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City Tour

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Heard of the famous durian in Singapore? No, it’s not the fruit! It’s the attraction, the Esplanade!

The reason why Singaporeans call it “The Durian” is because of the unique architectural design that is said to have an appearance similar to a durian.

Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay sits on prime waterfront land by Marina Bay and offers a complete lifestyle experience which consists of dining, shopping and the performing arts.

What you can expect to experience there: Orchestral and Choral Concerts, Solo Performances, Dance and Musical performances, Operas and Dramas.

Head down to the esplanade shop to get a souvenior for your loved ones! All items potrays the uniqueness of Singapore, at reasonable prices!
If you are hungry, visit Colours By The Bay! It offers a variety of restaurants like Pot Art, Thai Express, Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ, Al Dente Trattoria etc.

If you wish to chat and relax, visit Harry's for cocktails, exotic wines, finger-licking bites and great music!

Or you could try going to No Signboard Seafood. Established for over 2decades, it has preserved the long-standing fame of its founder's signature homemade dishes.

If not, visit Makansutra Gluttons Bay, where you can enjoy Singapore's best street food under the moonlight by the bay.

How to get there:

The taxi stand is located at the Esplanade Mall entrance along Raffles Avenue.
The Esplanade is easily accessible via public buses. Bus numbers: 36, 56, 70M, 97, 111, 133, 162M, 195, 502, 531, 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, 75, 77, 106, 700A, 857, 960, 961, NR1, NR2, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8. The nearest bus stop is also located along Raffles Avenue, outside the Esplanade Mall entrance.
The Esplanade is just a 10-minute walk from the City Hall Mass Rapid Train Station (MRT) through an underpass which also links four shopping centres - Raffles City, Marina Square, Suntec City and Millenia Walk.

If you walk along the Singapore river, just behind the Esplanade, you will find this.

These buildings comprise the skyline along the coast of Marina Bay and Raffles Place. At night, the view will be much more magnificant with all the lights outlining the buildings. What a sight to behold!

From a distance away, you will be able to see the Merlion.

At 8.6 metres high and weighing 70 tonnes, the 'spitting' creature is a popular spot for toursits to visit. An excellent place to take pictures, with Singapore river in the background.

Often you'll see the Hippo River Taxi in the waters. Catch the newest theme tour attraction at the Singapore River Cruise in style on the modern hybrid powered eco-friendly electric boat. A ride along Singapore rivers, showing to you the spectacular view of the island around the CBD (central business district) area.

Tour Duration: 30 mins. Hop On-Hop Off with full day river access. Opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm.

Other tour attractions are also available. For example the City HIPPOtour. It is an Open Top bus offering 360 degree panoramic view. Its unique features enable the sights and sounds to be felt by passengers on board. It connects the hotels, major shopping malls along Orchard. Major attractions include Botanic Garden, Esplanade, Raffles Landing Site and Merlion Park. You can stand at the top of the bus and enjoy the scenery of Singapore as well as enjoy the breeze through the ride.
Operation: 9 am to 6 pm. Freq: Every 25 mins.

To make your trip to Singapore memorable, enjoyable and worthwhile, get the Singapore Sightseeing Pass and enjoy up to 70% savings! This includes visits or tours such as River HiPPO, Heritage HiPPOtours, City HiPPO, Sentosa Rhino Feeder and Moonlight Adventure.

$33/Adult, $17/Child (enjoy 2nd Day for Free)

For more information, visit http://www.ducktours.com.sg/sightseeing_pass.html.

Not forgetting, the DUCKtours! It ventures on both land and sea. Come and be entertained by our DUCKtainers! Hold on to your seat as it waddles away and be prepared for a splashing good time!

Boarding location at Suntec City (Galleria) between Suntec Convention Tower and Tower 5.
Operating Hours: 10am-6pm

Duration: 60 minutesFrequency: Hourly Departure

S$33/Adult
S$17/Child (3-12years)
S$2/Toddler (Below 3 yrs)
Nearest MRT Station: City Hall Station

On the other end of the river lies the construction of the Marina Bay Sands. It features three cascading hotel towers topped by an extraordinary sky park. By early 2010, the ‘floating’ crystal pavilions, a lotus-inspired Museum, retail stores featuring cutting-edge labels and international luxury brands, trendy Celebrity Chef restaurants, endless entertainment at the theaters, the hottest night clubs and a Las Vegas-style casino will be open.

One of the main reason to visit the Singapore flyer is because it is the only place to see Singapore’s magnificent cityscape.

At a height of 165m, Singapore Flyer is the world’s largest Giant Observation Wheel and is set to be one of Asia’s biggest tourist attractions. It promises more than just a view, but a panorama that captures Marina Bay’s skyline with a glimpse of neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia.

Adult: S$29.50
Child: S$20.65
Senior: S$23.60

A mere 10minute walk can get to the nearest shopping centre, Suntec City Mall. Stretching across 4towers, eahc 6storeys high, it houses nearly 1,000 retail stores and 300 restaurants.

How to get there:

Suntec City Mall is easily accessible via public buses. Bus service 36, 97, 106, 111, 133, 501, 502, 518, 857 and 700. Alight right in front of the convention centre. Suntec City Mall is just a 10-minute walk from the City Hall Mass Rapid Transport Station (MRT) through an underpass, CityLink Mall.

A place suitable to have fun, relax, eat and enjoy will be Marina Square. From high street fashion boutiques such as Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Mango, Zara to spa and beauty parlours to the bowling alley and cinema, you will be spoilt for choices on how to spend your day!

How to get there:

You may alight at City Hall MRT Station and take a 10min walk through CityLink Mall to reach the mall. Turn right and get on the escalator when you see the directional signage for Marina Square.
Bus-stops are located along Raffles Avenue, in-front of Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay and Temasek Boulevard, in-front of Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Bus services:Raffles Avenue35, 36, 70, 75, 77, 97, 106, 111, 133, 162, 171, 174M, 195, 700A, 502, 857, 960, 961Temasek Boulevard36, 70, 97, 106, 111, 133, 162, 502, 518, 700A, 857.

Raffles City is a large complex located in the Civic District within the Downtown Core of Singapore. It houses two hotels and an office tower over a podium which contains a shopping mall and a convention centre.

How to get there:

Raffles City is linked directly to the City Hall MRT Interchange Station.

Bus stop located at Bras Basah Road 14, 16, 36, 77, 106, 111, 128, 130, 131, 133, 140, 162, 162M, 167, 171, 190, 502, 502A, 502B, 518, 518A, 518B, 578, 579, 581, 587, 590, 598, 700, 700A, 857, 960, NR7
Bus stop located at North Bridge Road 32, 51, 61, 63, 80, 195, 851, 961, 980, NR2, NR5, NR7, NR8
Bus stop located at Stamford Road 7, 14, 14e, 16, 36, 77, 106, 111, 128, 131, 162, 162M, 167, 171, 175, 190, 700, 700A, 502, 857, NR7, NR8

For those who wish to immerse in nature, you can visit Marina Barrage. Marina Barrage is a dam in Singapore built across the Marina Channel and is also the first reservoir in the city. A popular sport to do is kite flying. Picnicing is also pretty popular amongst the locals and the tourists!

How to get there:

Take the MRT to Marina Bay station (NS27). Free shuttle bus service from Marina Bay MRT Station to Marina Barrage.

If you wish to stay in the city area, there are several hotels which you can choose from.
1. Marina Mandarin SingaporeTel: (65) 6845 1000, Fax: (65) 6845 1001
Visit: http://www.meritus-hotels.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=164&menu_id=159&timed=1261885222

2. Pan Pacific Singapore
Tel: (65) 6336 8111, Fax: (65) 6339 1861
Visit: www2.panpacific.com/singapore/Overview.html

3. Conrad Centennial Singapore
Tel: (65) 6334 8888, Fax: (65) 6333 9166
Visit: http://conradhotels1.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/index.do?ctyhocn=SINCICI&WT.srch=1

4. Mandarin Oriental Singapore
Tel: (65) 6338 0066, Fax: (65) 6339 9537
Visit: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore/

5. The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore
Tel: (65) 6337 8888, Fax: (65) 6338 0001
Visit: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Singapore/Default.htm

Labels: By Michele Lu

Girl next door
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