one only earth: Singapore

http://www.map-generator.net/

Why Singapore?
After almost 26 years old, finally can write something. Thought it will be nice to use some files that are almost fully loaded in hard disk, just sitting there after been used. They might be useful for someone who is looking for the reference where and how to travel to.

Don't wanna be called as a perfectionist, I used to plan my travel, especially for a new place I've never been there. First thing should be the map, it is very essential, though you think you can just simply sit at the rear seat of a cab and ask the cab driver to drive you to any place. Having a map means that you have your basic plan, a base to start, a base for you to put any objective or direction. At least it can be used as a universal way to communicate with a taxi driver in any language.

Sorting every point of interest is the next step. With a limited time to stay at one place, you have to decide the most interesting places you wanna be. Based on that, you can have your best route to travel, the effective route within a short time. For assistance, Google Map can be relied on.

Booking the ticket, either for transportation or accomodation, can be done next. Thus, you have your own travel itinerary.

So, why Singapore?
No reason actually, I've just been there at my last travel.

PLACES OF INTERESTS

MERLION PARK & ESPLANADE

You can officially say you've ever been is Singapore after you came to this landmark of Singapore.

Merlion, icon of Singapore, is an imaginary creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. Esplanade is a theatre building located across river of Merlion and designed like a shape of Durian.

The best transport access to get to this place is Raffles MRT Station. It is located next to Fullerton Hotel and Cavenage Bridge, about 10 minutes walk away from the site. Another way is taking the river cruise, which will take you to Singapore river tour, including Merlion and Clarke Quay.

Get there:
Bus : Raffles Avenue shelter --> 36, 56, 75, 70, 77, 97, 106, 111, 133, 162, 171, 174M, 195, 502, 700A, 857, 960, 961, NR1, NR2, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8.
MRT : City Hall (NS25/EW13) or Raffles Place (NS26/EW14)

SENTOSA ISLAND

This is the Singapore theme park, the Disneyland of Singapore. Yes, this is the resort island of Singapore. Why? Because travelling to this place means you can get anything you want on a vacation. Everything is there; amusement park, zoo, museum, beach, golf course, hotel, and the upcoming Universal Studio theme park.

Sentosa Island can be reached by three ways, which are: Sentosa Express (MRT), Sentosa Bus, and Sentosa Cable Car. For best deal, you can get package of attractions at the Sentosa ticket counter, which is located in Vivo City Mall, next to Harbour Front MRT Station.

Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom

Images of Singapore

Luge & Skyride

Sky Tower

Merlion

Songs of the Sea

Get there:

MRT : HarbourFront (NE1/CC29) --> Vivocity Mall --> Sentosa Bus/Train/Cable Car.

ORCHARD ROAD

Orchard Road is the "heaven" for shopaholic. A great place to find anything you want, even the thing you ever think that it doesn't exist. Always be in crowd, but sure everything is so well arranged, clean, and comfortable. Lots of shopping mall, boutiqes, outlets, from the cheapest to the most expensive are available.

Tips: list out your needs, so you will not get lost into wondering things you don't want before.

Get there:
MRT : Orchard (NS22) or Somerset (NS23)

FOUNTAIN OF WEALTH & SUNTEC CITY

Meet the world's largest fountain at the Singapore's largest shopping mall, Fountain of Wealth at Suntec City. It is believed on feng-shui that the inward water flow means the riches coming in, then people who can reach the fountain base and touch the water will be blessed with good luck.

Get there:

MRT : City Hall (EW13/NS25)

CHINATOWN, BUGIS, & LITLLE INDIA

Find special things with special prices here, as each name literally means the real situation out there. No fixed price, so you will need your bargaining skills to get the best price.

Get there:

Chinatown = MRT : Chinatown (NE4) or Outram Park (EW16)

Bugis = MRT : Bugis (EW12)

Little India = MRT : Little India (NE7) or Farrer Park (NE8)

JURONG BIRD PARK

It is a home for total approx. 8,000 birds with 600 species differences from all around the world. Total area of 20.2 hectare, complete with the only bird hospital in the world - i guess so =]

Ticket Price:

S$18.00 (adults), S$9.00 (kids 3 – 12 years old)
Monorail Ticket Price:
S$5.00 (adults), S$2.50 (kids 3 – 12 years old)
Operational Hours:
8.30 am – 6.00 pm
Get there:
MRT : Boon Lay Station (EW27) --> SBS Transit Bus 194/251 at Boon Lay Bus Interchange.

LAVENDER STREET & BALESTIER STREET

Nothing special in this place for a common visitor, but not for backpackers. Lot of hostels and budget hotels are available along both streets, including a bus station for them who prefer land transportation for its friendly cost.

SINGAPORE F1 NIGHT RACE

(REUTERS/Tim Chong)

Singapore Grand Prix is held on Marina Bay circuit, with a total track length of 5,067 km, 13 left turns and 10 right turns. Singapore broke the common pattern of F1 race by performing night race at the first time ever in September 2008. The circuit itself is the first street circuit in Asia.

Tips: Better to avoid the schedule of F1 Race if you have no interest to watch it, due to of roads closure especially for Marina Bay area. Moreover, rate of transportation and accommodation will be high within this peak season. If you have to, then you can find alternative roads on the maps that available in many public places.

ACCOMMODATION

Below is the list of recommended budget hotels, I assume you can find all luxury hotels easily on many of travel webs. Recommended means the "value for money" things, safe and clean enough, accessible from transportation routes, and e-voucher (online reservation) ready.
Value Hotel - stayed there once, good condition, tiny size - max. 2 people w/ size of mine, cigarettes smelled.
Fragrance Hotel
Hotel 81

Have a lower budget? Try these hostels:
Radius International City Lodge
Rucksack Inn - Clarke Quay
Kamar Lucky Plaza
ABC Backpackers Hostel
Hangout Hostel

Tips: For a family travel, stay out of Geylang which is known as a red-district area.

MAPS OF SINGAPORE

Map of Singapore

Map of Singapore City

Map of Singapore Metro