Singapore

liI've been here for work five times, and it isn't one of my favorites.  It is quite sterile - like "Its a Small World" for Asia.   If you are there for work, I recommend heading on a one-hour ferry to the Banyan Tree.  Did this in March 2007 with my Yahoo! friends Bennett, Patrick and Meg.  So relaxing and fun - part atmosphere, more about amazing friends.

Top 5 Days

1. Indonesia - Take a 1-hour ferry over to Bintan and go to the Banyan Tree.
2. Little India – packed with finds, has been compared to its mother country, but sanitized in the Singapore way.
3. Tanjong Pagar – Peak around, as this is a great mix of colonial style, mixed with Chinese and Indian Temples.
4. Raffles area – Named after Sir Stanford Raffles, who colonized the area.  Worth a walk about.
5. Sultan Road – Fun, energetic bar area.  I’m already too old to enjoy it – unless I go for an urban cougar night to mingle with the 22 year olds.

Top 5 High Style, Low Maintenance Hotels

1. Ritz Carlton – Only cause they have bathtubs overlooking the city. (Not low maintenance).
2. Raffles – a bit stuffy, but the home of the Singapore Sling gets extra credit.
3. The Fullerton – used to be a tax office.  Lovely.
4. Banyan Tree – In Bintan.  This place is wonderful to relax.  Friends and I got our own villa with an infinity pool.  The spa services are amazing and the water is warm and perfect.  You feel like you are a world away.
5. New Majestic – Never been, but a friend recommended this as an alternative to the larger hotels.

Top 5 Foodie Finds

1. Singapore Sling – these were created at the Long Bar at Raffles. 
2. Dim Sum – Also called Yum Cha.  I could eat these little hearts of delight all day long.
3. Sticky Rice – A cool Thai restaurant.
4. Crab – This is the specialty of the area.
5. Dinner on the Rocks – Friends and I did this at the Banyan Tree.  They set up a beautiful table on the rocks on the beach.  Nothing around but good wine, food and friends.

Top 5 Misses

1. Night Safari – you do see real animals but it is all so staged that everyone
2. Opulence – Feels like Hong Kong or Beverly Hills in that people love their material goods.  Major brands like Burberry, Dolce and Gabbanna and Tiffanys are all over the place.
3. Orchard Road – Not my style of shopping. 
4. Nightlife – Just never found my spots here.
5. Stay Inside – Air con is the bomb here cause it is hot and muggy.

Top 5 Tips

1. Get in, get out – The big advantage is that you can get to other great Asian cities easily.  The town is so squeaky clean that I haven’t seen the soul. 
2. Dim sum and noodles for breakfast -- Why not?
3. Take cabs – there are car services but they offered a $35 flat rate when our cab was only $5.50.
4. ? – I haven’t read much about the history of this area to recommend anything.  Maybe that’s why I haven’t connected to the people and area.  My bad.
5. Tipping – Skip it, no need to tip here.