םייללכ םיפיט -
תויצקרטאו הכישמ ידקומ -
הרובחת -
םילכונ - תוריהז -
: לובג ירבעמ ,תויורירגש ,הסינכ תורשא
Travelling to Malaysia by train from Singapore has got to be less confusing than a few months back. In Singapore, you must fill in two forms
Train from Singapore to Malaysia: the situation at Singapore station is a bit confusing. Your passport is checked by Malaysian Immigration and your customs card is stamped. Later, in Woodlands, you go through Singapore Immigration. In Johor Bahru nothing happens as youre in Malaysia. So technically you enter Malaysia before you leave Singapore. My passport didnt get stamped in Singapore (I thought this would happen in Johor Bahru) so I entered Malaysia illegally. This happens quite often according to the immigration officer in KL. Getting a visit pass is straightforward if somewhat time consuming, as long as you still have the train ticket.
The Australian Embassy now has a new telephone number:
The phone number of the Singapore embassy in London has changed to 0171 235 8315.
The American embassy has moved. It's now located at 27 Napier Road. Phone: 476 9100.
The Japanese embassy is now at its new location on Nassim Road.
The telephone number for the Myanmar embassy is 735 0209 and its new address is 15 St Martins Drive (near Tanglin).
: םייללכ םיפיט
Tourist Information Centres in Singapore.
Liang Court Tourist Service Centre
Singapore Visitor Centre
"Access Singapore", a guide on various places specially made accessible to physically disabled visitors can be obtained free from the National Council of Social Service. Telephone (65) 336 1544
Upcoming events in Singapore
If youre in transit for more than four hours in Singapore, take advantage of the free city tours. As soon as you leave the plane, keep an eye out for the prominent city tour desks. These two hour tours are pretty good considering they are free.
If you have a longish stopover at Singapore Changi Airport, dont sit around twiddling your thumbs. Take advantage of the airports city tours. You are taken on an air-conditioned luxury coach and then a launch for a trip around the harbour. Most importantly - its free!
From 7 June 1999, the Poste Restante in Singapore will be located at 10 Eunos Road, near Paya Lebar MRT station. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 10 pm, Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm, Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. Your passport is essential for collecting mail.
Bencoolen Street is no longer the place to find cheap hostels: the old houses have been torn down and new expensive hotels are reaching for the sky.
No and low budget Internet in Singapore: yes, yes, yes! One can surf the Internet in Singapore for free! Only mailing and chatting are not allowed. There is no disc-drive, no newsgroups and no real-audio. There is a time limit of one hour, but while the students are locked up in their schools during the week, it's no problem to use it for several hours. The place to go is the main branch of the National Library in Singapore. Go to the second floor and ask for the 'Singapore-One' service. They have about five PCs. A little faster are the multimedia stations - these cost $2 per hour (you need a 'cashcard' to pay), and there is no time limit. To obtain a cashcard you need a local Singapore ATM-card and an ATM-machine. You can find a special cachcard-ATM machine on the first floor in the library.
I was informed by the owner of a guest house that Singapore will soon be closing down all of its budget hostels. In an attempt to fill the mass of empty hotel accommodation, the government has given the hostels the deadline of June to close, convert to a hotel or face heavy fines. Indeed, hostels have already closed and more are planning to. This means budget travellers may be forced to use expensive hotel accommodation when travelling to Singapore. My advice to anyone who needs to travel to Singapore in the future is to stay in Johor Boroh over the Malaysian border and travel by bus into Singapore. The journey time is one hour and costs S$1.
For national directory information, call 100 [not 03]. For international enquiries, call 104. Hot tip: call 777-7777 for Star Search (this is a Help Line on anything you are unable to find in the directory).
Chinatown: where Telok Ayer Street crosses Pekin and Cross Streets, the old buildings have now been completely demolished. Also the 'vacant lot' on the corner of Cross and Club Streets is now a tarmac carpark. The market has vanished. In fact the majority of Chinatown is being redeveloped - unfortunately it felt more like a tour of a building site than a historical part of town!
: תויצקרטאו הכישמ ידקומ
The Asian Civilisations Museum is excellent. It is housed in a beautiful colonial building which was a school from 1912 to 1982 and has been renovated. A second building should open in the year 2000. Two thirds of the current space is devoted to a permanent exhibition of things to do with Chinese culture and one third to temporary exhibitions focusing on other Asian civilisations.
In Chinatown visit the Chinese Opera Teahouse, at 5 Smith Street. There is a talk cum demonstration of Chinese Opera. The talk is in English and is very interesting and informative. It is followed by a performance of an excerpt from an opera, along with tea and cakes.
MacRitchie Loop: there are not many natural getaways in Singapore. This is the best I have found. If you're seeking an escape from the high-tech facades and interiors of Singapore's Orchard Road, you should head to the MacRitchie Reservoir north of the city centre, where a walk or run around the MacRitchie Loop, located in the 2000 hectares of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, is excellent training for rainforest treks elsewhere in South-East Asia. Other than a handful of devoted regulars, surprisingly few people do the loop, which is why it remains one of developed Singapore's best secrets. Whatever your choice of aerobic activity, the 11km circuit should not be taken lightly. A reasonable level of physical fitness is required. Carry water, a small umbrella and sun protection. After heavy rains, a near-daily occurrence in Singapore, the trail is muddy and slippery. Storms can leave entire trees uprooted and blocking the paths. When the sun does appear, it burns fiercely.
: הרובחת
Singapore Airlines operates an SIA hop on bus service which goes round and round a circular route, stopping at various interest points (Suntec City, Sri Mariamman Temple, Botanic Gardens etc). A timetable is published and the service is free to Singapore Airline passengers on presentation of an airline ticket. A fare is charged to others.
When catching the ferry from Singapore to Bintan Island double check the ferry times as those advertised in the Singapore Tourist Authority handbook were incorrect. We found the Island expensive and difficult to get off even with a return ticket. On the return journey you must get a boarding pass and pay a departure tax. There are touts who will organise this for you at a price but allow plenty of time. The trip takes 90 minutes and remember that Indonesian time is one hour behind Singapore time.
When catching the bus from Victoria St to Changi Prison (p585), the bus needs to be caught from the west side (saves waiting half an hour on the wrong side, as I did).
The bus that goes from the airport to the Bencoolen Street area is now #36. It stops at the same area on Stamford Road as the #16 and #16E used to. On the way back to the airport, it stops at the corner of Bencoolen and Bras Basah Roads.
Quirks of the almost-totally-automated transit system: when using multi-ride cards in the subway or buses, it is very important to buy them (whatever denomination or type) at least the day before travelling since most of the ticket windows do not open until 10 am (some not until noon). When they do open, there is often a line of 15 to 20 people so go early (9.45 am) if you did not plan ahead.
The national airlines of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Brunei have launched an air pass targeted at long haul travellers from the US and Europe. All you have to do is fly to any of the above countries on the airlines mentioned above and you can buy a ticket to any other destination within the six countries for only US$90. You need to buy at least three tickets however.
The office of Singapore Airlines is now in the Saigon Tower building at 27 Le Duan, District 1.
Bus 16 does not operate out of Changi Airport to the city anymore. Neither does the Airbus, which costs S$5 per passenger since 16 November 1998. There is a new Airport Shuttle Service which costs S$7 per passenger. The maxicab ferries six passengers only. It operates daily from both terminals between 9 am and 11.05 pm. It offers transfers to all hotels in and around the city, excluding the hotels on Sentosa & Le Meridien Changi.
Bus number 16 no longer travels to Changi Airport, only service no 36. It's quite misleading since they used to travel the same routes, but 36 now loops at Tomlinson Road, somewhere in the Orchard area and travels along the expressway to Marine Parade. There is also the Airbus, which takes passengers direct to the airport from the city centre for $5, a few dollars higher than a normal bus ride to the airport, but it has space allocated for luggage. Both services can be crowded at rush hour since they serve the Marine Parade residential district. For passengers travelling with a higher budget, there is the Mercedes cab that ferries passengers from the airport to anywhere in Singapore for a flat rate of $35, but for some places, an ordinary metered cab would be much more economical.
If you are travelling with Malaysian Railways from Singapore to anywhere in Malaysia or Bangkok, you can make a huge saving by getting the bus over to Johor Bahru and buying your tickets there. There are money changers opposite the train station, which is about 300m from Malaysian Customs at the border post.
The MRT has been extended and is now 83km in length with 48 stations.
Getting to Changi airport (Singapore) from the city is easy by bus. Number 16 and 36 buses, which run along the road in front of Raffles Hotel, go to the airport basement.
Today, bridge number two to Singapore is opening, but they're still fighting over the high tolls (four times the ones on the first bridge!) Prices for motorists crossing the 1.9km second link would be set at RM32, and prices on the first link are going up as well, to promote the usage of link number 2!
All ferries to Bintan Island, Indonesia now leave from the new terminal at Tanah Merah.
Getting back from Johor Bahru by bus: you can't get on and buy a ticket at the causeway/immigration area. You have to walk in the opposite direction and catch the 170 to the terminal, get off, go through immigration, then join the queue to get back on the bus again. Dozens of people (including me), went through immigration and joined the queue only to be told to go away and buy a ticket 'down the road'.
: םילכונ - תוריהז
The haze that shrouded Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia two years ago is back. The haze is caused by plantation and forest fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Up until now the PSI index is still below the hazardous level (in Singapore and Malaysia at least), but there is definitely a strong and irritating burning smell in the air. Concerned parties should check out the following Web site: www.gov.sg/metsin/home.html
Malaria warning: at the beginning of September 1998 we entered Singapore by ferry from Batam Island (Indonesia). As we were going through customs we were handed leaflets warning that there was a recent outbreak of malaria in the area of Singapore.
1) Malaysian embarkation form (white)
2) Malaysian Travellers Declaration Form (blue)
Both forms are available at the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (Singapore).
You will need to clear Malaysian Immigration first. They will not do anything to your passport or the white form.
Secondly, you will clear Malaysian Customs. These guys will chop and sign the blue form.
Then get on the train. Do not lose the train ticket or either of the forms. Since there is no visa in your passport these documents prove you entered Malaysia legally.
After a 45 minute ride youll have to clear Singapore Immigration and Customs. Go to the last two counters on the right, as they are usually the least crowded. At this point, Singapore Immigration will grant your exit visas.
Sahril Mahmood, Singapore (Oct 99)
Peter Buechel (Aug 99)
+65 836 4100
Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to noon
Take bus: 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123, 174
Nearest MRT: Orchard Road
Oliver Boedeker (Aug 98)
Anon (Feb 98)
Cassaundra Sledge (Feb 98)
Ben Peacock, Japan (Dec 97)
Lucy Bushell, UK (Dec 97)
Singapore Tourism Board Tourist Information Centre
Tourism Court
I Orchard Spring Lane, Singapore 247729
Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (Mon - Fri), 8:30am - 1pm (Sat)
Telephone: 1-800-736 2000
Liang Court Shopping Centre
Level 1, 177 River Valley Road, Singapore 179030
Opening hours: 10:30am - 9:30pm (Daily)
Telephone: 336 2888
3 Temasek Boulevard
#01-35/37/39//41 Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983
Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (Daily)
Telephone: 1-800-332 5066
Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore (Oct 99)
Lantern Festival 16 - 26 Sept. Deepavali Light-up 16 Oct - 13 Nov. Singapore River Buskers Festival 13 - 21 Nov. Christmas Light-up 19 Nov - 5 Jan 2000.
Raymond Ang, Singapore (Sept 99)
Laura Hughes, Australia (Aug 99)
David Edwards, UK (Apr 99)
Adam Preece (May 99)
Ture Alsvik, Denmark (Nov 98)
Johan, The Thorn Tree (Jul 98)
Mark Reed (Apr 98)
Concerning books, Borders Bookstore opened in November 1997 at Wheelock Place, corner Scott's Road, opposite Shaw House and next to Orchard Rd MRT station. Check out Borders extensive offerings on anything literary.
For newspapers and magazines: check out Holland Village, opposite the Post Office - one can't miss the stall with the wide range of papers, journals and magazines. In fact, Holland Village is such a popular place to eat, drink, shop or just hang out, that it might be worth a visit.
The free IS magazine is published on the first and third Friday of each month and gives plenty of useful information on what's on in Singapore. IS is available around town at pubs, restaurants, hotels, etc.
Listen for Singapore's arts radio station on 99.5 FM (since 1 December 1997). There is much going on at the substation: regular festivals are held, eg Nov-Dec Theatre Festival, or hosting the Writer's Week in July. Events are advertised in the 'Life!' section of the Straits Times, or pick up a monthly programme downtown at the substation.
Dr Margit Waas, Singapore (Mar 98)
Jackie Laine, UK (Nov 97)
Julia MacKenzie, United Kingdom (Oct 99)
John Nevison, Singapore (Aug 98)
Julia MacKenzie, United Kingdom (Oct 99)
Rogdet (Sept 99)
Michael Whelan, Australia (Jul 99)
Anne Preston, USA (Jun 99)
Some tourist attractions such as the zoo and the bird park have excellent shows, but these tend to concentrate in the mid-morning and late afternoon. Visits over the noon hour are not as interesting. Sentosa also tends to limit its weekday activities to the evenings. Tourists should know that each of these sites is at least an hour by subway/bus from downtown, and they should plan accordingly. The bus #171 is especially useful, going past the downtown museums, Orchard Rd and Bukit Timah Reserve almost all the way to the zoo (there is a short, well-marked transfer at Mandai Rd).
Edward Schlenk, USA (Mar 99)
Magdelene Lim (Feb 99)
Marco Perucchi, Switzerland (Jan 99)
Singapore Girl, The Thorn Tree (Jan 99)
Tan Shang Wei, Singapore (Dec 98)
John Holan, Australia (Dec 98)
Dr Margit Waas, Singapore (Mar 98)
Ashley Heath, Australia (Mar 98)
Jצrg Ausfelt, Sweden (Jan 98)
Ben Peacock, Japan (Dec 97)
Jackie Laine, UK (Nov 97)
Thng Hui Hong, Singapore (Aug 99)
Marlies (Sep 98)
1999 (C) Cly-on ל תורומש תויוכזה לכ