So today I’ve decided to write a little about what you can do near the conference venue while attending the conference. The list is not exhaustive, and I’ll also write more about ad-hoc events happening in Singapore around the time of the conference. Do leave a comment on what kind of events would interest you! My job would be to hunt for those events. (;
[Originally, I've intended this as a really short overview only, but it seems that I got too excited writing and went slightly overboard... s: ]
Orchard Road
Night scene @ Orchard
What description of Singapore would be complete without Orchard Road! It is the shopping hub of Singapore, and lined with shopping centres from one end to the other end. My favourite places include Takashimaya, with a Kinokuniya bookstore occupying half a floor, and great food stalls on the second basement (and lots of branded shops); Plaza Singapura, again food and cheaper range of clothes; and Paragon shopping centre. You can also take a leisure walk along the road. Wait. No, no leisure walk there! At least not on the weekend. It is usually packed enough that I wouldn’t call it leisure. The best part is that Orchard Road is just about 10 minutes bus ride from the conference venue at Suntec (Suntec is also a great place to shop, btw), and since most shops and dining place opens until at least 9pm (mostly 10pm, Borders bookstore at Wheelock Place is open even until midnight!), you can put this on your visit list one evening after the conference.
Singapore Flyer
Singapore Flyer fireworks
Currently, Singapore Flyer, at 165 metres, is the largest Ferris wheel in the world, it overshadows London Eye by 30 metres and Star of Nanchang by (mere) 5 metres. Try it before it got beaten by Beijing Great Wheel (at 208 metres; planned opening late 2009) and you can brag to your friends that you have ridden the largest Ferris wheel in the world! You can view beautiful view of Singapore skyline from the flyer with the waterfront on the opposing side. Ticket for adult is going for SGD29.50 (with VIP ticket going for thrice the normal price). You can also shop and dine at the flyer’s retail terminal. The flyer is also a short distance away from Suntec, making it a wonderful destination for the evening. Check out the official website and remember to make an online booking beforhand to avoid disappointment.
Singapore Art Museum
Singapore Art Museum
From the few museums in Singapore that I have visited, Singapore Art Museum leaves the best impression. It actually reminds me quite a bit of SFMOMA (granted SFMOMA has impressive collections). The building itself is a leftover from colonial era. It used to be a middle school, St. Joseph’s Institution/SJI, which has moved to a new location at Malcolm Rd (yes, I know a lot because SJI is my alma mater, which might explain my bias towards SAM as well). You can check out their current exhibitions here nearer to August. While it usually closes at 7pm, it opens until 9pm on Friday, plus they usually have free admission on Friday, 6pm-9pm. If you can spare an hour or two, take a walk from Suntec to SAM, which is just about one kilometre away. You can enjoy a late dinner at a nearby Kopitiam food court as well. Alternatively, throw in a dining experience at another colonial-style building, which used to be another middle school (CHIJ), CHIJMES, just across the road from SAM (check out the list of restaurants here). Meanwhile, check out SAM website.
The Esplanade
The Esplanade
For those among you who love music, dance, theatre, or visual arts, don’t forget to visit Esplanade, Theatre on the Bay, which is linked directly to Suntec (it’s just across the road! And there is an underpass connecting the two together). Also affectionately known as the Durian (yes, you have to remind me to write about this fruit) due to its shape, it’s the premier location for performing arts. Check out the events closer to August, and make advanced booking for the more popular show just in case. You can also shop and dine in the vicinity. Finally, library@Esplanade is tucked in neatly on a corner of the third floor and boasts collections relevant to performing arts (including tonnes of music scores!). Check out the official website here.
Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay at Night
Finally, for the night life and bars, visit Clarke Quay. Located at the waterfront of a historical riverside quay near the mouth of Singapore River, the place is always buzzing at night. Enjoy fine dining, bars, and club scene as well. Opens until late night! There is also this little attraction: the reverse bungee, within the vicinity. If you visited when the sun is still up, you might be able to ride on a boat along Singapore River.
Clarke Quay is unfortunately a little further from Suntec than would have been convenient. Check out gothere.sg to plan your journery there (in fact, you can use gothere.sg to plan for just about any journey within Singapore; I always do, whenever I’m visiting unfamiliar places). Clarke Quay website can be found here.
So that’s it for today. Remember to leave a comment on what you would like to hear from me about Singapore and its surrounding (and if I can’t answer, I’ll find someone who can!). Hope you enjoyed reading the article. (:
Acknowledgment:
- Night scene @ Orchard is courtesy of Steel Wool (license: CC).
- Singapore Flyer/Fireworks courtesy of haechoo (license: CC).
- Singapore Art Museum courtesy of terryansimon (license: CC).
- Esplanade, Theatre on the Bay courtesy of neilalderney123 (license: CC).
- Clarke Quay at night courtesy of wenzday01 (license: CC).