do
order a side of the fried buns to
dip into the crab gravy.
Local delicacies: Handmade
Nonya kueh (sweet and savoury
snacks) with diff erent shapes,
colours and tastes made from
ingredients such as coconut
milk, sweet potato, tapioca and
pandan leaves. They are usually
bite-sized, and are best enjoyed
during teatime and on festive
occasions as desserts.
Great place for dinner: Sky
Lounge on the 22nd fl oor of
Peninsula.Excelsior Hotel is
a good place to dine with the
chef’s special four-course set
dinner. After dinner, while the
night away on the open balcony,
sipping wine or champagne
with the panoramic view of the
Marina Bay and city skyline right
in front of you.
Best place to hang out with
the locals: Neighbourhood
coff ee shops, which the locals
patronise daily to eat local
delights such as char kway teow
(stir-fried fl at rice noodles),
chicken rice and roti prata (fl at
pancake) with curry.
Survival tip for tourists: It’s
very easy to travel in Singapore
with a prepaid ez-link card.
There are many ticketing
schemes, even a tourist pass.
international adventures
The Royal Palace
PHNOM PENH
CAMBODIA
French colonial infl uences can
be seen everywhere in this
amazing capital city, which
boasts excellent nightlife and
dining. It’s a city that is both
culturally appealing as well as
historically fascinating.
THAILAND
CAMBODIA
Phnom Penh
LAOS
VIETNAM
South China Sea
FROM THE AIRPORT
CBD 7km from Phnom Penh
International Airport
Travel time City centre is around 30
mins by car
Taxi Approx US$7 (S$9.02)
Moto US$2 (S$2.58) for a ride on
the back of a motorcycle
Tuk-tuk About US$4 (S$5.16)
ON THE GO
1. Moto The cheapest way to get
around. Trips in the city are usually
US$1 (S$1.29).
2. Tuk-tuk Costs about US$20
(S$25.78) to hire one for the day.
MONICA NAUGHTIN
Virologist
Great place for dinner:
Lunchbox is a small garden
café behind Wat Langka run
by an Aussie that makes great
sandwiches, which are perfect
for dinner or lunch. Don’t miss
the amazing mango smoothie.
Best night out: Start the night
at Dodo Rhum House (on Street
178) with a few homemade
fl avoured rums, followed by
some cheesy karaoke at the tiny
Carole King (on Street 228) —
and fi nish the night with Phnom
Penh’s best live band and
tastiest B52s at Memphis Bar.
Best buys for under S$50:
Buy souvenirs from one of the
NGO shops that sell goods
made by poor or disadvantaged
people. Check out the Rajana
shop (rajanacrafts.org) near the
Russian market for souvenirs,
or Keokjay on Street 240 for
some unique designer clothes
(keokjay.org).
Best place to hang out with
the locals: Take a wander
around the park on Sothearos
Boulevard at around 6pm. Join
in with hundreds of Khmers
doing aerobics to blaring pop
music, or just grab some hot
corn on a cob.
Survival tip for tourists: Don’t
fall for the trick of saying yes
to the question “Maybe later?”
from street sellers. It only buys
you a temporary reprieve. You
can bet you’ll be found later!
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