Singapore Trip

So i called the Royal @ Queens Hotel, the hotel I may be staying at when I go to Singapore in February, and asked them to send me some tourist maps and brochures on tour packages but that wasn't too successful. the woman who answered the phone suggested i print out their maps that they have on their website and book tours when i get there. those maps they have online are good but they aren't any good for wandering around by foot and i don't want to book a tour when i get there because they charge out the nose for onsite, right away booking. (i think i'll create my own tours anyhow)


matt suggested i "call Singapore" and ask them for some maps. hum .... 'can i do that? does Singapore have a number?' those questions sent me to the web - the wonderful world wide web. sure enough Singapore has a website ~and~ a way for interested persons like myself to request brochures and such on Singapore. I sent off my request straight away. can't wait to see what i get.

maps acquired - check.

another thing i like to do before traveling to a foreign country is check the US Department of State's travel warnings for that country. no travel warnings have been issued for Americans traveling to Singapore.

travel safety level determined - check.

another thing i like to do before traveling to a foreign country is read the US Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for that country. Some interesting bits for Singapore include:

• Since December 2001, Singapore security services have detained more than three dozen members of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a terrorist organization with links to Al Qaeda. JI had planned attacks against government and private targets in Singapore associated with the United States, Singapore and other countries. In the aftermath of terrorist bombings in Indonesia in October 2002, August 2003, September 2004 and October 2005, the Department of State is concerned that similar attacks may occur in other Southeast Asian nations because extremist groups present in Southeast Asia have demonstrated transnational capabilities to carry out attacks against locations where Westerners congregate.
• Major crimes against tourists in Singapore are uncommon. Petty crimes such as pick pocketing and purse or briefcase snatching occur in tourist areas, hotels and at the airport.
  
• Driving is done on the left-hand side of the road and motorists should be particularly aware of motorcyclists, who often ignore lane markings.
• Public transportation and taxis are abundant and inexpensive. Visitors should consider using this form of transportation, which is widely available and reliable.
• Automated teller machines (ATMs) are plentiful in Singapore, and they are the best method for obtaining cash.
• Singapore has a mandatory death penalty for many narcotics offenses.
• Visitors should be aware of Singapore's strict laws and penalties for a variety of actions that might not be illegal or might be considered minor offenses in the United States. These include jaywalking, littering, and spitting.

consular info sheet read - check.

i just thought of another thing i'd like to do before traveling to a foreign country: locate the US Embassy in that country in case my passport is stolen (or lost) then i know where to go to report it.

US Embassy located - check.

some other safety information from the DOS for Americans traveling abroad:

• Dress conservatively. Don't wear expensive-looking jewelry. A flashy wardrobe or one that is too casual can mark you as a tourist. Avoid the appearance of affluence.
• Always try to travel light. You can move more quickly and will be more likely to have a free hand. You will also be less tired and less likely to set your luggage down, leaving it unattended.
• Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe.
• If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair.
• Bring travelers checks and one or two major credit cards instead of cash.
• Make two photocopies of your passport identification page, airline tickets and the credit cards that you plan to bring with you. Leave one photocopy of this data with family or friends at home; pack the other in a place separate from where you carry your valuables.
• Pack an extra set of passport photos.
• Consider getting a telephone calling card.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home in case they need to contact you in an emergency.

general safety tips for traveling abroad reviewed - check.

i just thought of another thing i'd like to do before traveling to a foreign country: locate the Visitor's Center for all the map goodies that may or may not have been available at the airport.

Singapore Visitor's Center located - check.