Singapore Flyer is one the attraction in the heart of Singapore situated close to the Gardens by the Bay and Chinese Garden. It is a giant wheel kind of which moves very slowly unlike the other giant wheels which speed up fast in the air. One could get the best view of the entire city from the Flyer. I was on the Flyer at 9:30 PM, the last schedule, along with few Japanese girls. Here are few pictures taken on my iPhone and DSLR camera. The entire ride lasts for 30 minutes.

More details can be found here: http://www.singaporeflyer.com/

Marina Bay Sands Tower

Gardens by the Bay

View of the City

Another tall building and the calm roads

How the Singapore Flyer cabin looks

View from the top: Parking lot

Marina Bay Sands Tower, Museum and the buildings

Gardens by the Bay

Shops at the entrance of the Singapore Flyer building

Singapore Flyer View at night

 

Singapore is good place to lurk around alone, the amicable people who are ready to help when you request them to provide the directions on reaching a place or which train you have to board. But some unlikely questions do pop up!

"Are you traveling alone?"

"Hmm, yeah."

"Which place are you from, in India?"

"I am from Bangalore. Thanks"

"How old are you?"

"I am as young as I am. You take a guess li."

***wry smile and scoot the place*** 

I have encountered this question from many Singaporeans during my stay in SGP. Next time I visit, I have an answer, ready la.

Last October, in 2012, I was on a vacation on my way back from Melbourne to Bangalore at Singapore for 3 days. I must say, Singapore is the safest city I have even been. Being a woman, I was able to cover most places in a short span. I commuted in the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit , commonly called MRT, during my stay and the city is well connected. I admit that it was Excellent!

On Day 1, I was returning from the Universal Studios, Sentosa at around 10 PM and decided to see Jurong Bird Park on Day 2. Singapore is small city that you don't GPRS connection on your phone to reach places. Ask anyone next to you and they guide you on how to reach your destination. At SMRT, sat a lady, with whom I inquired, how I can reach Jurong Bird Park. She instantly, gave me a map and marked down where I need to change the trains and take the bus.

"Are you travelling alone in Singapore?"

"Yes, I am. I am here for 3 days on transit from Australia to India.Have never been to Singapore before and it is a safe place to travel alone."

"I lived in Sydney and my daughter was born there."

She scribbled a few lines on a piece of paper and handed over to me.

"Its my address. You're welcome anytime."

Shy, that I was. I placed the paper in my purse and bid her a good-bye.

******

Last month, I wrote a postcard thanking her for the guidance she provided at SMRT. She was so touched that she sent the shopping bags I received today.

Shopping bags from Singapore

I am moved by the gesture. How small things in life mean a lot!

I had applied for Singapore Visitor visa from Australia while I planned to take a transit for 3 days and see the city. I was skeptical I would get an on arrival visa for Indian passport holders and sent an email to the Singapore High Commission and they replied with detailed email, with the documents and fee required to process my visa.

Please note, the below procedure applies ONLY if you're holding an Indian passport with a valid Australia Work Permit

Kindly follow the guidelines below to apply for an Entry Visa for Singapore:- -

Step 1:
Fill out form 14A (can be downloaded from here from Indian passport holders) and paste one passport size photo onto form 14A. Read the details here: http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/overseasmission/canberra/visa_information/visa_application_for_national_level1.html
Step 2:
Provide us the original of your passport (must be valid for at least 6 months at the point of arrival in Singapore) including the details of your current Australian visa.

Step 3:
Travel itinerary (Onward/return ticket details)

Step 4:
Self addressed envelope (Please speak to Australia Post or a courier company to arrange safe transport)

Step 5:
A fee of A$25 per person by Money Order or Bank Cheque, please make it payable to "Singapore High Commission, Canberra". (If applying for more than 1 person, one - Money Order/Bank Cheque of #of persons x $25 is fine)

Step 6:
Contact details (mobile number / email address)

You will need to post, courier or hand deliver this to the

Singapore High Commission
17 Forster Cres
Yarralumla
ACT 2600.

Normal processing time is a minimum of 4 working days (excluding delivery time). Please note that the Singapore High Commission in Canberra does not have online application facilities. We need to receive the application by post, courier or in person.

My personal experience
It took just 2 days for the Singapore High Commission to process my visa application and happy to see such a quick service. I had sent all the required documents as they had mentioned above.

First and foremost, book your flight tickets at least a month before your travel and have the confirmed itinerary handy.
Book the hotel online. You can check out for the hotels suiting your budget on Agoda.com . I would not advise booking a hotel in Little India, Singapore.
Fill the form and pasted a passport size photograph NOT more than 6 months old.
Money order for the visa costs 25 AUD and can be purchased at any Bank or Post Office.
Two Platinum envelopes - one addressed to Singapore High Commission and other is self-addressed. Double check your address before sending.
Don't forget to send your passport.

Visa is provided in an A4 sheet.

Total cost involved in AUD:

1. SGP Visa                  = 25 $ (equivalent to 30 SGD)
2. Money order             = 7.95 $
3. 2 Platinum envelopes = 27.80 $ (13.90 $ each) 

          Total cost                  = 60.75 AUD

Applying from India
Please go through this website and follow the simple procedure. 

The year 2012 was a very memorable one with lot of learning, happiness, sadness, going places on my own and last but not the least, coming back to hometown and meet my family and friends after an year and five months. I was sad to leave Melbourne, Australia and at the same time happy to meet my parents after a long time. As I have mentioned in my earlier posts from Melbourne, it was my first time, away from home, living in  another country which was 5585 miles from Bangalore. Melbourne has its own charm which cannot be expressed in words. No wonder it has been ranked the most livable city in the world and any one would fall in love for first time and so did I. :D

When I would ask someone who was in the US, "Don't you miss anything here?" and they would reply,"What do you expect to miss?". The same happened to me. Melbournians were always kind enough and always amicable to anyone who come there. I would like to narrate an incident where I fell on the footpath. People walking around came to help me get up and left until they were assured I was all fine and no injury. I felt this gentleness was missing in my home country itself where you are injured on road side and none comes for your help which is sad!

I had a chance to watch IPL, ODI (India Vs Australia) and Footy matches at MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) and also witness huge Indian crowd singing "why this kolaveri di".. Opera House, monorail, the world famous Bondi beach, jet boating, cemetery at Brunti, John Carter at IMAX, climbing the Harbour Bridge, meeting an friend after a decade at Sydney! Kangaroo Island at Adelaide, Tesselar Tulip Festival, Cooks Cottage, Great Ocean Drive, meeting backpackers at Tasmania, Steam engine train at Puffing Billy, Grampians, Melbourne Aquarium, Werribee zoo. Long working hours at office made a way to new hobby: Swimming and work outs at Fitness First. ;)

A three day holiday, exploring Singapore all alone where I reach Merlion at 1 AM and folks who see me would question-"Are you all by yourself?" I would smile,"yeah, Singapore is safe place where you can roam around alone even during midnight."

Back home, it was time to spend time with family and friends. Gokarna beaches with Sneha, Kannada play "Uttara Bhupa", same old day to day not interesting routines which anyone would crib about.

I realized huge difference what we gather about the West from media or word of the mouth and you, having lived abroad which I would explain in upcoming posts.


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