A month in Singapore, would you go?

[Sockmate123]

Just that really. DH has been asked to work there for a month potentially myself and 2 kids (11 &7) can go too. We love to travel but haven't been to Asia with the kids yet. I would be largely with the children by myself except for weekends. I have heard its very safe.
With the horrible news about Singapore Airlines yesterday that has also concerned me only because so many people are coming out saying they also experienced severe turbulence on that route....

Thoughts? Also if you are familiar with Singapore what would be the best area for us to stay in?

Aww thank you 😊

Lol thank you, we are usually adventurous, kidd have already done some very cool stuff including Safari in South Africa. This was just sprung on us and decisions will be made in coming week. It's not 100% DH is going but looking likely

Definitely my eldest daughter is just coming to the end of a year in Malaysia. Make the most of it and go

Ohhhh you must go! Your kids will have the most epic time. I haven't lived there but several friends have, with and without kids, and it is well known for being safe, cosmopolitan and full of things to do - plus you have the rest of SEA on your doorstep to explore!

If I was one of your kids and found out later that this had been a possibility that you'd decided against in favour of another UK summer, I'm not sure I'd ever forgive you 🤣

Ha! When we got home from a Singapore and Malaysia trip, my eldest disappeared into the study, on the family computer. She came down a couple of hours later with a list of international schools there that were advertising for teachers. DH and I were both teachers!

I think we can take from that, that she loved the region. She may not have forgiven us for not applying 😂

Only as a base to visit other nearby countries. Singapore is hot, expensive and as boring as batshit.

It's not boring unless you stay on Orchard Road and think that the entire state is all shops.

And kids certainly won't find it boring. If accommodation is provided, then the expensive bit isn't a concern. And yes, it's hot and humid, but it's easy to nip into air conditioning pretty much everywhere.

I used to be a bit of a travel snob about Singapore back in the day, but once we took our kids we appreciated it a lot more.

Easy to travel by ferry to Bintan Island, Indonesia or Johor, Malaysia by prearranged taxi.

Singapore does have a reputation of being a bit dull in SE Asia (a city state air-conditioned shopping mall), not too dissimilar in attitude to Belgium for mainland Europeans.

Saying that though, Singapore is safe and has Michelin starred street food vendors. A wonderful mix of Malay, Indian, Singaporean and European cultures.

Sentosa Island is people-made entertainment resort with Universal Studios, beaches etc.

Johor, Malaysia, has Legoland and a Legoland water park. There are truly wonderful islands to visit off Malaysia - around 3 hours away door to door (including boat) to Tioman Island.

There are some great museums in Singapore too; such as Battle Hill and the Old Ford Factory.

Yes. Certainly.

I am from Singapore, OP. You're welcome to ask me any questions. I moved to the Uk about 7 years ago.
Singapore is a very safe country, clean, great transport infrastructure, and AMAZING food. I used to leave the house at 11pm on my own, even as a teenager to meet my friends for supper and never worried about crime etc.
Lots to do, easy to travel to Bali, Phuket for a quick holiday.
It is expensive though, so hopefully they're paying your husband well.

Use it as a base and travel the area. Go to Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Philippines… anywhere around there really!! Depends on when you go, could be hot as fuck tho…

yes you do get turbulence around there but obviously it’s very unusual to have it so violent and unpredictable that it sadly caused death.

Anyone saying 100% yes! I’d love. Month there. So much to see and do. Gardens By the Bay is amazing for kids. Sentosa has so much to see/do too. You can make it as cheap or as expensive as you like. The supermarkets are fabulous and cheap too. China Town and Little India are so unique. So much to see and do and you kids will learn so much too.

You can't turn down an opportunity like that!! We were their briefly (like 36 hours) enroute to Sydney last summer. We were melting, sooo hot, but you acclimatise quickly if you stay longer than we did. There is a Universal studios theme park on Sentosa, if your kids are thrill seekers, and plenty of other attractions like the night zoo to keep kids entertained. Also plenty of cultural experiences too. There are also attractions just across the border in Johor Bahru (Malaysia) which is a short bus ride.away Hawker markets are great for food. Definitely need to get out and visit Georgetown or Thailand for a few days whilst your husband is in work.

I've travelled by coach from Singapore up to Kuala Lumpur before when I was in my twenties. I felt safe then and would probably do it with my kids then, so that could be a relatively cheap trip from Singapore

In Singapore itself there's so much to do. My kids really enjoyed the art science exhibition near marina sands.

If history is your thing, there is the Changi prison museum. It tells the story of prisoners of war from WW2 and is well worth a visit if you have the time.

Sentosa Island is also great.

A curry buffet lunch or afternoon tea at the raffles hotel is pricey, but well worth a visit.

There's a Lego land just over the border in Malaysia, which has great public transport links from Singapore

If you wanted a beach break there's Langkawi and redang island in Malaysia (on opposite sides of the peninsula- so have different rainy seasons, so check this before picking which to go to) Or if you fancied something further afield you can easily fly to Bali or Lombok in Indonesia

As for turbulence, I always tell the kids to make sure they've been to the toilet and strapped back in to their seats by the time the flight has reached the opposite side of India, as soon as the plane enters the Bay of Bengal things can get a little rough. The incident the other day is worrying, but I will still enjoy the flights I have booked for August.

Hope your travel plans all work out.

I love Singapore. It’s small for a month’s visit but there is proportionally so much great stuff to do and you’ll be able to do it all, funds permitting. There are buses to Malaysia, I don’t recall it taking too long to get to KL, another great city. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, I’d grab it!

Go!

@Sockmate123

If you don't go, can I take your place?!

Will his company be flying him business class? My dh previous company would fly staff business class, or they could opt to go economy and bring a plus one along (2 economy tickets still cheaper than one upgraded ticket). It might be worth asking whoever is in charge of booking the travel.

Yes! We lived there years ago the kids were 7 and 10 at arrival and we loved it - there so much to do - the zoo- the river safari - universal - gardens by the bay - aquarium and yes you will have a pool with your condo so no need to go out every day even exploring hawker centers and trying lots of food - go! But yes it's expensive

I lived in Sg for a while. It’s referred to by friends of mine as “ Asia Light”. The safest place I’ve ever lived , makes no difference if you are walking solo at 3 in the afternoon or 3am. Go for it. Humidity is very high so aim most activities early morning and evening. The quality of local food is good and cheap but expect to pay 20% more ( at least) for western type food . It’s a great base to explore other parts of Asia too.

Forgot to say there are coaches from Sg to Malaysia- JB and onwards . It’s linked by a causeway

@Sockmate123 I used to live in SG. Very very very safe. Didn’t have children at the time. JB is an easy coach trip if you want to do LEGOLAND in a day. Almost anywhere is fine to stay because most people don’t have a car. Don’t buy food to eat in, cheaper to eat out.

We lived there for a year and hated it. It’s boiling hot and there is a torrential storm almost daily. You have to worry about dengue fever from the mosquitoes. There is very little to do with small children due to the climate. I wouldn’t bother. Go to Bali instead and have your husband fly out to join you at the weekend!

I could not agree more. Everything worth doing in Singapore can be done over a long weekend. I do not include orchard road in that because the shopping is rubbish and more expensive than the uk. The zoo, the botanical gardens, gardens by the bay and sentosa are worth doing if you are there. Raffles hotel is nice and Les Amis and Odette are nice for a special dinner. That is literally all I have to say about Singapore that is positive after living there for a year and trying to find things to do!!!

I lived there a few years ago and agree to go.
There are many Aparthotels so accommodation should be fine.
For travelling, if the company propose to pay for BA or Singapore Airlines, I would suggest you offer to go on emirates or Qatar as a family which will safe significantly on the (additional) costs.

Agree to plan side trips and would also add Perth and Maldives to the list, maybe for a week/two at the end. I would definitely think about making at least 2 Fri-Mon visits to somewhere else.

A month will fly by there, so I would really think about creating an itinerary/schedule so that you don’t miss stuff.In Singapore I would recommend Zoo/Night Safari/Sentosa/memories at Old Ford