The Travel Thread

[Bird Bird Bird]

3 hours ago, dante77 said:

I don't think 5 days are overkill. Zoo, Gardens by the bay, Santosa, Disney, city sight seeing, Marina Bay, ferry ride, airport itself. Lot of things to cover. 

 

On my 7 days tour, I stayed in Singapore for 4 days and 3 days in Malaysia. I couldn't cover Gardens by the bay and that Disney island and did not know about airport. 

Changi airport is so good, man. 

[Sach4life]

5 hours ago, godspeed4476 said:

5 Days for Singapore is an Overkill IMO. But yep its more catered towards kids and families as compared to any other destinations. Thailand is a good family friendly destination too, particulary north and it tends to be less rainy too. I was there in last september and had a great time

 

Yeah, 4 days for Singapore is more than enough.

[nitinveer]

Thank you everyone for the response. Since it is the leisure trip and we have enough days, I will be going for 7 days at least. Is Singapore visa easy to get? Can I do it on my own or is it better to go through an agent/service? 

[Bird Bird Bird]

2 minutes ago, nitinveer said:

Thank you everyone for the response. Since it is the leisure trip and we have enough days, I will be going for 7 days at least. Is Singapore visa easy to get? Can I do it on my own or is it better to go through an agent/service? 

7 days is good. Easy to apply for self but an agency can help navigate the complexity. 

[North]

My Singapore recommendations. I spent 10 whole days and it still felt short lmao. 
I took at least 10 MRT+bus rides everyday, and walked 25,000 steps daily.

My style of travel is to do absolutely everything, in the most local authentic manner possible. I'd need like 3 weeks to be fully satisfied tbh. 

 

Mentioning some popular, but also some unique things to do in Singapore below. 

 

List of things to do -

1. Sentosa Island (the beach, skywalk, the show)

2. Universal Studios 

3. Night safari (my least favourite - but kids will enjoy)

4. Jurong Bird park

5. City tour, and of course Marina Bay Sands rooftop experience

6. Gardens by the Bay

7. Changi Airport

 

 

Extra stuff which isn't common but I like -

1. Henderson Waves - its just a wavy bridge in Singapore. Nothing else, beautiful views and there's lovely walking tracks in the area through greenery. Worth going all the way out there. 

2. River Cruise - Can take this for 25 SGD from Clarke Quay. You can take the MRT here, also walkable from Chinatown. Recommend doing at 6:30 PM, to catch sunrise while out on the boat. 

3. Dinner at Clarke Quay - Extra magical to have dinner along the river, AND there are indian restaurants here. Better than the usual Little India recommendation imo. 

4. Fort Canning - Lovely park, and there is a specific tunnel here to get a very special shot. There is a line for the photo though. 

5. Mount Faber - Lovely park overlooking the city. Make sure to do the cable car experience from here, its absolutely smashing. 

6. Helix Bridge - Another spectacular piece of architecture, close to MBS only. Visit at night for the lights. 

7. Marina Barrage - Close to Gardens by the Bay, walkable from there. Recommend picnicking here with convenience store sandwiches, sodas and beers after sundown. Absolutely top notch. 

8. Singapore Sling - Singapore's iconic cocktail, a must try at the nicest cocktail bar/restaurant you visit if you indulge in alcohol. 

 

 

YOU DON'T NEED TO DO EVERYTHING. The popular stuff is popular for good reason, its all super kid friendly. Just make sure you do the River Cruise at Clarke Quay. Magical. 

 

Edited August 23 by North

[Bird Bird Bird]

11 minutes ago, North said:

My Singapore recommendations. I spent 10 whole days and it still felt short lmao. 
I took at least 10 MRT+bus rides everyday, and walked 25,000 steps daily.

My style of travel is to do absolutely everything, in the most local authentic manner possible. I'd need like 3 weeks to be fully satisfied tbh. 

 

Mentioning some popular, but also some unique things to do in Singapore below. 

 

List of things to do -

1. Sentosa Island (the beach, skywalk, the show)

2. Universal Studios 

3. Night safari (my least favourite - but kids will enjoy)

4. Jurong Bird park

5. City tour, and of course Marina Bay Sands rooftop experience

6. Gardens by the Bay

7. Changi Airport

 

 

Extra stuff which isn't common but I like -

1. Henderson Waves - its just a wavy bridge in Singapore. Nothing else, beautiful views and there's lovely walking tracks in the area through greenery. Worth going all the way out there. 

2. River Cruise - Can take this for 25 SGD from Clarke Quay. You can take the MRT here, also walkable from Chinatown. Recommend doing at 6:30 PM, to catch sunrise while out on the boat. 

3. Dinner at Clarke Quay - Extra magical to have dinner along the river, AND there are indian restaurants here. Better than the usual Little India recommendation imo. 

4. Fort Canning - Lovely park, and there is a specific tunnel here to get a very special shot. There is a line for the photo though. 

5. Mount Faber - Lovely park overlooking the city. Make sure to do the cable car experience from here, its absolutely smashing. 

6. Helix Bridge - Another spectacular piece of architecture, close to MBS only. Visit at night for the lights. 

7. Marina Barrage - Close to Gardens by the Bay, walkable from there. Recommend picnicking here with convenience store sandwiches, sodas and beers after sundown. Absolutely top notch. 

8. Singapore Sling - Singapore's iconic cocktail, a must try at the nicest cocktail bar/restaurant you visit if you indulge in alcohol. 

 

 

YOU DON'T NEED TO DO EVERYTHING. The popular stuff is popular for good reason, its all super kid friendly. Just make sure you do the River Cruise at Clarke Quay. Magical. 

 

You can’t say sentosa and leave SEA Aquarium. That’s my number one reason for sentosa tbh. 
The show of course of pretty magical. The cable cars etc. 

Among the zoos, personally, River safari/zoo  > night safari > day zoo. But all are so unique. 
Also getting up to the top of Gardens by the Bay during light and sound show is pretty good too. 
Plus the country does some new shows/museum/tech show almost every month. There’s a Stranger things event running right now at Bugis. 
Also Jewel Changi is fab. 

[North]

18 minutes ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

You can’t say sentosa and leave SEA Aquarium. That’s my number one reason for sentosa tbh. 
The show of course of pretty magical. The cable cars etc. 

Among the zoos, personally, River safari/zoo  > night safari > day zoo. But all are so unique. 
Also getting up to the top of Gardens by the Bay during light and sound show is pretty good too. 
Plus the country does some new shows/museum/tech show almost every month. There’s a Stranger things event running right now at Bugis. 
Also Jewel Changi is fab. 

 

 

Yes I meant all of those things. However, I'm not a huge Sentosa person. I think its a lot more appealing if you are a kid/parent. 

As a 21 year old, it was out of place. The cable car from Mount Faber to Sentosa is phenomenal and my favourite part. 

 

 

And yes - they had an Attack on Titan (my favourite anime) themed event running - but it wasn't at the time I visited the place.

I just included some extra things which aren't on tour packages normally for the next Singapore trip for anyone visiting. 

 

Might be going to Bangkok and Chiang Mai here pretty soon myself. 

[Bird Bird Bird]

Agreed. Have faced this with Lufthansa too. 

[SuperT]

13 hours ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

Agreed. Have faced this with Lufthansa too. 

A cousin worked as an air hostess for a while and according to her unfortunately India/Pakistan/Bangladesh/Sri Lanka passengers lack basic civic sense and  are a nightmare to deal with, of course no reason for them to treat anyone badly or discriminate but I guess when they see brown skin they automatically associate it with their past experience of such passengers. It is obviously blatant racism and very wrong. 

[Sach4life]

3 hours ago, SuperT said:

A cousin worked as an air hostess for a while and according to her unfortunately India/Pakistan/Bangladesh/Sri Lanka passengers lack basic civic sense and  are a nightmare to deal with, of course no reason for them to treat anyone badly or discriminate but I guess when they see brown skin they automatically associate it with their past experience of such passengers. It is obviously blatant racism and very wrong. 

 

I am pretty sure (experience it myself as well) many western folks are racist anyway regardless of what they have experienced in the flight as an air hostess/steward.

[SuperT]

29 minutes ago, Sach4life said:

 

I am pretty sure (experience it myself as well) many western folks are racist anyway regardless of what they have experienced in the flight as an air hostess/steward.

Racists will be racist no matter what, there is no denying that, but Indian passengers are a nightmare for air hostesses. My cousin (Indian) would not sweet talk or make casual talk with Indian passengers which they are supposed to specially with Business Class/ First Class passengers compared to western folks because of bad experiences. Indian men think an air hostess talking nicely with them and making casual talk is them trying to make an advance and she has had multiple Indian men trying to get her number or her Instagram or pass unwelcome comments and remarks. Unfortunately she has had to put up with them specially the business class passengers. They are also often drunk and loud if with family disturbing other passengers.

 

Unfortunately, civil and decent people are also judged because of past experiences.

Edited August 30 by SuperT

[Sach4life]

28 minutes ago, SuperT said:

Racists will be racist no matter what, there is no denying that, but Indian passengers are a nightmare for air hostesses. My cousin (Indian) would not sweet talk or make casual talk with Indian passengers which they are supposed to specially with Business Class/ First Class passengers compared to western folks because of bad experiences. Indian men think an air hostess talking nicely with them and making casual talk is them trying to make an advance and she has had multiple Indian men trying to get her number or her Instagram or pass unwelcome comments and remarks. Unfortunately she has had to put up with them specially the business class passengers. They are also often drunk and loud if with family disturbing other passengers.

 

Unfortunately, civil and decent people are also judged because of past experiences.

 

I am not denying that the past experiences have a role to play for someone like an Air hostess but what I was saying is that don't discount western people to be racist towards brown/black people regardless of whether they experienced anything at a personal level or not. There is an air of superiority which I see many of them having based on my day-to-day experience.

[SuperT]

13 minutes ago, Sach4life said:

 

I am not denying that the past experiences have a role to play for someone like an Air hostess but what I was saying is that don't discount western people to be racist towards brown/black people regardless of whether they experienced anything at a personal level or not. There is an air of superiority which I see many of them having based on my day-to-day experience.

I never did ? I mentioned multiple times that it is wrong and that there are many people who are just down right racist and horrible. But since this is a travel thread and we were discussing airlines in particular that is why I brought that example up. 

[dylanjosh]

I don't have personal experience, but I've seen many people complaining about having bad experience with Indians. Not even taking about airline's specifically. Just hospitality people in general. 

[KnackChap]

Not to typecast anyone but go to any tourist hotspot abroad and watch the behaviour of gujju tourists who travel in big groups. Will shame anyone. 

 

Was at IMG world dubai recently and one indian group bought atleast 1-1.5 kg of snaks with them like banana chips, khakra, bhujia etc and were stopped at the check in gate itself. They told it is for kids😂. Another group of 10-15 guys skipped the queue and went ahead cause a couple of their relatives were standing at the front. A British couple behind me was furious, tried to calm them down but felt embarrassed myself. A couple more incidents from the same day. Indian tourists lack basic etiquettes and even common sense. 

[Bird Bird Bird]

2 hours ago, dylanjosh said:

I don't have personal experience, but I've seen many people complaining about having bad experience with Indians. Not even taking about airline's specifically. Just hospitality people in general. 

 

1 hour ago, KnackChap said:

Not to typecast anyone but go to any tourist hotspot abroad and watch the behaviour of gujju tourists who travel in big groups. Will shame anyone. 

 

Was at IMG world dubai recently and one indian group bought atleast 1-1.5 kg of snaks with them like banana chips, khakra, bhujia etc and were stopped at the check in gate itself. They told it is for kids😂. Another group of 10-15 guys skipped the queue and went ahead cause a couple of their relatives were standing at the front. A British couple behind me was furious, tried to calm them down but felt embarrassed myself. A couple more incidents from the same day. Indian tourists lack basic etiquettes and even common sense. 

Clearly you guys haven’t seen Chinese tourists then. Indians will look like a saint in front of them. 
But yeah, being the 2 most populous countries on earth has its downsides- lack of civility bring one of them. 
Saw something similar last year at Singapore when masks were still mandatory. An Indian couple was roaming in Cloud Forest without a mask, when clearly there were multiple signs to wear it. Few localities started shouting at them and got them thrown away. The couple kept resisting wearing a mask and kept on shouting back. 
SMH. 

[Bird Bird Bird]

Meanwhile..

 

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/thailand-mulls-easing-visa-rules-to-lure-chinese-indian-tourists-11280181.html

[Walker]

Why is anyone surprised? Don't need to leave the country to experience it.

 

4 hours ago, dylanjosh said:

I don't have personal experience, but I've seen many people complaining about having bad experience with Indians. Not even taking about airline's specifically. Just hospitality people in general. 

 

3 hours ago, KnackChap said:

Not to typecast anyone but go to any tourist hotspot abroad and watch the behaviour of gujju tourists who travel in big groups. Will shame anyone. 

 

Was at IMG world dubai recently and one indian group bought atleast 1-1.5 kg of snaks with them like banana chips, khakra, bhujia etc and were stopped at the check in gate itself. They told it is for kids😂. Another group of 10-15 guys skipped the queue and went ahead cause a couple of their relatives were standing at the front. A British couple behind me was furious, tried to calm them down but felt embarrassed myself. A couple more incidents from the same day. Indian tourists lack basic etiquettes and even common sense. 

 

2 hours ago, Bird Bird Bird said:

 

Clearly you guys haven’t seen Chinese tourists then. Indians will look like a saint in front of them. 
But yeah, being the 2 most populous countries on earth has its downsides- lack of civility bring one of them. 
Saw something similar last year at Singapore when masks were still mandatory. An Indian couple was roaming in Cloud Forest without a mask, when clearly there were multiple signs to wear it. Few localities started shouting at them and got them thrown away. The couple kept resisting wearing a mask and kept on shouting back. 
SMH. 

 

[achilles]

12 hours ago, Walker said:

Why is anyone surprised? Don't need to leave the country to experience it.

 

Or the forum  

 

 

 

 

[Snake]

So I’m looking for a front sling back to EDC items as I’ll be travelling shortly and don’t want to carry a backpack all the time.

 

 Anyone’s have any reccos?