Thursday, February 12, 2015

Supper in Singapore? Where? Best skyscraper view, best budget price? Old or new? Side trip to Malaysia?

A friend visiting Singapore briefly, for a couple of days, asked us what venue we would recommend for a special supper. Our first choice would be atop the Marina Bay Sands Complex, three skyscrapers offering fantastic views over the city for a first night or last night splurge, special occasion, birthday, Valentine's Day, or anniversary. Apparently Valentine's Day is a favourite day to propose marriage for a long term couple. Check out the prices and deals and cuisines.

You can have a drink at the bar on the terrace with snacks, if you like to be on the terrace watching the sunset. (The view depends on the time of day, season and weather, could be romantic or rainy.)

Not cheap. But some people are so excited they want to buy a day ticket and take the children swimming in the infinity pool.

A modern Asian cuisine restaurant here is Coup d'Etat.  That's new, the latest.

What if you are a traditionalist?

If you would rather be at ground level, in a historic setting, an alternative is the Raffles Grill. Raffles hotel complex - absolute must. Shops and restaurants galore.

What if you are on a budget? Just pick the nearest nice looking place with a good view or good decor or an appealing menu. This is Singapore, famous for food.

Look in the brochures and maps provided free at the airport and big tourist hotels for maps, to help you find your way around. The advertisements on the maps often have discount coupons. Bookshops abound, huge bookshops with attached coffee shops. Sneak a peak at one of the guides to Singapore and read the latest reviews.

Sometimes the airline magazines carry guides to the city.

Use the MRT (underground railway) maps which go everywhere, including the waterfront, riverside, Little India and Chinatown. Some skyscraper office blocks have restaurants and coffee shops with a view.

If you are in Singapore and want to go out of the city for a jaunt, you could drive across the bridge into Malaysia or take an excursion or even a bus (remember your passport). You might want to go the the Twin Towers complex, made famous in the film. If you prefer old and quaint, even nearer is the pretty pink coastal city of Malacca.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer.


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