Michael Ziemer's Blog

Bacall Associates Travel Singapore: Things To Do At Changi Airport Singapore

 

Topping the list of the World's Best Airports for years now, Singapore's Changi Airport upholds extraordinary service for its guests and passengers . While waiting for a flight here, travelers are treated to a wide array of activities and services that could easily make a hours of layover feel like a vacation . Here are some of the things in store for passengers:

 

  1. There is a movie theatre located in Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and Transit Area where travellers can have film screenings free of charge. Moreover, there is an entertainment deck at Terminal 2 and Transit Area where guests can enjoy music in an MTV booth, or indulge in a sports game in the Xbox Kinect room.

 

  1. Get cozy in the pool and Jacuzzi (yep, a jacuzzi!). Situated at Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel at Terminal 1 are swimming pool facilities and a jaczzi. available for an amount of $17 SGD.

 

  1. Take a glimpse of orchids, cactus and plants. Head to Terminal 2 see more than 700 wonderful orchids and other beautiful plant species. The cactus garden awaits at Terminal 1 where travellers can view more than 100 species of cacti and other arid plants.

 

  1. Go shopping! There are loads of stores that can satisfy the needs of different shoppers and tourists. There are local products, international brands and duty free items to choose from.

 

  1. Pause and relax at the rest areas and massage chairs. These facilities are located at the Snooze Lounge at Terminal 1, Sanctuary Lounge & at Oasis Lounge at Terminal 2, and at the Snooze Lounge at Terminal 3.The massage chairs are located across all terminals and they don't cost any cent.

 

  1. Use the internet connection. In all terminals, there are around 400 internet/computer docks available for all travellers to use. There are also connection facilities via the airport's wi-fi service Wifi@Changi, mobile phone surfing and WiFi Password Kiosks. The best part? these are all free of charge.

Bacall Associates Travel Singapore: How To Maximize Your Time In Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore!

 

Planning an itinerary for a 3-nation 7-day vacation is a daunting task especially if you don't know much about the countries you are about to visit. Fortunately for you, we have the best travel tips on how to maximize your time if you're planning a Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore budget trip.

 

Days 1 To 3: Bangkok, Thailand

 

Book a flight that will have you arrive late at night at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport to avoid the usual vehicular traffic on your way to the hotel, spend the night resting and preparing yourself for the adventure ahead.

 

The next day, explore Thailand's famous temples: the Wat Arun Temple (The Temple of Dawn), which according to CNN, is one of the most revered icons in Thailand, the Wat Pho temple (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), and the Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

 

After sampling the local Thai food for lunch, return to action by exploring the Khlongs of Thonburi (Bangkok Canals) via public ferries. Spend the rest of the afternoon taking in the sights at the Grand Palace, one of the world's most visited palaces and castles according to CNN. Cap off the day by learning about Thailand's history via the Siam Niramit Show.

 

On your second day, explore another world famous landmark in Bangkok, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Visit the Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo, the Crocodile Wrestling Show and the Elephant Theme Show, and then go shopping at the Bangkok Weekend Market. Cap off the day with a Royal Chao Phraya Cruise Dinner Cruise. Have a good night's rest to prepare for your flight to your next destination the following day: Malaysia.

 

Days 4 And 5: Malaysia

 

After an early flight, you'll arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at around noon. Check in at your hotel and then go out and explore Kuala Lumpur's famous landmarks. Go to Merdeka Square, the Menara Telecommunications Tower, the Titiwangsa Park, Petronas Twin Towers, Suria KLCC, Petrosains (Petroleum Discovery Centre), CNN0 (located at the 3r floor Suria KLCC), the CNN1 (located at the Twin Towers podium level). End the day by shopping and dining at Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur's well-known night market. Check out early next day and book a CNN2.

 

Day 5 To 7: Singapore

 

Day 5 starts with the bus-ride from Malaysia to Singapore will have you arriving at around noon. After checking in to your hotel, go out exploring CNN3, Fullerton Heritage, The Raffles Place, CNN4, Marina Bay Sands and Bugis Village. End the day by visiting the Fountain of Wealth at Suntech City.

 

Day 6 starts by taking in the sights at the parks then relaxing at the Resorts World Sentosa. End the day by going off a tour in the Night Safari.

 

Day 7 and your last day in Singapore will be spent at the Universal Studios. Enjoy the theme park's blockbuster movie and television series-themed rides.

 

Bacall Associates Travel Singapore: How To Maximize Your Stay In Singapore

 

Singapore has a rich history well preserved and functional and combined with the most modern attractions and amenities. Here's a 5-day travel tip to maximize your time in Singapore.

 

Day 1: Singapore Landmarks

 

Start your day at the Merlion Park where you can see Singapore's most famous landmark the Merlion. From the Merlion Park, visit the ArtScience Museum located at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Since you're already in the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, check out its casino or just splash at its gorgeous infinity pool which is the highest and largest in the world. End your day marveling the sight surround the world's largest giant observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer.

 

Day 2: Temples, Parks & Safari

 

Begin the day by visiting the Sri Mariamman Temple, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, and the Thian Hock Keng Temple. These temples are accessible by just walking since they are situated not less than a kilometer apart. Rest and relax at the Esplanade Park after visiting the Temples, and then visit the River Safari. You can end your day by touring the Night Safari.

 

Day 3: Take A Trip Through Singapore's Rich History

 

Day 3 starts with a stroll to the ArtScience Museum0 and then retracing the colonial history of Singapore by visiting one of the three quays on the Singapore River, the ArtScience Museum1. From these historical sites, you can visit the ArtScience Museum2 and the ArtScience Museum3 (chimes), formerly called the Caldwell House. The last stop for the day is the ArtScience Museum4 which has the largest collections of Singapore, Southeast Asian, and East Asian contemporary art.

 

Day 4: Explore Resorts World Sentosa

 

ArtScience Museum5 is located on the island of Sentosa and has an area of 49 hectares. Within the park, you can feast your eyes on the Marine Life Park, the S.E.A. Aquarium, and the Maritime Experiential Museum. Interact and learn about the bottlenose dolphins at the Dolphin Island, and splash around the Adventure Cove Waterpark. End the day by walking through a museum and interact with the art work in the Trick Eye Museum.

 

Day 5: Universal Studios Singapore

 

ArtScience Museum6 is divided into 7 zones, visitors can enjoy cutting-edge rides, shows, and attractions based on blockbuster movies and television series. The zones include the Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar.

 

Singapore is a small country with its many attractions within walking distance from each other. While some of them are farther away, they can easily be reached via Singapore's public buses, trains, and taxi's.

Bacall Associates Travel Singapore: Travel Guide

I’ve been to Singapore twice (in 2013 & 2016), and spent a total of 7 days in the city — it’s one of my favorite places in Asia! In this blog post, I am going to give you an overview of the city, and provide travel tips and recommendations for things like culture, attractions, food, nightlife and more. Everything you read is based off my own experiences.

 

GENERAL THOUGHTS ON SINGAPORE

 

Singapore is a bustling hub of culture, food, and all around good vibes. It’s the most modern city in Asia. It’s vibrant, it’s energetic, and it always leaves me fascinated.

 

If you think New York City is busy, just wait until you see Singapore. People are always in a hurry and they walk really fast (they are actually ranked the fastest walkers on earth). It seemed like everything was happening in fast motion, which always kept me on my toes!

 

You might be surprised to hear that Singapore is a tiny tropical island, made up of 6 million people (75% Chinese). It’s located just 80 miles north of the equator — so the temperature is always hot and humid. It’s tropical location provides 17 nature reserves and more than 1.4 million trees!

 

The thing that stands out most about Singapore is the extreme cleanliness.

 

Seriously — the streets are cleaner than my washing machine.

 

Why is everything so clean in Singapore?

 

Well, Singapore has some of the strictest laws in the world. There are street signs all around the city reminding everyone not to litter, smoke, chew gum, run, spit, etc. If you don’t follow the rules, then you must pay a steep fine. But nearly everyone obeys the rules, which is why Singapore is also of the safest cities in the world.

7 tips to plan a memorable getaway trip by Bacall Associates Travel Singapore

During holidays, you're probably thinking of having a vacation trip with your family to create fun memories with them, right? As one of the experts in travel, Bacall Associates sees this as a great opportunity for you and your family to relax yourselves, so you should make this trip into reality.

 

The Bacall team provided the following to help you plan your holiday trip:

 

Create a travel journal

 

Having your own travel journal can help you organize things needed in your getaway because all data are kept in one place. A handwritten journal is preferred by many because it gives an emotional experience than an electronic journal; whatever you write there will be important to you and you will see your thoughts in your writing, which can make memories to each and every page. Handwritten journals provide stronger impression than electronic journals.

 

Pick your top travel destinations

 

Write down the destinations you like in your journal, and if you end up with a long list, try eliminating places one by one until you’re left with your top three. Bacall Associates needs you to have a short list so that it will be easier for you to choose which one is the best for your holiday trip whether traveling in Singapore, Japan or any United Kingdom.

 

Study each place on the list

 

Know everything you can about each place in your list and note every important detail you can find to help you compare them a lot more carefully. You can use Google or Bing to your research or ask your relatives or close friends for any information about each location.

 

Know the weather condition

 

When you're done choosing your final destination for your holiday trip, you should then consider the weather condition of that place during the time of your travel. Is it going to be a warm or a cold weather once you get there? You should match your clothing to the weather then make a list of clothes you're going to bring, along with a list of toiletries and cosmetics you need.

 

Pack light

 

In case you end up with a lot of things to carry, try removing items that aren't really needed for your trip. Avoid bringing things that are quite expensive because you'll only worry about their safety. If it’s possible, you should pack light because the less you have, the less stressed you will be.

 

Book in advance

 

You’ve seen this tip on several articles before and Bacall Associates also consider this to be very cost-effective. You should make your travel arrangements well in advance to get great discounts.

 

Contact a professional

 

If necessary, you should contact a professional travel agent because their expert help can give you the reassurance that everything will be alright in case something goes wrong. All the reservations your travel agent made on your behalf should be written in your journal.

 

Bacall Associates now in Singapore suggests that you should stay composed all the time and don't stress yourself too much so that you will surely enjoy your getaway trip with your family and build unforgettable memories with them, which you can cherish forever.

 

Bacall Associates Travel Singapore: To be lost in the city

 

 

We all work for something. Be it a want, a goal or dream, that we follow the same routine, drive the same highways a hundred or even a thousand of times, do the same thing over and over again to earn and simply enjoy our lives.

 

But there will be times when you will just feel tired, I felt tired. I wanted a break, a short vacation, but little I had known that I was out of time. Summer had grown to a close and I was left with little time to plan, prepare and ready myself. I was supposed to be relaxing, that was then that I found Bacall Associates when I was at my wit’s end.

 

Working for hours to free up the next days while preparing everything proved to be tiresome. But Bacall fixed everything. In the end, I was only able to bring a few clothes, basic amenities and needs and next thing I know, I was on a plane. They prepared me a schedule that I can chose to follow, contacted hotels and made reservations and basically everything that I needed to do but didn’t have time to.

 

It was an hour after dawn when I arrived, most attractions are closed for the next few hours, and I had nothing to do. I checked in the given hotel dropped of what little things I had bring and took a walk.

 

As I stroll, I bought off what I didn’t bring, like clothes, bought myself some comfortable sandals (all in which I brought home as souvenirs) and continued to let myself be lost in the city. Had a lunch in a local restaurant I had passed through when I strolled (I’d recommend the Bak Chor Mee) and ultimately enjoyed.

 

Days went pass as I visited tourist spots like the gardens, the man made waterfalls and a lot more that in the end I felt satisfied. It was relaxing. It was then that I decided that once a year or two, I will take a vacation, god knows where but thankfully there is Bacall and Associates to help me with that.

 

Bacall Associates Travel: How to do Singapore on a Budge

This article was written by Sia Ling Xin, who travels and writes about it for Asiarooms.com, a blog and online community focused on travelling in Asia. You can also find her on Twitter.

 

Singapore is known to be tiny, modern, and insanely expensive—especially next to her Southeast Asian counterparts. While $50 USD is more than enough for travellers to live like a prince in nearby countries such as Thailand and Indonesia, the same amount is barely enough for a hotel room in Singapore.

 

Still, with street food even Gordon Ramsay raved about, impeccably safe streets, and a location that makes it ideal as a stopover hub, there's no reason to give this city-state a miss. Yes, it is possible for those travelling on a budget to enjoy Singapore, just as the locals do. Here's what you need to know.

 

Get better rates with an ez-link card

 

The ez-link (easy-link) card is a type of stored value card for public transit use, similar to the Oyster card in London. The cards have a first-time cost of $12, of which $7 can be used to pay for public transport, and $5 is non-refundable. Having an ez-link card eliminates the tiresome process of digging for enough change for a bus ticket or trying to calculate how much each train journey costs as you would when buying per-trip tickets. Most importantly, it offers better rates than cash payment, so the non-refundable $5 is easily set off. At the end of the day, you save yourself the hassle of figuring out transport costs, and you get a souvenir card that truly represents life in Singapore!

 

Enjoy hawker food

 

When choosing to dine in a coffee shop or a hawker centre, go where the locals go. There are many open-air establishments that are coffee shop style, but one look at the clientele—chockfull of foreigners with garish decorations—and you know it is a tourist trap. A meal in a hawker centre—inclusive of main, drink, and dessert—should always give you change back from $10. The eateries along the Chinatown shopping alley may seem authentic, but you will be hard pressed to find locals dining there. Makansutra Gluttons Bay offers great views and is near the Esplanade theatres, but the dishes there tend to be pricier as well. Instead, head to places where you see locals congregating. Chinatown Food Centre, Maxwell Food Centre, or any neighbourhood hawker centre will do nicely.

 

Come during a festive public holiday

 

During festivals such as Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Thaipusam, there is so much more to see, hear, and eat. During Chinese New Year, for example, dancers and celebrities put up free performances for the public in areas like Chinatown. Street vendors also offer free samples of their festive goodies in a bid to rev sales up. It is a good chance to see Singapore is a less sterile, worker-bee state, as well as capitalize on all the free food and performances going around.

 

Free museum days    

 

Museums under the National Heritage Board have free admission on public holidays, which makes even more sense to plan visits around festive periods. Alternatively, plan your museum visit around the periods of free or discounted admission to save money. Many museums are located in convenient areas that travellers would be probably passing by when sightseeing, such as the National Museum of Singapore, which is within walking distance from the popular Orchard Road/Dhoby Ghaut shopping stretch. In this case, why not just pop by for a quick and free look?

 

Choose your hotel wisely

 

There is no need to splurge and spend $300 a night on a fancy hotel, even though some offer incredible views and rooms. Room standards in Singapore are decent, so even a budget hotel or hostel is safe and clean. Opt for hotels in Little India, Tanjong Pajar, or Chinatown—the locations are easily accessible, there are a wide range of prices and room types to choose from, and it is fun checking out the nightlife in these areas. If you do not want to miss out on the island fun Sentosa can offer, just make a day trip there after stocking up on food and drink from nearby shopping mall Vivocity. Hotel and food prices on the upscale island can burn a hole in any backpacker's worn pocket.

 

A day in Singapore is not going to come as cheap as a day in a neighbouring country, but it is not going to be exorbitant either. There are bargains and great discounts to be had here and they are not hard to find—simply do as the locals do, and go where the locals go. Those who plan to spend their money wisely will wonder why anyone ever complained that the Lion City is expensive when it has so much to offer on the cheap.

Bacall Associates: Singapore Trip Day 1 - Transportation Guide To Singapore

 

Singapore is my second out of the country trip early last year.  This prosperous city-state is so well known because of many Filipinos working here, mostly in tourism and IT industry.  This became memorable for me because of the misadventures we had during planning and the trip itself.  Nonetheless, Singapore is worth visiting I'd love to come back.

 

What You Need To Know:

 

  • Singapore is one of the 25 countries Filipinos (with Philippine passport) can visit without a visa. The tourist visa is good for 30 days.

 

  • Immigration officers in the Philippines are pretty strict to Filipinos going here. A lot of Filipinos visit Singapore as a tourist but they never came back instead start working there. Most often than not, they process the working permit in Singapore once they got the job.  I hope you already read my Hong Kong series because I already stated the things you need to show to an immigration officer.  But just to refresh, make sure you show you’re:

 

  1. Fully filled and signed departure / embarkation card
  2. Philippine passport
  3. Itinerary Flight Details - make sure that you have a flight going back to the Philippines
  4. Hotel/Hostel booking
  5. Company ID - if you are employed it is best to show your company i.d. to ensure the officer you will come back again. Be confident. Officers might ask a lot.
  6. Government ID and/or other supporting documents for self-employed and students.

 

  • Singapore is a multicultural country comprises of Singaporeans, Indians, Malays, and a home to blue collar workers coming from Philippines, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil are four official language in Singapore. The influence of Chinese and Malay language is apparent in their informal English they called Singlish.

 

  • Money in Singapore is in Singapore Dollars (SGD). 1 SGD = 34-35PHP as of writing.

Bacall Associates Travel Singapore :The True Flavour of Thailand For Families At the Dhara Dhevi

The iconic The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai, situated on a peaceful 60-acre estate in Northern Thailand, offers a magical backdrop in which children and adults alike can absorb Thai culture with a fantastic range of experiences, guaranteeing lasting memories for the whole family.

 

This fantastical resort, conceived as an ancient walled city, offers a sense of place like few others and this is reflected in its carefully curated activities, designed to immerse guests of all ages into local culture.   Perfect for all the family, from little ones to adults, the resort’s Art and Craft Village offers an array of creative craft activities, from umbrella painting and paper making to bamboo weaving, which is led by a group of local village women who will help guests create beautiful artefacts and traditional toys from the plant’s leaves.

 

The building’s tiny resident petting ponies and llamas are sure to make a great ice breaker for children who can then choose from a varied range of activities to stretch and stimulate them mentally and physically, whilst offering an insight into traditional Lanna (the ancient kingdom of northern Thailand) and Thai culture.  Classes include Thai dancing and music and traditional Thai games and toys – children can also benefit for Thailand’s rich culture of wellness with mini Thai kick boxing classes and yoga for kids.

A must-try for visitors of all ages is the rice planting: donning a traditional protective tunic, the instantly recognisable Non La hat and waterproof socks, the session will teach budding rice farmers how the grain is grown from seed to harvest and includes the opportunity for all to wade into the squidgy warm mud and plant a few rows for themselves. Children will adore riding the water buffalo, which will obligingly walk little ones through the plantation.

 

Meanwhile adults can enjoy the Dhara Dhevi Cooking Academy, which stages daily Thai cooking classes, relax in the Jum Sri Hall Library, with one of its 5,000+ books, browse the 20 boutiques in Kad Dhara Shopping Village, or unwind and reboot at the Health and Fitness Centre and legendary Dheva Spa where in depth Ayurveda-based programmes are carried out in 11 spacious treatments suites.

 

Parents keen to make the most of the wide array of gourmet eating and drinking options at the resort can book the baby-sitting service, which is available on request.  All tastes and nationalities are catered for with international cuisines of the highest calibre, from Japanese dishes at the light and airy Ren; Chinese at Fujian, formal French at Farang Ses and contemporary international cuisine at the Akaligo, which offers views through wall to ceiling windows. There is even a Victorian Style tea salon, the Dhara Dhevi Cake Shop which caters to the sweet toothed serving decadent treats. Fabulously chic watering holes include the louche Horn Bar, an after dark cocktail bar, the al fresco Loy Kham Bar which overlooks the serene infinity pool and the Colonial Pool Bar, which centers around the heart of the resort, the spectacular and imposing blue and white tiled swimming pool.

 

Easily accessible via a 15-minute car transfer from Chiang Mai International Airport, the Dhara Dhevi makes for an immersive cultural experience perfect for crafting lasting family memories.

 

ABOUT THE DHARA DHEVI:

 

The Dhara Dhevi is one of Asia’s foremost luxury hotels.  More an experience than simply a hotel, this iconic property represents extravagant Thai luxury at its finest.  Nestling in 60 acres of beautifully landscaped tropical grounds, enjoying a picturesque and secluded setting in the countryside in the North, the resort has established itself as a classic ‘must visit’ for high end travellers to Thailand.  Its location on the outskirts of historic Chiang Mai, a walled ancient city known for its rich history of art and culture, is reflected throughout the resort.  The spectacular accommodation was built in keeping with traditional Lanna and colonial style architecture, set among lush paddy fields.  69 traditional Thai villas each boast a private swimming, or plunge pools, Jacuzzi tubs and separate showers.  54 Colonial Suites featuring separate living and bedroom areas with private terraces overlook the pool, lake or stunning verdant gardens.