btarrow

Hello all.

Is it too much to do both countries from Dec. 21 or so to Jan 2nd (inclusive of travel time from Newark, NJ) Travelling with our teenagers (17 and 15).

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks

BT

jenskar2

Singapore is easy enough to get a flavor of via a stopover of a night or two if your flight goes through there -- I would spend the bulk of time in Thailand. Was there something specific in Singapore you wanted to see/do? When you say Thailand -- where are you considering? Bangkok and beach, just beach, just Bangkok? You lose significant time in the air so it's something to think about.

Guenmai

You can do both in that amount of time. I do it usually once a year, from L.A. and have a total of 8 nights for vacation in the summer. I do 1 or 2 nights in Singapore and then the rest in Bangkok during that vacation schedule. I, however, usually have three weeks in winter to spend in Bangkok, which is why on the summer vacation trip I can take a couple nights off of the BK schedule. But, you can still easily do it. Singapore is very easy to get around in. There are from 10,000 to 15,000 taxis roaming around and they are inexpensive. Plus the MRT(subway) is THE best and VERY easy to use.They also have one of those Explorer buses where you can jump on and off at the different tourist stops. Happy Travels!

btarrow

Thanks Jenskar2

Have always been curious about Singapore's squeaky clean image; would probably see Bird park and Sentosa island, Orchid garden (don't know if the kids would enjoy any of these or the night zoo....)

In Thailand, it would be both - some of the temples, shrines, palaces and hopefully Phuket. Am a little concerned about the reports of violence; any comments on it???

btarrow

Thanks Guenmai.
Yes, it does seem like we could do both - didn't know Singapore was 42 miles wide!!!?????

Guenmai

Singapore is VERY small. The whole country is about 254 square miles big. Los Angeles County is 500 square miles big. Plus, the city of Singapore is really small and can easily be done on the MRT. I love spending time in Singapore. I've spent as long as a week and a half there and have been going there for a decade now. If you do a search, we've put together a restaurant list. Happy Travels!

Guenmai

I've topped a few restaurant threads. Singapore is a top eating spot in the world. Eat until you drop kind of place. Happy Travels!

btarrow

Thanks for topping the restaurant threads!

RonJon2U

As a former Singapore resident I would suggest skipping Sentosa and spend some time in Little India and China town, have dinner across from the central business district, catch a river tour (45 min) and the Night Safari (zoo) is a good experience. All can be done in 2 days. Hopefully you are taking the SQ direct flight from EWK - 19 hours in the air though recovery time is much faster than a flight with a layover. This would also allow you time to hit part of Singapore on you way back. From Singapore look into using a discount carrier to get to Thailand and then once in the country you can get most anywhere for 500 baht on AirAsia. Given your timeframe you may want to explore taking the Thai Airways flight from JFK - BKK and skip Singers though I am somewhat jaded after living on the "red dot" for several years

gard

Hi

Well, you can at least get a flavor of both places in that time. I have been to both places a few times and I prefer Bangkok. Here is a trip report with pictures from last year http://gardkarlsen.com/Bangkok_trip_report_2007.htm . I'm stopping by Bangkok in a couple of weeks time on the way home from a business trip to Kuala Lumpur and I'm looking forward to that. Have you thought about combining Malaysia with Singapore?

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

jenskar2

Singapore definitely is squeaky clean -- do check out Little India and Chinatown -- again, a sterilized version however the sites/smells of Little India (great food court) and Chinatown are pretty stunning -- the Chinese NY decorations may already be going up by early January - more red than you've ever seen in your life. Are your teens boys or girls? If they're girls -- there is a whole new level of teen "mascot" "bag charm" available in Singapore and Thailand -- they will be in heaven. Very kitschy and fun.