Singapore Day 1

January 2015 - Singapore

Singapore officially the Republic of Singapore, is a sovereign city-state and island country in Southeast Asia. It lies off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula and is 137 kilometres (85 mi) north of the equator. The country's territory consists of the diamond-shaped main island, commonly referred to as Singapore Island in English and Pulau Ujong in Malay, and more than 60 significantly smaller islets.

Click here for some interesting comparisons between Singapore and the US.

Singapore is 716 square kilometers or 276 square miles
That’s about half the size of Los Angeles (1,302 square kilometers)


We arrive on January 31 around 1 PM and were picked up and taken to our hotel. Our luggage would follow us later.

Singapore is 13 hours ahead of Toronto, ON, Canada
2:41 PM Monday, in Toronto, ON, Canada is
3:41 AM Tuesday, in Singapore

Rendezvous Hotel Singapore draws its inspiration from its surrounding Arts and Heritage district
[Bras Basah Bugis]. The hotel is within proximity to the key districts of the city - a 10-minute walk
from the Orchard Road shopping belt and a 10-minute drive from the Central Business District.
Just 5-minute walk from the hotel are the Bras Basah and Dhoby Ghaut MRT Stations, which will
connect you across the whole of Singapore.


Tipping is not typical in Singapore and not expected. You do not need to tip in taxis or restaurants.

The hotel is older as can be seen form the photo with a newer building added at the back. Nice room, great bed  and linens with walk in shower in the bathroom.

Once we checked in we decided to go for a well deserved beer(s) Tiger is the local. The hotel had an outside terrace. Such fun watching people. Everyone speaks English very cosmopolitan!

The plan was to take a nap for a couple of hours and then get up so that we could go to bed at a normal time. And sleep we did, we someone did. I answered the phone when the airliens called to say luggage was on its way. Back to sleep then desk called to say luggage was here. Then bellboy brought luggage.

I woke John at 8:15 PM and we showered and headed out to get a snack. We had satay, beef for me and mixed chicken, beef and lamb for John. Then we met up with my friend, Suzanne who is living here working for SAP. We chatted until midnight when we slowly faded.

Singapore Itinerary

Day 1 - We arrive on January 31 around 1 PM and will be picked up and taken to our hotel.




Rendezvous Hotel Singapore draws its inspiration from its surrounding Arts and Heritage district
[Bras Basah Bugis]. The hotel is within proximity to the key districts of the city - a 10-minute walk
from the Orchard Road shopping belt and a 10-minute drive from the Central Business District.

Just 5-minute walk from the hotel are the Bras Basah and Dhoby Ghaut MRT Stations, which will
connect you across the whole of Singapore. Rendezvous Hotel Singapore offers 298 comfortable
rooms and suites featuring state-of-the-art amenities that have been designed with your high performance business and leisure needs in mind.
The rest of the day we have to ourselves.

Drinks with a friend in the evening. She is working here for a year. We used to work together.

Day 2 - February 1 on our own

Day 3 - February 2 on our own


Day 4 - February 3
Pick up at 8:30 AM return noon
Enjoy a city tour, which will begin with a drive around the Civic District past the Padang, Cricket
Club, Historic Parliament House, Supreme Court and City Hall. Next, stop at the Merlion Park for
great views of Marina Bay and a photo opportunity with The Merlion, a mythological creature that
is part lion and part fish. Visit Thian Hock Keng Temple, one of Singapore's oldest Buddhist-
Taoist temples, before driving past Chinatown to watch the craftsmen at work in the local
handicraft centre. Proceed to the National Orchid Garden, in the Singapore Botanic Gardens,
which boasts a sprawling display of thousands of orchids. Your final stop at Little India will entice
you with the scent of joss sticks, jasmine and spices.

Afternoon to ourselves.

Singapore by Night with Singapore Sling Tour

Enjoy dinner by the Singapore River (included), Singapore's favourite sunset haunt. After dinner
enroute to the world's largest fountain, take in the beautiful sight of the central business district
via Benjamin Sheares Bridge. Continuing on to Bugis Street where your guide will take you for a
stroll at the night market or 'pasar malam'. The last stop for the evening is at the iconic Raffles
hotel. As the saying goes, "If you have not been to Raffles, you have not been to Singapore

Day 5 - February 4
Morning on our own.

Pick up 1:30 PM return 5PM
This afternoon, soak in the rich cultural heritage of the Malays at the Malay Ethnic Area. Your
guide will recount stories of collective spirits that rose through the darkest times of World War II
as you proceed with your tour of Changi Chapel and Museum. Taking a drive through the rustic
and laid-back Changi Village gives you a chance to see the relaxing side of Singapore and
provides a contrast to your final stop at Tampines New Town, a typical heartland township of
present day Singapore.

Evening to ourselves

Day 6 - February 5
Fly Singapore to Bangkok