december-2011

Day 3
You can’t be situated next to a famous
food stall and not visit it. For breakfast,
I had a bowl of Jalan Sultan prawn
mee (S$5/US$4); with its rich prawn
stock and large prawns, it’s a hit with
many Singaporeans. Then, just so
I can say I’ve seen it all, I grab The
Original Tour (S$18/US$16.10) pass for
a roofdeck bus ride around the typical
sights of Singapore such as Clarke
Quay, Orchard Road, Little India and
Chinatown.
Before making my way back to the
airport, I took the MRT to Bedok Station
(S$1.11/US$0.90) for a fi nal feast of
Singaporean food. Just across the street
is the Bedok Interchange Food Center,
where I had a fresh sugar cane drink
(S$1.50/US$1.20), some soon kueh
(S$2/US$1.60 for four) and a plate of
wanton mee (S$2.50/US$2).
Unlike Kallang, Bedok is a much
bigger suburb. Larger neighborhoods
in Singapore have an area that locals
often refer to as the Central. In Bedok
Central, you’ll see shops that cater to the
neighborhood around it. It does make
for some great last-minute shopping,
and perhaps a better imprint of normal
THE SHOESTRING DIARIES
A filling bowl of
wanton mee will only
cost you S$2.50
Singaporean life that’s sidestepped in
the more touristy areas.
It’s easy to stick to the well-trodden
path especially when visiting very
metropolitan cities, but if you dare
to venture into less centrally located
neighborhoods, that is where you’ll fi nd
a city’s true essence.
Shoestring budget
for Day 3: S$30.11/
US$23.52
Cebu Pacifi c Flies to Singapore
from Manila, Cebu and Clark.
www.cebupacifi cair.com
TOTAL FOR
THREE DAYS:
S$248.64/
US$194.21
{ 156 }
SINGAPORE
ON THE CHEAP
CHECKLIST
The Hive @ Kallang
6 Jalan Ayer
www.thehivebackpackers.com/kallang
Kampong Glam Café
17 Bussorah St
Little Shophouse
43 Bussorah St
Children’s Little Museum
42 Bussorah St
Lorong 9 Beef Kway Teow
237 Geylang Lorong 9
Upper Boon Keng Market
and Hawker Center
Blk 17 Upper Boon Keng Road
Old Coffee Joint
#01-41 Blk 17 Upper Boon Keng Road
Bugis Street Market
4 New Bugis Street
Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Avenue
www.marinabaysands.com
The Esplanade
1 Esplanade Drive
Max Brenner
#01-06/08 Esplanade Mall
Jalan Sultan Prawn Mee
No. 2 Jalan Ayer
Duck & Hippo Tours
Suntec Convention Centre, #05-520
www.ducktours.com.sg
Bedok Interchange Food Centre
207 New Upper Changi Road
Fatt Soon Kuey
#01-51, 207 New Upper Changi Road
Tian Seng Drink Stall
#01-35, 207 New Upper Changi Road
Quan Ji Cooked Food Stall
#01-20, 207 New Upper Changi Road