Outside India, I am very familiar with Singapore. I have been there many times and that’s due to having few relatives & friends there and that I usually stop over en route to my US trips. Also, Singapore is a shopper’s heaven for Electronics and gadgets. The last I travelled to Singapore was in November 2010 and this week for business meetings. In the last few trips, the craze for me on shopping gadgets has come down, for example when I went to the famous Funan IT Mall this time around I didn’t buy anything – which is a first for me!. This could be because I have most of the devices already (iPhone4, iPad2 from the US, Kinect for XBOX360 bought in India, Apple TV and so on). Second, most of the devices you get in India (Croma or Reliance Digital and so on) and the price difference is very low – buying in India saves you hassles of carrying them, warranty & customs duty in Airport. I have noticed that low-end & previous-generation gadgets which move in volumes are now cheaper in India and on top of it you have to pay Singapore Taxes (of course you can get a GST refund, but why the hassle).
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple
One of the days my uncle took me to the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road (Little India) where there was a Homam (offerings Hindu Ritual) to Lord Sudharshanar happening, I had a good Darshan.
Homam is being performed at Sri Srinivasa Perumal Koil, Singapore
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Koil, Singapore
The soup shop
While in Singapore one of the days for Lunch I went to Cedele by The Bakery Depot, a popular bakery & soup shop in Singapore. I was introduced to their shop in Raffles Quay (Basement 2 in Raffles Place MRT) by one of my friends in Singapore. For lunch, I had a lovely Moroccan Spiced Carrot (Vegetarian and without cream) and some slices of bread. I noticed they sell many organic and fresh varieties of Ice Cream, Pastries and Salads as well.
cedele raffles quay
Marina Bay Sands
Later, I went to the Marina Bay Sands Casino & Hotels. It seems you have to take your Passport and visa to enter the Casino “free” as a foreigner (localities are required to pay SGD100) and the bouncers didn’t accept my Soft copy on iPhone. So instead I went to the Skypark (54th Floor) after paying SGD 20. From the top, you get a great view of the city, but nothing spectacular.
View of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
View from the top of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Changi Airport
And every description of a trip to Singapore is incomplete without the praise of Changi Airport. I landed in the new Terminal 3 which is new and sparklingly clean, amazing how Singapore does it time and again.
Shops in Changi Airport Terminal 3, Singapore
Arrival hall – Changi Airport Terminal 3, Singapore