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Showing posts with label singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label singapore. Show all posts

Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year of the Dragon

Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. In China, it is known as "Spring Festival,". It marks the end of the winter season, analogous to the Western carnival. The festival begins on the first day of the first month (Chinese: 正月; pinyin: Zhēngyuè) in the traditional Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day. Chinese New Year's Eve, a day where Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner, is known as Chúxī (除夕) or "Eve of the Passing Year." Because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the "Lunar New Year".

Chinese New Year is not only celebrated in Singapore, but are also in countries with number of Chinese populations, eq: Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines , Taiwan, Thailand, many others

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese calendar. Some countries like China and Taiwan has its holiday for a whole week. Hong Kong has 3 days, Singapore, Malaysia and Korea has 2 days, and Indonesia has 1 day of holiday

The most common greetings and sayings consist of four characters:
    * 金玉滿堂Jīnyùmǎntáng - "May your wealth [gold and jade] come to fill a hall"
    * 大展鴻圖Dàzhǎnhóngtú - "May you realize your ambitions"
    * 迎春接福Yíngchúnjiēfú - "Greet the New Year and encounter happiness"
    * 萬事如意Wànshìrúyì - "May all your wishes be fulfilled"
    * 吉慶有餘Jíqìngyǒuyú - "May your happiness be without limit"
    * 竹報平安Zhúbàopíng'ān - "May you hear [in a letter] that all is well"
    * 一本萬利Yīběnwànlì = "May a small investment bring ten-thousandfold profits"
    * 福壽雙全Fúshòushuāngquán - "May your happiness and longevity be complete"
    * 招財進寶Zhāocáijìnbǎo - "When wealth is acquired, precious objects follow"

GONG XI FA CAI…Wishing all a Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year!

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Free Wifi Singapore (wireless@SG)

Do you know most of public area in Singapore especially in the city area has Wi-Fi hotspot? Yes, this is due to Singapore government project called Wireless@SG programmed which developed by IDA (Infocomm Development Authority). This wireless broadband access service was launched since 2006 by providing speeds of up to 512 kbit/s for free, and then the speed was doubled to 1 Mbps since 1 Sep 2009 and the free service will continue until 31 March 2013.

Wireless@SG operators
There are 3 operators listed from IDA to running this wireless@sg:

1. iCELL Network Pte Ltd (http://www.icellwireless.net/)
2. M1 (http://www.m1net.com.sg)
3. Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (http://home.singtel.com/wirelessSG/)

Coverage Area


West/South Region (by QMax)
Bukit Timah
Chinatown
HarbourFront
Jurong BirdPark
Jurong West
Jurong East
Singapore River
Tiong Bahru
Upper Bukit Timah
West Coast Park
Orchard Road

North Region (by SingTel)
Ang Mo Kio Central
Bishan
Checkpoint
Hougang Central
Kovan
Mandai Zoo
Novena
Orchard
Sembawang
Sengkang
Serangoon Central
Thomson
Toa Payoh
Woodlands
Yishun Central

East Region (by iCell)
Changi Village
Joo Chiat
Marine Parade
Pasir Ris Park
Siglap
Simei


for complete coverage area, please check directly at this: Coverage Areas

Who can use?
All residents and visitors to Singapore can sign up for a free account.

How to sign up for new account?

Users with access to the Internet can log onto any of the three operators' websites and complete an online registration form.
click here: iCell, M1, SingTel

Alternatively, user can click on the 'New User Sign Up' link found on the Wireless@SG log-in page when they select the Wireless@SG network at the coverage areas. The account will be activated immediately and a password sent to them via SMS.


Enjoy the free Wi-FI :)


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Singapore Taxi Fare Revised 2011

Although this has been quite late to publish but I'm still posted up this information as this might help me or others to find the revised taxi fare in Singapore recently. Starting 6th of December 2011, comfort taxi (largest taxi operator) announced revisions its taxi fare structure. This changes also has been followed by other operator such SMRT by 20th of December 2011 and others such TransCab, etc by 3rd of January 2012

Following table showing the revised fare structure:

Basic fareNormalLimousineChrysler
Flag-Down (inclusive of 1st km or less)$3.00-$3.40$3.90$5.00
Every 400m thereafter or less up to 10km$0.22$0.22$0.33
Every 350 metres thereafter or less after 10 km$0.22$0.22$0.33
Every 45 secs of waiting or less$0.22$0.22$0.33

Peak Hour Surcharge
Mon - Fri (6:00am to 9:30am)25% of metered fare
Mon - Sun & Public Holidays (6:00pm to midnight)25% of metered fare

Applicable at the time of boarding. Not applicable on Sundays and Public Holidays. 

Midnight Surcharge
Midnight to 5:59am50% of metered fare

Central Business District (CBD) Surcharge
Mon - Sun & Public Holidays (5:00pm to midnight)$3.00

Applicable for trips starting from CBD area. Not applicable on Sundays and Public Holidays.
The CBD surcharge is payable on top of the Peak Hour Surcharge.

Location Surcharges
Changi Airport & Changi Air Freight Centre
- Fri to Sun (5:00pm to midnight)
- At all other times

$5.00
$3.00
Seletar Airport$3.00
Marina Bay Sands
- Sun & Public Holidays (6:00am to 4:59pm)

$3.00
Resorts World Sentosa$3.00
Singapore Expo Centre$2.00

Booking FeesNormalLimousineChrysler
Mon - Fri (6:00am to 9:30am)$3.30$10.00$10.00
Mon - Sun & Public Holidays (6:00pm to midnight)$3.30$10.00$10.00
All other times including Sat, Sun and Public Holidays$2.30$10.00$10.00
Advanced Bookings (at least half an hour in advance)$8.00$18.00$20.00
To highlight different fare structure, here are some points you may take note when comparing current fare with previous fares:
1. Flag down (basic fare) increase $0.2
2. Every km charges increase about $0.00003  - $0.00005 (no much actually)
3. The fares could be lower during "old" peak hours, lower from 35% to 25%.
4. The fares increase 25% since they extended the peak hours include public holiday.
5. They lower the call booking fees for $0.2, but there is no different since they increase the basic fare for also $0.2

Here is table of comparison:

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Singapore Flyer is Giant Observation Wheels (for now)

The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel located in Singapore, constructed in 2005–2008. Described by its operators as an observation wheel,[1] it reaches 42 stories high, with a total height of 165 m (541 ft), making it the tallest Ferris wheel in the world, 5 m (16 ft) taller than the Star of Nanchang and 30 m (98 ft) taller than the London Eye.

If you seen my previous post about Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore Flyer can be seen on the left hand side when you are heading to MBS. The location not too far from there. From the top you are able to see Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan, as well as Johor, Malaysia.


Getting There
by MRT
nearest MRT is Promenade (circle line) and take exit A. To download the direction guide click here

by Car
If you drive fro CBD area, it takes you about 5 minutes to get there, 10 minutes from Orchard Road and 20 minutes from Changi Airport.

Address:
Singapore Flyer Pte Ltd
30 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039803

Parking rates:
Date Time Parking Charges (excluding GST)
Mon – Fri 0700 – 1859 $1.00 for 1/2 hr

1900 – 0159 $2.50 per entry

0200 – 0659 $1.00 for 1/2 hr
Sat & Sun
$1.20 for 1/2 hr
Public Holidays
$1.20 for 1/2 hr


Operating Hours:
Opens daily from 8:30am to 10:30pm (Opening in March 2008)

Ride duration:
30 minutes

Ticket Prices: 
From $29.50 for one adult ride, to about $1,500 to rent a whole capsule
Singapore student only pay $15 on weekdays 

Other things:
Rainforest Discovery

Take a relaxing stroll along the 5 winding access paths after your experience on board Singapore Flyer, and enjoy the quiet serenity inside the rainforest. Tropical trees and shrubs offer cool reprieve from the sultry Singapore heat.

Houses shops, bars and restaurants
one of my favorite restaurant over there is Popeye :)

They do have promotion sometimes for tourist. Currently the promo only for those taking SIA flight:
Singapore Airlines (SIA) Boarding Pass Privileges
- 20% off Singapore Flight (Adult & Child) (8.30am to 10pm)

Singapore Flyer, Singapore Flyer, Singapore Flyer, Singapore Flyer, Singapore Flyer,

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GST refund - get product even cheaper

Those of you coming to Singapore for holiday, you must read this. Tourist is entitled to a GST refund on goods that you purchase from retailers participating in the Tourist Refund Scheme. The Scheme is only available for goods brought out via Changi International Airport.

Under the the Tourist Refund Scheme, a visitor to Singapore may claim for refund of the GST paid on purchases if you spend a minimum amount of S$100.00 (including GST) at participating shop tha has sign "Tax Free Shopping" or "Premier Tax Free logo".


GST refund proccess
1. Obtain Tax Refund Cheque. You are greatly advice to ask the shop if they are operating the scheme before make any purchase. Please note that GST refund form is not provided at the Singapore Custom at airport, this form must obtain at the time you purchased
2. Get the cheques validated. Please proceed to the Customs Inspection Counter to apply for your refund.  You are required to produce the goods, original receipt/invoice, completed refund form together with your passport and boarding pass/air ticket in person to the Customs Officer.
3. Cash it your cheques. After getting the endorsement on the refund form, you should proceed to the  respective counters if you are holding "Global Refund Cheque" or "Premier Tax Free Voucher" in Departure Transit Lounge (after Departure Immigration) to submit the forms endorsed by Customs and indicate your refund option. You can collect your cash refund immediately at the counter.  For credit card refund, the approved amount will be credited to your specified credit card

You are eligble to refund where:
1. You are not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident;
2. You spend 365 days or less in Singapore in the last 24 months before the date of purchase;
3. You have not been, at any time, employed in Singapore 6 months before the date of purchase;
4. You are not a member of the cabin or flight crew of the aircraft on which you are departing from Singapore; and
5. You are 16 years of age or above at the time of purchase.
6. The goods must be brought out of Singapore via Changi International Airport within 2 months from the date of purchase.
7. For bulky goods or goods to be checked in, please ensure that you proceed to the Singapore Customs GST Refund counter before checking in the goods.
If you are a student pass holder, you are eligible for GST refund if you purchase the goods not more than 4 months before the expiry of your student pass.  However, you must satisfy all the criteria above and intend to depart and remain outside Singapore for a minimum of 12 months.

Please note that the actual amount refunded may be lesser than the GST you have paid as a handling fee for the refund service will be deducted by the Retailer/Central Refund Agency/operator of Central Refund Counter.

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Transportation in Singapore

Singapore is known has the best transportation in the world. It is very easy and convenient to go from one place to another place. The Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) connect to almost every part in Singapore, from East to West and North to South. Bus timing frequency is between 6-20mins depending peak or off-peak hours.

Ticketing
EZ Link Card

EZlink Card - a contactless smart cards used for the payment of public transportation fares in Singapore, with limited use in the small payments retail sector.

You can easily get the EZlink Card at every station at passenger service or ticket office, 7-11 store, and SingPost outlets.

Location Sales Price Stored Value Card Cost
TransitLink Ticket Offices, Passenger Services Centres $12 $7 $5
7-Eleven stores $10 $5 $5
SingPost outlets $5 $0 $5

Ticket is valid for 5 years and it is auto renew when you top-up the value. For visitor who do not want to buy EZlink card, can get Singapore Tourist Pass. This is like rental of EZlink card, do not need to pay for card cost.

Standard ticket and Coins - Most buses in Singapore only accepted coins and no change given. After you put in the coins, the small white color ticket is generated and you will need to keep this ticket with you until end of journey for checking purposes. There is a person with white color dress who boarding from one bus to another bus just only to check if you did pay the correct fares or tapped in the EZlink card.

General Ticketing Machine
MRT required a standard ticket to be purchased through General Ticketing Machine. The price of the ticket is with additional $1 refundable deposit where you can get the refund at your destination station.
This General ticketing machine accept coins and $2, $5, and $10 notes *change is given (all coins)

Using EZlink card is cheaper than using cash, it can be cheaper as $0.30 per trip.



Mass Rapid Transport (MRT)
Currently there are 4 lines in operation, there are East-West (Green) line, North-South (Red) line, North - East (Purple) line, and Circle (Yellow) line. Yellow line is not fully operated yet.
Travel time between stations are between 2-3 mins
All stations within CBD area are underground and the rest are elevated.
First train at changi airport starts at 0531hrs/0559hrs and last train at 0006hrs. For those of you going to city or West area, please note that last train service from Tanah Merah stn is only until 2331hrs. Please check the timing on respective stn here

All 4 lines are connected and you can transfer easily at the interchange area that is mark with white circle.
For Example journey from Changi to Orchard:
1. Take the train at Changi Airport and alight at Tanah Merah stn (Exit for train to Joo Koon)
2. Board the train to Joo Koon and alight at City Hall stn, transfer to Red Line train to Jurong East.
3. Orchard stn is just about 3 stn away from City Hall stn.

Bus
Bus transport in Singapore is the most comprehensive and affordable means of public transport for the masses, with over two million rides taken per day on average on the buses of the two main public transport providers SBS Transit and SMRT Corporation. There are more than 300 bus services covering all parts of Singapore.

For apple user, you may get Singapore Bus Guide through Apple store here

Taxi

Basic Fare: $2.80 (normal) and $3.20 (Limousine). Click here for full detail of cab fare

Taxi Hotline:
Dial-A-Cab      6342 5222
CityCab           6552 1111
Comfort Taxi    6552 1111
SMRT Taxis    6555 8888
SMART Cabs  6485 7777
TransCab         6555 3333
Premier Taxis   6363 6888
Prime Taxi        6778 0808
Yellow-Top Taxi    6293 5545

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