Singapore

Thank you all who have taken the trouble to reply. It’s so helpful to have all the suggestions in my notebook. We have booked for the afternoon tea as Raffles has apparently been renovated recently. I’m getting excited now!

DS has recommended Lonely Planet app which is free to download. Then you can add city guides of which Singapore is one. All free and the maps are available off line so no need to use your data. Also if 3 is your phone provider you can use your normal plan in Singapore. Called Feel at Home I think. It’s useful but arbitrary. I will be able to use it in Singapore but not Kuala Lumpur. Similarly I could use it in USA but not Canada. Great when you can use it though.

We visited this park a few times:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Balm_Garden
There are many sort of primitive set pieces and other models depicting Chinese history. A bit gruesome at times, so tru to life.

A friend has just returned and he was amazed by Changi airport:
'Quite amazed by the new Jewel Shopping and eating area at Changi Airport. Allegedly the largest indoor waterfall in the world (with more Sons & Lumiéres shows!)'
He found the humidity quite daunting, v glad for air-con, also went to the Gardens by the Bay, very impressed there too; found Raffles rather expensive £24 for a Singapore sling!
Have a lovely time whatever you decide to do.

I too lived there and in Malaysia in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
I married there in 1970.

I loved it, the climate, the friendly people, some I’m still in touch with.

Golly! Is C.K. Tang still in business? What a treasure house that was! I still have some beautiful rose wood carved animals from there.

I too lived in Singapore for three years in the late 60s/early 70s. DH and I met there so have some very fond memories. We have been back - three or four times - but it has changed beyond all recognition.
The Botanical Gardens were always lovely, but I understand the Gardens by the Bay are amazing.
Take a boat trip and view the sights from the water.
Street food is wonderful.
Go shopping in C K Tang.
Get some made to measure clothes, choosing your own fabric and style - they will be ready in 24 hours.
When we lived there Raffles was quite run down, so didn't bother with it, but went for lunch on one of our return trips, and had a Singapore sling in the Long Bar.
Go to Mount Faber and view the fantastic seascape from the top, then take the cable car to Sentosa island, or cross by ferry.
Enjoy the colonial style of the government buildings, court buildings etc.
I am thinking of visiting late DH's cousins in Australia at some time so will probably have another stopover, but sadly this time on my own, but hope to have happy memories.

C.KTangs is in Orchard Road. You could buy a second hand guide book from an Amazon 3rd party sellers which will have all the places to visit in Singapore in the limited time you have there. Oh,just go the shops!,

I lived in Singapore or ‘singers’ as we used to call it back in the 1960’s. There have been tremendous changes since we left. All my siblings have been there for stopovers and holidays in recent times and all thoroughly enjoyed their visits.
The climate is very humid - that’s the only thing I didn’t enjoy but I expect just about everywhere will have aircon by now.
For some interesting shopping head to CK Tang, it has beautiful things from all over the world.
Enjoy,

Lovely safe place to go, so enjoy your stopover. Public transport is well run and can take you to most places on the tourist trail. When you visit, Raffles is a must just to say you've been but I agree, just have a Singapore Sling as I think Afternoon Tea will be a rip off, expensive. I had Singapore Sling in the old Raffles 40 years ago because you have too!

NfkDumpling - DD was told that many Singapore families spend their Sundays at the airport as there is so much to do.

For a day in Sydney, the trip to Manly Beach on the ferry is a relaxing option. Lunch watching the locals surfing, then head back and stroll around the Botanic Gardens before catching a ferry round to Darling Harbour for an evening meal.

We met a lady in the airport who regularly travelled to NZ stopping off in Singapore to adjust to the time and always stayed two or three days IN the airport. Accommodation, hairdressers, restaurants, gyms and wonderful surroundings!

Changi Airport, awful predictive text!

DD spent a few days in Singapore recently and loved it.
She did a morning bike tour on the first day which enabled her to get her bearings, see the sights and have some insider knowledge. Only her and an Aussie chap with the guide. She did the same in Shanghai in the Spring.
She went to Raffles for a Singapore Sling and enjoyed that.
She loved the Gardens by the Bay and the Botanic Gardens, they are illuminated at night. Free Light Show every evening at the Bay. Changing Airport is amazing, the waterfall is illuminated at night too.
She treated herself to a night at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel while she was there, infinity pool and the view were amazing.
Have a good holiday.

There is a new shopping mall called Jewel attached to Changi airport. It is 10 storeys high and is all built around a spectacular waterfall with gardens. There is a light show every half hour. You can easily spend a day in there (over 300 shops and restaurants!)

I suggest a stroll around Changi airport, it's as good as any botanical gardens.

Barmey - I lived there in he 60s too, for 2 years.
Our youngest was born there.
I agree about the Botanical Gardens, as long as it's as fascinating as it used to be.
Singapore has probably changed a lot since the 60s.

Oh, and take in a temple or two. It’s worth taking taking taxis, if only for the air conditioning. There’s so much to do there. Loved it.

Singapore - Gardens by the Bay, a river trip, and the cable car over to Sentosa Island. Sentosa is something else, a weird mixture of fact and fiction. We loved it. You don’t have to take the cable car if you don’t have a head for heights!

This is it, a very basic, cheap place to eat. No frills. It was really busy, just queue, I don’t think you can book but I may be wrong.

You can go and wander round Raffles for nothing. We had a Singapore sling in the bar+ peanuts. Will you want to spend the time having afternoon tea when there is so much else to do?
There are a lot of prebooked trips you can do but they are pricey and we found everything was easy.
We did go to a Michelin starred restaurant that was featured in the Times before we left. Can’t remember what it was called, I’ll try and find it.

I haven’t been for a while but remember the Malaysian quarter for its great street food and restaurants, the very clean public transport system, the band in our hotel playing “Hotel California” in the dot at 11pm each night (!) the Botanical gardens with monkeys, and the zoo night safari on the little train which I loved. I was over for business the first five days at Suntech City and it was hard work but the three days off afterwards were fabulous. This was back in 96 so much has probably changed!

There's a great restaurant right on Circular Quay in Sydney called Cafe Sydney. It's housed in the original Customs House and the restaurant is on the top floor (but only about 10 floors!) and has great views over the harbour. Taronga Zoo is also worth a visit

Gardens by the bay in Singapore is fabulous and well worth a visit. The domes are magnificent and the plants and displays change seasonally.
There is a lovely restaurant on the elevated walk way there but it is rather pricey.
Most of the big name hotels do afternoon tea , but I agree with another grasnetter Raffles is rather overrated and can be very busy.
The zoo in Singapore is wonderful as is the Botanic gardens but can be very humid.
You can also do a hop on and off bus tour too which will show you the different parts of Singapore , the Indian and Arab quarters with the old architecture with quirky restaurants and shops.
Go online and look at the best 20 things to see and the book ahead the ones you fancy doing. It should also tell you the best hotels for afternoon tea and you can book online .
Remember though you may feel quite jet lagged on arrival so pace yourselves.
Have a fabulous trip