Singapore & Bali

On Sentosa (the beach in Singapore), they have a chairlift thing - a bit like a ski-lift - which takes you up over the treetops, and then there's a WAY cool go-kart/toboggan ride down the hill back to the beach. It was the highlight of my trip (although it has to be said that most of the other people riding the go-karts were under the age of 10 - once I got over the embarassment factor I made the most of my weight advantage and totally zoomed past them ?).

You should definately go and eat at the food market in Newton Circus. Its just outside one of the MRT stations. Have a wander around the food stalls, find a table and therefore a number then go and order some food. Its better if one of you stays at the table. The food will then arrive and pay when it comes. Also order lime juice off any of the serving people that are wandering around. Great food and nice and cheap!

Sorry, I haven't got any first-hand recs to add, but have been told that Tanah Lot, Batur (volcano) and the paddy fields are all worth seeing in Bali. Also Ubud is supposed to be worth a visit. All the big temples seem to be really interesting and beautiful but I guess it might be a case of too much of the same thing - Tanah Lot is the biggie.

OH and I are looking to get married in Bali late next year, so I'll be watching this thread with interest as I'd love to get some first hand recs and opinions. The lady that reccommended the above to me hadn't been to Bali in about 10yrs, so I've been relying on travel guides and t'internet for ideas on an itinerary.

The one thing she did tell me is that before you go into Tanah Lot, they ask you whether you're on your period!?

When we went to Bali, we hired one of the locals to take us around the Island - he took to the market, volcanoe, coffe plantations, monkey forest, paddy fields, temples as well as telling us all about Bali life - he was amazing! and was well worth the money (i think we paid about £15 and we were out from 8am untill 8pm!!). We went white water rafting and did the elephant safari too - they were both amazing!! The food is sooo cheap - you will have an amazing time!!

In Singapore I would also recommend Santosa Island - the sealife centre is really good (you get to watch a pink dolphin show as part of the price). Raffles for a Singapore sling, the Singapore eye and drinks at clarke quey

Have fun!!

I second Newton Circus, make sure you try Roti Chanai, food of the gods!

I was born in Singapore but haven't been for years and considering it changes monthly my suggestions are probably totally out of date bu the zoo on the mainland was good, if slightly weird, one of the rides took you through the seven stages of hell.....

When are you going? I can try and find out if there are any polo tournaments on if you fancy it? ETA, just re-read it's next week. There's nothing on then.

Sentosa was fun, very touristy but then you'll be a tourust so it'll be perfect. You can always go on a day trip across the bridge to Jahore if you want to.

We went to both for our honeymoon. 4 days on Singapore and 15 nights in Bali. I absolutely loved it and would go back tomorrow!

The night Safari was good and so was the shopping in Singapore.

Oooh I am jealous, we came back from Singapore and Bali in June. Absolutely love Bali and can't wait to go back (now we're living in Australia it'll be sooner rather than later!)

Singapore is fantastic, the Singapore flyer is worth doing, we were in a capsule on our own as it was so quiet, gives a good view of the Grand Prix circuit.

Bali; Ubud is worth a visit, nice place to walk around, some interesting little shops and you can go into the palace courtyard which has a rather fierce guard so comply with the signs! Definitely hire a driver; their knowledge is superb and will take you anywhere you want to go for as long as you want and it costs next to nothing. I can highly recommend http://sannybalitours.wordpress.com/ we used him and he was fantastic. Decent safe looking vehicle (some of them seem to be held together with sticky tape and a prayer!)

Volcano is a trek to get the really good views (not easy with a year old baby in a sling!) but so worth it. Monkey forest is superb as long as you don't mind running the risk of having a monkey on you! I did this solo as thought it might be a bit scary for my 3yo. The monkeys and their surroundings are fab.

Bali zoo is a nice day out; you need to go with open eyes though, the safari tour was good, as were the shows but they do have obviously drugged tigers etc out for tourist photos. Our guide couldn't figure out why we refused to have our pictures done as its not seen as cruel there; its just their way of making money from the tourists. If you can look past that then the zoo is surprisingly good; take a swimsuit as it has a nice swimming pool included in the entrance fee.

Pura Tanah Lot temple: best seen at sunset really as it looks wonderful with the sun fading behind it. Get there in daylight to see it in all its glory then stay for the sunset. Only worshippers are allowed into the temple itself but the outside provides the tourist photos. If you do want to see inside a temple go to Goa Gajah (the elephant cave), its a temple in a cave, not huge but rather atmospheric unless you're there with bus loads of tourists pushing for their photos, its near Ubud so could be combined with a trip there as its a shorter stop rather than all day. If you are wearing shorts (men and women) then you will be required to wear a sarong. Women are not permitted to enter the temple if you are menstruating and a ceremony would have to be performed to make the temple sacred once again if a menstruating woman should enter.

Make sure you get out and about to local restaurants, in Sanur there are some really lovely places along the beachfront. Meals are super cheap and the Balinese can't be more friendly. However by the time your holiday is over you will be sick to the back teeth of being offered 'transport', 'massage' or 'glass bottom boat'. You will also be encouraged by the locals to 'looky looky my shop'. Remember to haggle, haggle and haggle. The prices to start are high as haggling is expected. Take it as a bit of fun but remember that there's about 16500 rupiah to the pound and that whilst haggling is expected and fun not to take the mick as it is there income in a poor country.

Where are you staying in Bali? we always stay in Sanur at the Puri Santrian which has always been fantastic. We stayed at the Hyatt in Sanur once which was fine but the hotel is getting slightly dated. Still lovely though and nothing that amde the stay unpleasant. However we went to a wedding at the Padma hotel in Kuta which was stunning; the ceremony was performed in a a gazebo looking out to the sea and the reception was in the gardens of the presidential suite.

Have a wonderful time, we love Bali; its friendly, welcoming and great fun as well as being eye opening.

Thanks all for the recs, lots of things to look into.

Fallen Angel - We're staying at the Puri Santrian in a club room.

Oooo we stayed at the Puri Santrian too - its gorgeous!!!

Also i forgot to say about the candlelit dinner on a yatch (Bali Hai) at night - that was amazing, just two couples, a four course dinner and your own band!! VERY romantic!!! xxxx

If you go to the sea life centre in Sentosa then please feed the sting ray. It was fantastic experience and so much fun. H really regretted not doing it.

When you go over to Sentosa, use the mono rail going and then use the cable car coming back as you are more likely to get one on your own plus we had a fantastic sun set.

Buy a pass for the MRT. So easy to use and then you can top it up as needed. They even work through a bag or wallet.

Re: Singapore - if you are there on a sunday the big hotels do posh sunday brunch - we went to Raffles the last time we were there and it was amazing - about £40 a head for all you can eat lunch and free flowing Bollinger and the sitting lasts 4hrs! Make sure you book ahead.

re: Bali - Hire a driver for the day and take a tour through Ubud to the North of the Island - the volcanic crater up there is beautiful and you can also see the rice terraces in the same day. Other than that just chill and enjoy paradise!

v.v.v.v.v.v.v.jealous!

..afternoon tea at Raffles (book before you go) - the best foo and service and eat as much as you want

https://www.raffles.com/singapore/dining/tiffin-room/

scroll down for 'high tea'

L x