singapore/malaysia/china
Out of context: Reply #7
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- nicko0
SINGAPORE
Eat some great satay and other local delights at Lau Pa Sat Hawker Centre (best in the evening)
Go to the night safari (better than the Zoo IMO)
Visit Little India. Great for buying Indian gold, don't forget to haggle!
It's a cliche but have a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar at Raffles (don't attempt to get in if you're wearing shorts and flip-flops). If you have the inclination go and eat at the Tiffin Room at Raffles my nephew Haizul works there - he'll look after you!
Visit the Colonial area on the other side of the river to Boat Quay to see: great architecture, the Asian Civilisation museum, City Hall and the Padang
Visit the Merlion at the mouth of the Singapore River
Go to Funan in North Bridge Road if you want to buy cheap electronics
Shop in Orchard Road (already mentioned before) but more importantly check out the huuuuge Takashimaya mall
If you want a laugh got to the nightclubs in Orchard Towers (Top Ten and Crazy Horse) but be careful of tall the Asian 'women'
Visit Fort Canning. There's a nice spice / sculpture garden and the tomb of the warrior King of Temasek (Singapore)
Arab Street is a really nice place to be. Touristy shops sell arts and crafts in the shadow of the Sultan Mosque.
Singapore Botanic Gardens is great if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and also houses a really good restaurant called Halia (Halia = Ginger in Malay). Their menu uses ginger in most of it's dishes - sounds bad but it's really subtle
The chinese hawkers on the Joo Chiat Road makes great pepper and chilli crabs but get there early for dinner (about 4.30pm!)
MALAYSIA
Tioman has been mentioed and I can also recommend it. Really, really amazing diving opportunites. However if you're going soon the East coast of the peninsula is still in monsoon season til Jan / Feb.
KL has had practically all it's historic buildings destroyed in the path of progress. Seeing the Petronas twin towers is a must-see. Avoid the cheap tat at Petaling street (unless you're looking for a S$10 Rolex). Look out for the odd Pasar Malam (night markets)
Pangkor Laut: paradise comes at a price but really, really worth it!
Pictorial inspiration at http://www.mabuk.co.uk/