Interesting things in Manila and Singapore?

Tiglath

Hi all - I'm going to Manila and Singapore in April (a week in each, transferring on the middle Saturday). I'll mostly be in the office and staying in the financial district (Makati) in Manila and Marina Square in Singapore, but am after some hints on things to do in my free time. Any particular recommendations?

Kernow666

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g294265-Singapore-Vacations.html


https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g298573-Manila_Metro_Manila_Luzon-Vacations.html

Ballard

I really enjoyed the botanic gardens in Singapore.

https://www.sbg.org.sg/

Voyager2002

Manila is not a place to visit for pleasure, but since you have to be there for work...

In Makati, the Ayala art gallery is pretty good;
The districts of Malate and Ermita (they shade into each other) are worth a visit. Malate Church is beautiful, and you might like to know that it was the centre of government for the two years when Britain ruled the Philippines! If you get a chance to chat with the priests there then do so: they have played a part in modern Philippine history;
Still in Malate, there are some great bars for music and multi-cultural fun. Check out Bogota and Havana for fun with a Latin theme.

Out in Quezon City, the campus of the University of the Philippines is large and beautiful. The Catholic church there is always open (no walls) and has some wonderful wall-paintings. Opposite it, the Protestant church has a very good choir, although you would probably have to be there on a Sunday to hear them.

slinga

Well you can shop in the malls but you can do that anywhere.

A walk around China town is good and eating a fish head curry at The banana Leaf or Muthu's in Little India is great.

Don't bother with the Singapore Sling at Raffles overpriced and not the original recipe.

Kampong Glam is another area to stroll around and eat.

In fact eating is a good pastime here although a lot of the local places are overated in comparison to what they used to be like.

Beaches??? Well you wouldn't swim from any, although the beach behind the airport near to Changi village is nice as is the beach and boardwalk at Ponggol.

The Changi Prison Museum is a possible visit but once was enough for me.
The Bird Park and Zoo always get good reviews if that is your thing but without kids tagging along you might not want to go.
The Horse Racing at Kranji, easily reached by MRT, is a good night out.

Take the MRT out to Clementi, from Raffles Place MRT and you'll travel through tee tops for some of the way. Take the No7 bus back from Clementi bus station to the far end of Orchard Rd and you'll see how the ex pats are housed, sit upstairs in the front.
The bus station and MRT at Clementi are a 2 minute walk apart.

eDicky

Voyager2002 wrote: »

The Catholic church there is always open (no walls) and has some wonderful wall-paintings.

This miracle surely lacks the fame it deserves..!

Voyager2002

eDicky wrote: »

This miracle surely lacks the fame it deserves..!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parish_of_the_Holy_Sacrifice

novelty-socks

Last time I visited Singapore I could quite happily have spent a week eating my way around the city. Lots of great chicken and rice. dim sum, Chinese and more all available easily and cheaply. My favourite was the dim sum place near Wangz Hotel.

PompeyPete

Singapore hasn't been the same since the demise Boogie Street...

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/the_transgender_women_of_singapores_boogie_street

joebob

sentosa island is worth a visit. fort siloso was interesting showing singapores involvement i ww2

dondo

The gardens by the bay in Singapore are excellent

http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en.html

If you are flying Singapore Airlines- hang onto your boarding card as that will get you a discount- also you can get a discounted bus tour with them too https://www.silverkris.com/stories/sia-hop-bus-stops-around-singapore

Loads of great food places too- especially the hawker centres