After arriving in Singapore from Thailand, my first thoughts were very positive. I love how clean this place is compared to its SE Asian counterparts. You can actually take deep breaths of the air. The Metro system is inexpensive and easy to use. Finally, English! As the primary language, people speak proper English and have no discernible accent.

Exchange rate of 1.29 SGN/USD at the Airport was the best exchange rate that I have found (no commission either.) Took the metro from Airport to my hotel on Lavender Street. Cost was about $2.50. Very easy to use, everything clearly marked, plenty of employees to help you with directions.

The negatives hit shortly after I reached Orchard Towers. Known as the "Four Floors of Whores", I laughed when I saw that it was right next to the Thai Embassy. Walking into this place, my first impression was that this place is a dump. The bars don't really get any girls in until after 7-730. Most bars had one small draft beer for $6. However, beer bottles ranged from $13-$20 each. Lady Drinks were on a scale of $33/44/55 for the most part, with a few bars starting their lady drink prices at $40. Majority of the workers were Filipinas, followed by Russians and a small sampling of Thais and Indonesians. It is true that the higher the floor, the more ladyboys that you will encounter.

For daytime action, Orchard Tower has a ton of massage parlors. Prices start at $50/30 min for massage itself.

Discos have cover of $20-$30 and beer prices of $20-$40 .

Was excited to eat at Wendy's in Asia, even if it cost me $10 for a hamburger and small fries / drink.

Beautiful city, glad I can say that I have been here once, but I am ready to get back to LOS!

I was in Singapore a couple months ago for a quick visa run. I was there for 24 hours and cashed in US$500 for Singapore $s, ostensibly to pay for 3 meals - lunch, dinner and lunch the next day. I needed to exchange more to cover the last meal.

I've been to Bangkok twice in the last month and have no intentions of returning to Singapore.

$500 for 1 day in Singapore? If it was just for meals, I find that very hard to believe.

The only place worth visiting is Ipanema, IMO. They have a strict no-tranny policy.

Another alternative is the Geylang neighbourhood. Wander around at night - it looks like a residential neighbourhood, but every house that has a red light is a working brothel.

Dinner: Long Beach for Black Pepper and Chili Crabs (no alcohol) S$240
http://www.longbeachseafood.com.sg/about.php

Lunch: Osteria Mozza for Italian Food (bottle of house red) S$190
http://www.osteriamozza.com/

Lunch: DB Bistro Moderne for the DB Bistro burger (carafe of house red) S$85
http://www.dbbistro.com/singapore/

I stayed at The Sail, across from the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Taxis to Marina Bay Sands, where Osteria Mozza and DB Bistro Moderne are located was S$15 r/t x 2. Round trip taxi to Long Beach was S$50.

Singapore is not cheap. I have no reason to lie. Singapore is expensive and very "plastic" IMO. Just my observation from a scant 24 hours there.

I had some fabulous dinners in Singapore for 10 bucks or less.

I love you, man, but your way ain't the only way.

Porker:

Right back at ya!

I was replying to Wnose, doubting that I was able to spend $500 on 2 lunches and a dinner in Singapore. Real easy at the three places I ate at.

I, too, have had great meals for less than $10 in many places. Just last night in Kuala Lumpur I had some awesome Tandoori chicken, garlic naan and 2 bags of iced tea at a 24-hour Indian place down the block from my shop. About $5.

Satay skewers go for 25 cents on that same corner.

Reminds me today is Sunday and there's a Sunday only night market across from the local Mosque here - great values and I've become addicted to their fresh sugar cane with lemon - they grind the cane right in front of you!

Hope to run into you in AC - let me know when you'll be there, I'll pop over for a couple days.

singapore is actually known for high quality cheap clean street food from all over SE Asia.they have night stalls were you can great food at cheap prices.