Bangkok or Singapore

RE: Bangkok or Singapore

Hello Dedwydd

Christmas is the best time for us "Westerners" to be in Thailand as it relatively cool. Especially if you go down to the coast. Phuket would be highly recommended (say Karon or Kata Beach as Patong Beach is extremely touristy). Or if you want a little more space, try Cha Am or Hua Hin on the Gulf of Siam. Beautiful unspoilt beaches. I wouldn't recommend you spend your whole holiday in Bangkok as even in the "winter" the pollution makes it extremely hot and humid all year round. Perhaps a day at the beginning or end of your stay just to do some shopping or visiting the Temples/Palace.

If you need more info, then please pm me.

Love

RE: Bangkok or Singapore

Hi

Been to both.2 days in Singapore on way to Oz.4 in Bangkok on way back to UK. I shall cover Singapore first. Climate
[link= http://www.expedia.co.uk/destinations/Asia%20and%20Far%20East/Singapore/Climate.aspx ]http://www.expedia.co.uk/destinations/Asia%20and%20Far%20East/Singapore/Climate.aspx[/link]

Singapore map here
[link= http://travelpuppy.com/singapore/maps.htm ]http://travelpuppy.com/singapore/maps.htm[/link]

Orchard Road (City Centre) map here
[link= http://maps-guide.org/singapore/singapore/orchard-map.htm ]http://maps-guide.org/singapore/singapore/orchard-map.htm[/link]

Good site to link to Sentosa and other attractions.
[link= http://www.singaporepackages.com/attraction.htm ]http://www.singaporepackages.com/attraction.htm[/link]

Scenic attractions in a table here: [link= http://www.1uptravel.com/international/asia/singapore/sightseeing.html ]http://www.1uptravel.com/international/asia/singapore/sightseeing.html[/link]

Exremely clean. Streets so clean. Airport fabulous. We enjoyed walking along Orchard Road at night- very safe , super atmosphere. Super food at on-street eating places. Clean and tasty.

We took the city sightseeing tour. Really good coverage in 2-3 hours. Well worth it. It's very compact. 3-4 days should be enough, to form a good idea. Best places to see:

Botannic Gardens, esp the National Orchid Garden (inc. in City sightseeing tour) although to see the Botannic gardens comprehensively you need to come back. Singapore is the larges producer of orchids in the world. So well worth it.

Top of Mount Faber with view ofCable cars to Sentosa. Then take Cable car and a trip to Sentosa Island.

Night safari should be good (we could not spare the time)

[link= http://www.1uptravel.com/international/asia/singapore/parliamenthouse.html ]Parliment House and the Elephant Statue[/link] Historic importance

[link= http://www.1uptravel.com/international/asia/singapore/statueofsirstamford.html ]Statues of Sir Stamford Raffles[/link] same.

Shopping centres are worth visiting:
[link= http://travelpuppy.com/singapore/shopping.htm ]http://travelpuppy.com/singapore/shopping.htm[/link]

We went up the Swissotel and had a drink at the bar about 69 floors up. Only way to get a good bird's eye view in Singapoer.

[link= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss%C3%B4tel_The_Stamford ]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss%C3%B4tel_The_Stamford[/link]

I shall try to cover Bangkok next. Far more scenic. Much. mich more to see and do. Your 9 days will pass like a dream there.

Live long and prosper.

Prashna

RE: Bangkok or Singapore

ORIGINAL: Dedwydd

Hi All

We are thinking of spending our Christmas in either Bangkok or Singapore.

Does anyone have any tips/ideas for me please, or a favourite place to go? Our holiday will only be a short one – 9 days and we like plenty to do and see.

Also, any big do's and don't's would be good.

Hi Dedwydd

Still on Singapore,

Climate here: [link= http://www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/singapore/weather.shtml ]http://www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/singapore/weather.shtml[/link]

Christmas time temp 75-85 F Rainfall 10in. But fairly uniform all year round.

Do's

1. Stroll along Orchard Road in the evening, Soak up atmosphere, eat at street cafe.
2. Stay at Orchard Road hotel near Metro station. Ride on Metro.
3. Half day city sightseeing tour is good - AM best
4. Orchids at Orchid garden
5. Mount Faber. then Cable car and half day or full day trip to Sentosa Island.
6. Swissotel rotating Restaurant at top - good view.
7. Some shopping
8. Ride on a tuk tuk?

Don'ts
1. Drop No litter. They are very strict about that.

Very safe, very clean.

Hotels? you could consider: Meritus Mandarin.

[link= http://www.holidaycity.com/mandarinsingapore/index.htm ]http://www.holidaycity.com/mandarinsingapore/index.htm[/link]

Regards.

Prashna

RE: Bangkok or Singapore

WOW Thanks for all the information so far..

Prashna - what a lot of info, you are extremely kind.... will start to look through all this on the weekend.

Lotusflower - we are not sure about going to an Island now... but Bangkok and Singapore seem to have enough for our time away.

Hubby fancies the River Kwai trip...

If we go to Singapore we definitely do the safari - everything looks fab.. just worried about the humidity.

Cant wait to find out more though.. thank you
Thanks Guys

RE: Bangkok or Singapore

ORIGINAL: Dedwydd

just worried about the humidity.

Cant wait to find out more though.. thank you Thanks Guys

Hi Dedwydd,

RH in Singapore about 75%. We went in July, much worse, survived OK. All coaches are air conditioned. But Orchid House naturally will be nearly 100% humidity. You'll be fine.

Here comes the info on Bangkok

Bangkok Climate here: [link= http://www.wordtravels.com/Cities/Thailand/Bangkok/Climate ]http://www.wordtravels.com/Cities/Thailand/Bangkok/Climate[/link]

and in pics: [link= http://www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/bangkok/weather.shtml ]http://www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/bangkok/weather.shtml[/link]

As you can see Dec is dry and pleasant.

Do's

1. Order a silk shirt/suit etc or silk dress made-to-measure or BOTH from one of the many good tailors which abound.Incredible value. Do it on the first day and get it on the third.
Also Bangkok is renowned for its precious stones esp. Rubies.

2. Take a luxury dinner-dance cruise on the river chao Phraya in the evening Really memorable. Our most treasured memory. eg
[link= http://www.diethelmtravel.com/thailand/thailand.php?link=BKK_EV3&id=TH09_01_00&bo=0#BKKDCP ]http://www.diethelmtravel.com/thailand/thailand.php?link=BKK_EV3&id=TH09_01_00&bo=0#BKKDCP[/link]

3. Take city tour and Grand Palace eg.
[link= http://www.diethelmtravel.com/thailand/thailand.php?link=BKK_HD2&id=TH09_01_00&bo=0#BKKCGP ]http://www.diethelmtravel.com/thailand/thailand.php?link=BKK_HD2&id=TH09_01_00&bo=0#BKKCGP[/link]

4. Enjoy a traditional Thai massage.

5. witness the spectacular 'Crocodile Wrestling' and 'Acrobatic Elephant' shows held every hour.
[link= http://www.bangkok.com/city-&-culture-tours/crocodilefarm.html ]http://www.bangkok.com/city-&-culture-tours/crocodilefarm.html[/link]

We went to the Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo and had a ride on a she-elephant, really worthwhile experience.


6. Visit Wat Arun early in the morning (Arun = Morning Sun) (Wat = Temple) eg.
[link= http://www.diethelmtravel.com/thailand/thailand.php?link=BKK_HD4&id=TH09_01_00&bo=0#BKKBAB ]http://www.diethelmtravel.com/thailand/thailand.php?link=BKK_HD4&id=TH09_01_00&bo=0#BKKBAB[/link]

7. Visit Royal Barge National Museum Tel: 424-0004 Thailand's ornately carved and decorated Royal Barges are displayed in boatsheds on Khiong (Canal) Bangkok Noi, just off the Chao Phraya River near Phra Pin Klao Bridge on the Thon Buri side. The barges are used on royal occasions and formerly served as war vessels. – Spectacular Royal Barges on display.

eg [link= http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-museum/index.html ]http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-museum/index.html[/link]

8. Visit Vimanmek House and witness Traditional Thai dancing : Two shows daily at 10.30 a.m. and at 2.00 p.m.Memorable. eg [link= http://www.bangkok-city.com/vimanmek.htm ]http://www.bangkok-city.com/vimanmek.htm[/link]

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RE: Bangkok or Singapore

I've travelled to both Bangkok and Singapore many times, so I thought I'd share some thoughts.

Bangkok, I love (my husband doesn't) it is a very busy city, it isn't the cleanest of places, nor is it the friendliest city in Asia, but it has vibrancy and history and plenty to keep you entertained if you stay off the "tourist" route. From Bangkok, as has been said above you can get easily to Cha-am/Hua Hin for a quite retreat or to some of the more historical ares which are fab. You can also fly down to Phuket and the islands.

Singapore by contrast is a modern, clean and a bit sterile. Personally I think you would be stretched to be entertained for 9 days. However, from Singapore you can easily get to Malaysia, which is my favourite place in the whole world. You could do a bit of driving or fly to Penang/Ko Samui or Langkawi or even go to Kuala Lumpur if you want more city life.

Which ever city you choose, I'm sure you will have a fantastic time.

RE: Bangkok or Singapore

my mum has just come home from aussie passing through singapore... what a excellent place she says... and is planning holiday there, singapore that is, soon..
so go for it... ..:D

she says it was beautifull, safe and the people wonderfull and courteous and soooo polite.... every shop she went in .. offered her a cupsof tea... and help...
{that is another thread i am doing.. trying to get hold of some tea bags she brought home for me.. looking for help if anyone reads it..}..

she stayed in the Manderine hotel - which was superb in accomadation and helpfullness.
so... book now.. lol..