VISITORS TO SINGAPORE WISHING TO SAMPLE SOME OF THE MYSTIQUE ASSOCIATED WITH ITS FOUNDER SIR STAMFORD RAFFLES WILL FIND A CHOICE AWAITING THEM.
They can ofcourse stay at the legendary Raffles Hotel,home of the Singapore, Sling and the epitome of colonial charm, and where the suite that Somerset Maugham stayed in is still available for occupancy.
BY AIR, THE SMOOTH DESCENT OVER SINGAPORE;S HARNBORAND CITY A SHORELINE IN BUSINESS BY DAY.AN ILLUMINATED CITY PLANNERS OUTLINE BY NIGHT IS WELL WORTH A WINDOW SEAT ON THE NEAREST SIDE.
EVEN BEFORE LANDING YOU WILL SEE THE AIRPORTS MAGNIFICENT 257FOOT [78METER] TALL CONTROL TOWER. SINGAPORE'S CHANGI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PROJECTS AN AURA OF GRANDEUR. IN ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL CARRIER, SINGAPORE AIRLINES IT IS THE TOUCHDOWN TOR 35 INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES WITH MORE THAN 170 FLIGHTS A DAY . SINCE IT OPENED IN1981,ASIA'S LARGEST AND MOST MODERN AIRPORT HAS PROVIDED FOR UP TO 40 AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS EVERY HOUR, FACILITIES TO HANDLE 2.5 MILLION TONS OF CARGO AND 10 MILLION PASSENGERS EVERY YEAR AND PARK CAPACITY FOR 2,138 VEHICLES.AND PHASE TWO, WHEN COMPLETED IN THE LATE 1980S WILL DOUBLE THOSE FIGURES.
Time Conversion:Singapore Standard Time is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Meridian Time. Aside from time variations made in certain countries during specific seasons, international time differences are staggered as follows:
Singapore: 12 noon today.
Hong Kong: 12 noon today
Bangkok:11a.m today
New Delhi:9.30 a.m today
Paris:5a.m today
London :4a.m.today
New York :11p.m yesterday
San Francisco:8p.m yesterday
Hawaii:6p.m yesterday
Sydney:2 p.m today
Tokyo: 1p.m today
The city: The city is very safe and a cool drink is never far away. So you can also do the entire city on foot in a few days.
Most city tours of Singapore take about four hours from the comfort of coaches that pick you up at your hotel. Alternatively, you can also take an individualized tour with a qualified guide recommended by the Singapore tourist promotion board.Most tours cost in the range or S$30.
The old colonial heart of Singapore is located around the mouth of the Singapore River and the Padang -- the town common where on weekends you can still watch a leisurely game of cricket.
The Padang is flanked on one side by City Hall. which houses important government ministries and the office of the prime minister. The area is also worth a visit at night when the neoclassical columns of City Hall, built by Indian convicts, takes on a majestic air under spotlights.
