As Singapore celebrates its 50th anniversary, Gillian Vine suggests some things to do in the city that is a popular stopover for those travelling to Europe.
Several years ago, a poll showed Singapore was the top choice as a stopover destination on the way to Europe.
Since then, the competition has increased, with airlines based in Dubai, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan among those offering attractive alternatives.
The main reason for breaking a long journey is to have a bit of relief from long-haul flights and although Singapore and Hong Kong are only three hours behind us (four during daylight saving), a stopover can help get the body clock adjusted.
It is appealing to visit somewhere different, but no matter how many times one stops in Singapore, there is always something fresh to see or a favourite spot to go back to.
If you fly Singapore Airlines, there are stopover packages that include hotel accommodation, airport transfers and free rides on the SIA Hop-on Bus.
Priced from about $60, depending on the grade of hotel, these packages are excellent value for money and are one reason why Singapore remains popular despite the burgeoning competition.
The food is fabulous.
Eating out is fun and a great deal cheaper than in hotel restaurants.
Be a wee bit adventurous and go to a hawker centre.
Singapore has rigid standards for the stalls, which are star-rated, so it's safe to eat their food.
Maxwell Rd in Chinatown is popular, as are the restaurants in nearby Smith St.
In the city centre, Lau Pa Sat is a good spot for lunch but the much-touted Newton Food Centre has become very touristy.
Locals say Geylang District's Old Airport Rd centre is better, but queues can be long.
Ten Singapore activities I recommend are:
SINGAPORE FLYER
A must for everyone and impressive night or day, the world's largest observation wheel gives views across Singapore to Malaysia to the north and Indonesia to the south and east.
A slow-motion whirl costs $S33 ($NZ32.30) for an adult, $S21 ($NZ20.60) for a child.
Singapore Flyer City Passes give discounts of up to 50% on the Flyer and other top tourist attractions.
SIA HOP-ON BUS
You don't have to fly with Singapore Airlines to use its bus, but it will cost you $S25 ($NZ24.50) for an adult, $S15 ($NZ14.70) for a child for a one-day pass.
However, SIA passengers pay only $S8, or it's free if you are on a Singapore Stopover or SIA holiday package.
Tickets are available from the driver and buses run 9am to 9pm daily, taking a roughly circular route, which has 20 stops at attractions like the Singapore Flyer and Chinatown.
To get a general picture of the central part of the island state, it is a relaxed way to get around.
MRT
Clean, cheap, safe and easy to negotiate, it is well worth getting to grips with Singapore's underground/overground train system.
The Singapore Tourist Pass gives unlimited travel on Singapore's basic bus services, MRT and light rail trains (LRT).
This is good value only for those planning to make wide use of the system and the queues at the ticket windows at the handful of stations selling the passes can be daunting.
Machines at all stations make buying a regular ticket quick and easy.
For those using the MRT for the first time, avoid rush-hour travel, when the trains are crowded.
Suss out the system after 10am, when things are quieter.
CHINATOWN
To get a feel for Singapore as it was before high-rise buildings replaced shop houses, Chinatown is the place to go.
Don't miss the Chinatown Heritage Centre in Pagoda St, or Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, the elaborate Sri Mariamman.
There are lots of colourful little shops and stalls, ideal for inexpensive souvenir shopping and umpteen food options.
BOTANIC GARDENS AND GARDENS BY THE BAY
In 1859, Singapore's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, had an area set aside as a botanic garden, largely to determine how well rubber trees would grow in the region.
These days, it's a splendid showcase for tropical plants, with the orchid area a highlight.
Take the MRT to the Botanic Gardens station and stroll downhill to the SIA bus stop or keep walking past Swan Lake - where an escaped pet crocodile made its home in the 1980s - to the Tanglin gates, near which are bus stops and the Napier MRT station.
The Gardens by the Bay, opened in 2012, are free but it costs about $30 in total to see the cooled conservatories and walk the skyway.
JURONG BIRD PARK
With almost 400 species on show, including the brightest tropical birds imaginable, nature lovers love this complex and kids adore the interactive presentations, which have some underlying educational messages.
SINGAPORE ZOO
Like Jurong Bird Park, the zoo has immense appeal for younger visitors.
Skip the much-touted Night Safari, as it is crowded and marred by tourists ignoring the ''no camera flash'' signs.
Daytime is better, especially if you get up in time to be there when the gates open at 8.30am.
From 9.30am to 10am, animals amble around diners at two restaurants.
RAFFLES HOTEL
The most famous hotel in the East, with a Dunedin connection: film-makers Robert and Duncan Sarkies are descendants of the Armenian Sarkies Brothers who founded the hotel in 1887.
Past visitors include movie stars, writers and former US president Bill Clinton.
Those who balk at paying from $1500 a night to stay can get a feel for Raffles by having the famous curry lunch (about $60) or high tea ($60) in the Tiffin Room, or sip a Singapore Sling (about $26) in the Long Bar.
Unshelled peanuts are free with a Singapore Sling and it is de rigueur to toss the shells on the wood floor.
It's the only place in Singapore where you can litter and not get fined, I'm told.
MUSEUMS
There are some superb museums in Singapore.
The best known are probably the National Museum of Singapore and Changi Museum near the airport, but my favourite is the Asian Civilisations Museum.
Its display of 9th-century Tang pottery, recovered in 1998 from the Belitung shipwreck, is fascinating.
From the museum, walk the short distance along the river to Raffles Landing site, where there is a statue of a grumpy-looking Stamford Raffles with his back to the river.
A big tourist attraction is a man with a blonde python; pay $S5 to hold it and have your photo taken.
MALAYSIA
For a taste of another culture, pop over the Causeway to Malaysia. Apart from doing your own thing, there are various packages to Johor Bahru - most of which mainly do the rounds of shops - but the most appealing for children is a visit to Legoland Malaysia Resort.
Coaches leave from the Singapore Flyer and the journey (about $20 return) takes an hour or more, depending on traffic and immigration queues (don't forget your passport).
A one-day adult ticket covering all activities costs MR175 ($NZ68.80) and for children 3-11, MR140 ($NZ53.45).
The appeal is lots of interactive activities and fascinating Lego versions of historic buildings, as well as a very popular water park (bring your togs) and a new attraction, Lego Star Wars Miniland, which opened in September.
The associated Lego-themed hotel is utterly child-friendly.
Note that Malaysia is a Muslim country and conservative dress is expected, especially by women.
