april-2011

international adventures
Clarke Quay
by night
SINGAPORE
A tropical 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.
FROM THE AIRPORT
CBD 20km
114 APRIL 2011
Travel time 20–30 mins by car
Taxi Approx S$20 (AU$15.65)
with a surcharge of S$3–$5
(AU$2.35–$3.91)
Airport shuttle services Most
hotels S$9 (AU$7.04) one way
MRT train Every 10–15 mins from
Terminal 2 and 3 from 5.30am–
11.18pm, takes 27 mins to reach the
city for S$1.70 (AU$1.33)
ON THE GO
1. The Hippo An open-top
double-decker bus that allows you
to hop on and off whenever you like.
S$23 (AU$17.99) for a one-day pass.
2. MRT Air-conditioned
subway throughout the island.
3. Trishaw An old-school threewheeled
bicycle with a carriage.
DAWN LAI
Business
development manager
Must-buy gift: In case you didn’t
know, Singapore is well-known
as a food paradise. In fact, we’re
a nation of obsessed food lovers.
Cookies, cakes and bottled kaya
from homegrown confectionary
store Bengawan Solo make great,
aff ordable gifts. It’s a slice of
Singapore in a cake.
Local delicacies: There are
plenty — some of my favourites are
pepper crab, chicken rice, roti prata
(Indian pancake), ice kachang (iced
dessert) and teh tarik (“pulled”
tea). A long queue usually means
great food. And sometimes, food
from the hawker centre is just
as good as those in fi ne-dining
restaurants. Anything is possible
when it comes to food!
Best place to hang out with
the locals: For an off beat vibe,
check out Arab Street. This place
has lots of chill-out alfresco
restaurants, where you can get a
taste of shisha (fl avoured tobacco)
over a cup of fragrant peppermint
tea, and spend the night chatting
away to your friends.
Favourite local festival: Ballet
Under the Stars at Fort Canning is
an annual event that takes place
in June or July. Enjoy a picnic and
watch ballet alfresco-style. I love
that it’s so casual and relaxed.
Best idea for a family outing:
Although it may seem like a
concrete jungle, you can defi nitely
experience another side of
Singapore. Just head to Pulau Ubin
island for a cycling trip, and admire
the abundance of nature there.
I love Singapore because: It’s
so sunny, clean and green. In fact,
Singapore is one of the few cities
where you‘ll fi nd loads of greenery
around, even in the central
business district. There’s usually a
park or two nearby.
Street vendors
selling fresh
seafood
HO CHI MINH CITY
VIETNAM
Vietnam’s largest city
and its economic capital,
this vibrant cultural
hotspot has a population
of high-energy people,
who eff ortlessly meld the
traditional with the new
and contemporary.
VISA REQUIREMENTS: Passengers are advised to make themselves
familiar with the relevant visa requirements for international travel.
Visa requirements may diff er between countries.
FROM THE AIRPORT
CBD 7km from Tan Son Nhat
International Airport
Travel time CBD is around
20 mins by car
Taxi A taxi voucher from Visitor
Information for US$12 (AU$11.93)
Shuttle bus Most hotels off er
complimentary pick-up
ON THE GO
1. Taxi Ask the drivers to turn
the meters on; there are
taxi-motorbikes as well.
2. Walking This is the best way to
dash up alleys and down one-way
streets, but we only recommend
this for District One.
3. Cyclos This is a one-person
seat that is powered by a cyclist
— prepare yourself for being noselevel
with the exhaust fumes and
frenetic action on the streets.
DEMEITER
VAUBELL
Director of sales and
marketing,
Six Senses Con Dao
Best breakfasts: Weekend
brunch at either Au Parc at 23 Han
Thuyen or The Refi nery at 74/7C
Hai BA Trung; both in District 1.
Great places for dinner:
A hidden secret is Cuc Gach Quan,
which has the most amazing
Vietnamese food, and the gorgeous
restaurant at 10 Dang Tat Tan Dinh,
Q1. Or try The Deck at 38 Nguyen
U Di, Thao Dien, An Phu, District 2,
which sits on the river.
Best night out: Check out 2 Lam
Son in the Park Hyatt, which has
many delicious martinis.
Best place to party with the
gang: Start at Xu at 71 Hai Ba
Trung, then move on to Apocalypse
Now at 2B Thi Sach, and fi nish at Q
Bar over at 7 Lam Son; all in District
1. However, if a live band is playing,
Vasco is an interesting venue to
party with the gang. It’s located
in the Refi nery complex, opposite
the Hyatt.
Best buys for under AU$50:
L’usine, Art Arcade, 151 Dong Khoi,
District 1, has amazing quirky gifts,
clothes and delicious cupcakes.
Or buy anything at the Ben Thanh
markets, or the night markets
around in the evening.
Survival tips for tourists: Visit
the tourist information centre on
4G-4H Le Loi Street, District 1,
before you start out. Always have
small change handy for taxis, and
take care when crossing the roads
— there are many motorbikes.
Insider’s tip: When coming home
from Apocalypse Now or Q Bar,
you must try a fresh baguette from
Nhu Lan bakery on 50 Ham Nghi,
District 1.
Must-eat: Anything from Wrap &
Roll for a fast Vietnamese lunch at
62 Hai Ba Trung, District 1.