Singapore and NYE

[GladstoneTim]

Just checking....Am I right in expecting anywhere decent in Singapore will be really crowded, as with any Australian capital, on New Year's Eve? And the usual post-midnight public transport crush?

We (family of five including teenagers) are staying in Siglap/Bedok. Any suggestions for NYE?

Thanks in advance if you have any ideas.

 

[aaronjames000]

Whatever you do don't go to the marina to watch the fireworks unless you want to be in a crowd sandwich for a couple of hours afterwards. Worst experience of our lives a couple of years ago doing SIN NYE. Fireworks spectacular....crowd squish and lack of taxis afterwards fully sucked!

 

[kermatu]

Taxis of an evening are tough to find any night out (especially around Christmas - as I have experienced in previous years). Can only imagine it's impossible NYE.

Hope you have something sorted!

 

[GladstoneTim]

Thanks, Kermatu. Think we might just see what is happening in East Coast park which is within walking distance. Excitement building....we fly tomorrow.

 

[kermatu]

Hope you enjoy!

 

[LordGarlic]

there probably isnt much happening at east coast park on nye other than the ships sounding their horns at 12am

 

[GladstoneTim]

Yeah, thanks LordGarlic. Maybe when we actually arrive we will have a better chance of knowing what our options are.

 

[kermatu]

Happy New Year, and how did it go in the end?

 

[Ausbt]

I can answer this one as I've just got back. The difference between SYD and SIN NYE:

* SYD's fireworks are 7 minutes longer and 7 times better (although the Marina Bay Hotel is a spectacular backdrop). Winner: SYD
* SIN's hotels are 7 times cheaper (yes, I stayed at the Ascott Raffles, a 5 minute walk from the grassy area by the bay). Rate was AUD$250. Winner: SIN
* That grassy viewpoint? Personal space was huge - no seriously people 3 feet behind and 3 feet ahead, not crowded at all. Winner: SIN
* Booze: My wife had an afternoon glass of Sav Blanc at The Pelican. It cost $21 inc GST. Ouch. Winner: SYD
* HOWEVER: wine is so expensive in SIN you may as well drink French bubbles, which we did! Bottle of Oz Sav Blanc from the bottleshop? $33 (would be $16 in AU). Bottle of MOET? $60 (same price as AU). Winner: ahhh, call it a draw
* Hassle of getting to/from: in SYD, you want a good view, you queue from minimum 3 pm. In SIN? Hah! We left our hotel at 11:40 pm to wander over!!! In bed at 12:40. Winner: SIN
* On New Years Day most shops were open. The Lau Pa Sat hawkers market do some lovely cheap easts, Maxwell Centre had the best BBQ chicken I've ever tasted. Also, where was the street rubbish lying around the place? Oh, in the bins maybe? Winner: SIN.
* Finally: Changi. Full-size X-Wing replica. SilverKris Lounge (Taitinger with your goat's cheese pie sir? Yes please). And climbing onboard a factory-fresh 777-300ER new J fitout (the pilot advised delivered 5 days ago). Lobby Thermidor ok a touch overcooked but damn nice anyway. Winner: ...do I even need to say?

 

[GladstoneTim]

Hi Kermatu,
We actually had such a busy time in SIN we were exhausted on NYE. Had a late swim in a magnificent pool in our apartment complex and the whole family were in bed well before midnight.

 

[love_the_life]

Think I may need to consider SIN for NYE in future, though we did fly back to SYD on 30 Dec a couple of years ago - probably should have stayed on. IIRC the hotel room rate shot up dramatically for NYE. Maybe that's why we didn't stay????