I’m ashamed.

As a Singaporean, I’ve never been interested in guide books about our own country (Who reads guidebooks of their own country anyway? I bet most of you don’t!). Jody, one of our friendly staff has donated a series of Citiescape of Asian countries from Lonely Planet, 2006 Edition.

Singapore Citiescape - Lonely Planet

Not exactly a very comprehensive guide, but it covers and has vivid photos of Singapore, and the rest of the asian countries like Beijing, Delhi, Ho Chi Minh, Sydney (huh?) and more.

Supreme Court - Colonial District (Lonely Planet), lovely photo isn't it?

What particularly caught me was the itinerary that was listed behind by Mat Oakley, an expat that stayed in Singapore for almost two years,

Start early, amid the chatter of an old kopitiam (breakfast and coffeeshop), for hot sweet kopi, runny eggs and kaya toast, slapped onto your table without ceremony. Once you’re loaded with cholesterol, take a stroll in the magnificent Botanic Gardens, then along Orchard Road before the crowds hit.

Head down into the MRT, up one stop to Little India and out into another world of grubby streets and food markets, and dip your hands into a curry lunch – fiery fuel for a walk to the mosques, carpet sellers and coffee houses of Kampong Glam, the Muslim Quarter.

After a cardamom coffee or hot mint tea, take a bus to Chinatown and browse through the antique shops, street markets and teashops. A few steamed dumpling and tea from a Chinatown cafe, then leave the city for the green centre, and Singapore’s zoo and peerless Night Safari.

After seeing the sunset with the leopards, do a taxi race down the flawless, tree-lined expressway to Newton Circus, the city’s most famous hawker centre. Bursting with seafood and beer, take another taxi to Raffles Hotel for a cocktail.

Energy permitting, dance your way into the early hours with the beautiful people at Zouk, Singapore’s thumping megaclub.

Matt Oakley

Well I couldn’t put it better in words than Matt. And take note all these locations that are mentioned apart from the Zoo are very, very, very close to G4 Station. So if you’re coming and need help in directions, feel free to ask our frontdesk staff for help.

They’ll probably point a direction and tell you you can even walk there for some of the destination mentioned above, seeya soon!

Hi there, if you’re heading towards Singapore during this period, don’t miss the Festival of Lights, a Hindu celebration event in Singapore (and all parts of the world I suppose).

Quoted from Singapore Tourism Board’s Uniquely Singapore site,

Deepavali, the most important date of the Hindu calendar, occurs on one day during October, and in the ethnic quarter of Little India, the festivities last practically for the whole month of October.

Deepavali is the Festival of Lights, and marks the defeat of the evil  King Narakasura by the Lord Krishna.  All round the world, Hindus celebrate this day as the triumph of light over darkness, and of good over evil. It marks the new beginning for Hindu devotees, and is a great time of rejoicing and renewal. During this time, Little India throbs with evening roadside stalls, booming music and strings of colourful lights.  Shoppers throng the streets in search of the perfect sari to wear, or to fill their baskets with Indian foods and spices. Hindu homes are lighted with oil lamps , and offerings of sweetmeats and garlands of jasmine are placed at the family altar.

Here are some of the photos taken by our staff Lixing when he went poking around in Little India after working hours. You’ll have to excuse his photography skill, he isn’t Jody Oh, Little India is just minutes walking distance away from us too!

A Normal Packed Bus with a Glimpse of Little India

Lights around Little India

A Lane with Night Market

Inside the Night Market Lane

A Dry Market Stall along Little India

Henna Hand Tattoos

You Like Lanterns?

Sri Veeramakalimman Temple in Little India

Remember you can book with us if you’re gonna be here for the festive season! Our rates are already slashed, so you wouldn’t need to look elsewhere for a good stay.

To all Hindus in the world, Happy Deepavali!