globalti: I would if I could, but currently in Singapore and the quickest they can get me a new passport is 4 weeks and I have to supply my old passport.

I can get an emergency travel document but they’re £100 a pop and I can only have 2 a year. I need to visit 3 countries in the next 3 weeks.

It’s dried out now and not looking too bad. Going to chance my arm for the Thai trip and then probably apply for a new one next week and make use of emergency travel docs for the other trips.

No, it’s one of the older paper only versions.

That’s reassuring, thanks fourbanger!

Hi again. With your budget in mind, here are a couple of suggestions:

Prices are from Asia Rooms but you should be able to get similar rates if you speak to the hotel direct I would have thought (might need to be lucky with the Mandarin!).

Marina Mandarin, SGD 215.80

This would be my first choice at your budget if you can get it at the rate above. It’s one of the better hotels in Singapore and right by the Esplanade & Marina so a good location. Pool looks decent.

Parkroyal, Beach Road, SGD 170.00

This isn’t by the Marina, but still worth a look. The pool is nice and quiet and the hotel’s pleasant. I was here for a month when I first moved here. Location is still pretty central and it’s right by the Arab quarter for some great food in the evening.

Peninsula Excelsior, SGD 217.75

This is in a decent location too, right by City Hall though I don’t know the much about the hotel. The pool looks ok from the photos.

If you want any more info on Singapore feel free to drop me a mail.

Cheers
Ben

I’d say if the man wants a pool (for whatever reason) then one with a view that MBS offers is hard to beat?

It’s hardly a dump?

I’d also consider Fullerton bay, which again has a nice pool with decent views.

Let us know your budget and I’ll suggest more.

Cheers

Top work. 😀

Marina Bay Sands is the obvious choice, depending on what your budget is.

I wouldn’t stay on Sentosa personally as you’re a bit of a way from the city and it’s a bit of a pain getting off and onto it. Depends what you’re planning to do while you’re here really. If you don’t intend to leave the hotel Sentosa would be ok, I’d suggest you see some of the city though.

Thanks trebord.

FWIW, I live in Singapore and will be there for work but hoping to wangle a free weekend. I’d stay longer but holiday days (20 a year) 🙁 are too precious.

You could get this guy in, seems to know a thing or two:

It will work fine, you just need to remove the carbon protector.

Cheers
Ben

I bet that was a wobbly bb at the end.

As others have suggested, it looks like the frame could be fine and I’d wager you could just get the threads chased out.

Ton,

I’d echo what Sancho has said. Whilst some forms of off road motorbiking are indeed very strenous and physically demanding, it doesn’t have to be.

I’d strongly suggest taking Sancho up on his offer to let you have a ride on one of his bikes. Don’t discount it until you’ve at least had a go!

Cheers
Ben

Congratulations!

I barely use my laptop at home anymore. Go for the iPad.

On a more constructive note, I’d suggest making sure you’ve got a view of the Marina Bay Sands hotel (the building that looks like a ship perched on three skyscrapers) wherever you end up. This will give you a decent view of some pretty spectacular fireworks.

Obvious choices for such vantage points are Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay areas where you’ll find plenty of bars, etc. It’s a bit touristy, but then you are a tourist!

If you want to push the boat out you go to one of the rooftop bars (MBS, altitude, etc.) but they will cost.

There will no doubt be fairly big beach parties on Sentosa (I like Tanjong Beach Club) but, again, they’ll be expensive.

New year is not a huge night here (Chinese New Year is a much bigger deal), but the above suggestions will be where the parties are.

If the above doesn’t appeal, you could opt to head out to Pulau Ubin (a small island to the east of the mainland) where you could have a much quieter evening on an island resembling what Singapore used to be like and eat some of the best seafood our little island offers.

Hope you manage to enjoy it more that Waderider did.. 🙂

I’m in Asia Motiv.

I too read the forums at night, as I’m 8 hrs ahead of the UK and notice them too. i reckon it’s just that the moderators aren’t around so don’t pounce on them straight away.

It’s a bonus though, I’ve managed to buy loads of bargain iPhones and some great dresses for my sister. 🙂

Always makes me want to say “Welease Woddwik”.

Likes Chateaubriand & Burt’s bees hand cream. Though not at the same time (I hope!).

Yeti 575

Tidy!

My favourite restaurant is Viva, a brilliant independant Italian on Bridge End.

Little Tokyo, as mentioned above, is great if you fancy Japanese. The sushi, sashimi & bento boxes are top – try the eel!

Slightly out of town (Water Lane) is a pub called The Cross Keys for awesome homecooked traditional British food.

Kendells Bistro near the Playhouse is also very good, if a little on the pricy side.

I’d avoid BiBis personally.

Puts hand up. I was there!

A most enjoyable evening of beer, banter and dim sum it was too. Definitely no dog on the menu.

Until the next time cap’n, do come back soon. 😀

One of these:

No showers at work unfortunately, and you definitely need a shower after cycling in Singapore!

Morning Capn!

Best yet?

Another +1 for It’s a Wonderful Life.

The Killing Fields is one of the most moving films I’ve ever seen though.

just lie. They’ll never know as there’s no way for them to find out. If they asked here, it wouldn’t appear as it classes as spent.

This approach worked for me.

I live in Singapore, so if there’s anything specific you want to know give me a shout (email in profile).

There is some mountaing biking here, Bukit Timah & Pulau Ubin are the two best places, though not really worth bringing your bike if you’re not going to get a chance to ride as you say.

Some good suggestions above. Make sure you get taken for some dim sum. I imagine you’ll probably have colleagues based here? In which case I’m sure they’ll show you the sights. Lots to do and see, just depends what you’re into.

Cheers
Ben

Here’s mine:

Bit of a rubbish pic. I know I need to do something about that steerer.. 🙂

Me, but it’s a reasonable hour in the morning here.

Hijack: couldn’t find your email flashy, but mine’s in my profile.

I should have it somewhere, I’ll have a look.

Sounds like we have a plan. Shall we aim for the 29th if you’re flying out on the 30th? Mmm Xiao Long Bao.

Matt – hope you’re managing to stay dry!

Captain, how the devil are you? Last week of Nov. sounds good to me, I can make 29th or 30th.

I miss family and friends, missing out on my 1 y.o. nephew growing up especially. Skype really helps in that regard.

The only other thing I particularly miss is the UK countryside and riding. Apart from that I can’t say I miss the UK at all.

Hi Matt,

I am indeed based in Asia, I live in Singapore. Where are you based?

Sevva is no shorts and flip flops too if you decide to go.

Cheers mate, love the pic btw. They could have picked a better name though!

I asked the very same question a few months ago.

Lots of great advice offered on that thread. Things we did and enjoyed in no particular order:

Star Ferry from Kowloon to HK island.
Wan Chai & Lan Kwai Fong for crazy nights out.
Luk Yu tea house for awesome dim sum (24 Stanley Street).
Tram up to Victoria Peak.
A wander through Kowloon at night.
Walking around Soho area in the day, visiting a temple or two.
Cable car up to Big Buddha.
I think it was someone on here who recommended Sevva (Prince’s Building, 25th Floor, 10 Chater Road, Central), it’s a v. nice rooftop bar to watch the sun go down and the lights of HK & Kowloon come on.

Enjoy!

Thanks for all the replies.

Lots of options. Wasn’t planning on getting him a pink bike, but that’s clearly the smallest GW so pink it could be! Puky also an option but the Rothan does look very well built.

Will get my sister to measure the lad up at the end of the month and take it from there.

I do like the look of the Rothan. I guess he’ll always grow into it if it’s a touch big at Christmas.

The bike pictured from GW looks perfect but I can’t find any stock anywhere.

Thanks GW