Last summer I spent four days in Singapore on my way back from Australia. Dividing the long flight with a stopover is quite a good idea.

Here are some ideas on what to do in Singapore.

1. New Asia Bar in the evening
Even though we looked like we really did not belong in the fancy-looking bar, there were no problems getting into the Swiss Hotel entrance and taking the elevator to the top floor. You are met by a great view over the skyskrapes by night. However, the expensive Singapore Sling drink can be found cheaper somewhere else.

2.Go back in time at Raffles Hotel
If you want to pay even more for the famous drink, you can order it at the classic Raffles Hotel. However, the price also includes salted peanuts with shells you can throw on the floor, and the possibility to experience the nice atmosphere.

3. Foodcourts / 'hawker' centre
Open spaces with lots of different food stands and chairs & tables in the middle. Eat very cheap food of all kinds.. noodles, woks, stews, casseroles, spring rolls, frogs (!).. and don't miss all the fresh juices. Very refreshing in the humid Singapore.

4. Pulau Ubin
An island outside the city. Take a bike trip in the jungle when you are tired of the big city. A woman was selling coconut juice from the shells on a small beach. There were very few cyclists there even though it was Saturday.. or at least not as many as you would expect, considering that most people should want to have a break from the big city pulse after a hectic work week and enjoy some fresh air and nature.. but maybe everyone just hangs out in the shopping centres.

5. Sentosa Island
Ok, very commercial but quite nice. Take the cable car across and then the free train to the different paradise beaches... palm trees, white sand.. and some tank boats on the water just outside the beach... There are also an aquarium, butterfly park etc.

6. Little India
Experience a miniature India! Spoil yourself with great raita, naan-bread, lassi, dhal... There was a vegetarian restaurant in almost every street corner - what a paradise! My favourite became the fast food restaurant Komala where the interior looked like McDonalds but instead of hamburgers, the menu consisted of different Indian meals. If you want to feel even more like you are in India you should visit Little India on a Sunday evening when ALL Indians in SIngapore seem to hang aroound outside the subway station and on the streets.

7. Chinatown
In Little China there are red lanterns hanging between the houses and there are lots of stands with souvenirs, oriental pillows, knick-knacks.... There is a nice temple just outside and yet another "hawker centre" with lots of food.

8. Suntec City
See the world's largest fountain! Experience light shows in the evenings and when you are tired of looking at the fountain, you can shop half the night in the shopping centre. I was there on a Sunday evening and even though it was around 10 o clock, the place was crowded.

9. Singapore River
Take a walk along the river and look at Merlion - the statue of the half fish - half lion, and the silver building shaped as a huge Durian fruit (an extremely smelly fruit.. there is even a sign in the subway saying you get a fine if you bring the fruit down there..) There are also a few (expensive) restaurants on the riverside and for some dollars you can take a boat taxi to the colorful houses with umbrella looking roofs at Clark Quay.

10. Orchard Road
Shop until you drop. I was tired after two shops and sat down for a cup of coffee and carrot cake instead in an airconditioned café. For people with more energy for shopping, Orchard Road has most brands and shops.

11. Temples
Even though Singapore feels very high tech with lots of skyskrapes, there are also beautiful temples of all kinds. One designed in black and red with chinese signs. Another one with colorful creatures.. a third one with tiger statues waiting outside. I went into the fourth one.. Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple in Little India. You take your shoes off on the outside so the visit had to be a quick one, regarding the steaming hot asfalt in the temple yard.

12. Mustafa Center
A shopping centre with five floors that sells EVERYTHING! Lots of food.. a whole isle with just naan-bread.. electronics.. kitchen ware.. beauty stuff.. towels.. flowers.. clothes.. bags... EVERYTHING! And it is open 24 hours. Not a bad idea if you wake up in the middle of the night thinking "NO! I should have bought that towel!"... :-)

13. 3 for 10 dollars
Close to Mustafa Center is a whole bunch of "the cheapest shops in Singapore"... At least they all show that sign. Mostly just crap but if you are looking for souvenirs and gifts for the people back home, it is not a bad place. Take 3 for 10 $.. 6 for 10 $.. etc.. I picked up a fridge magnet and right away, the annoying woman in the store came up and said if I took 6, it would only cost me 10 $.. otherwise just one would cost 2 $. I looked around a bit more with her following me.. and then only bought one magnet.. to her huge surprise.. (then she should have seen my fridge..)

14. Meet monkeys at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
A short bustrip from the city, you can walk throw rainforest up to the highest peak of SIngapore. If you are lucky, you see lots of cute monkeys running around near the pathway.

15. Chijmes
A beautiful, white church that, quite surprisingly, has been turned into an area with lots of restaurants and bars.

16. East Coast Park
Rent bikes or rollerblades and roll around by the beach, or have a pic-nic in one of the many bungalows that have been built next to the walkways. According to the guidebook, you can have swim but to be honest, I have seen better places for that..

17. Joo Chiat - Malaysian part of Singapore
East of the city centre, near East Coast Park. Go by subway and get off at Paya Lebar MRT Station. There are lots of nice "shop houses" on Joo Chiat Road and some temples in the area. There is a nice walk described in the Lonely Planet that will take you to most of them.
http://www.the-inncrowd.com/joochiat.htm
http://www.betelbox.com/about_joochiat.htm

http://www.orbville.com/member/ziesta/bilder/176100 http://www.orbville.com/member/ziesta/bilder/176105 More pictures on my Swedish page: http://www.reseguiden.se/forum/blogg/17-tips-vart-att-gora-i-singapore-7798