Suzhou Singapore International School

Hello, lah! Nice to meetchu.  Eh, don’t shy! Don’t know how to speak, what. Never been to Singapore? No worries. All you need is this simple guide, some money, and a good command of the word “lah!”, and the island of Singapore will be at your disposal.

No visit to Singapore is complete without a little indulgence in the country’s national sport. On your marks…get set…SHOP! From the cultural charms of Little India, Chinatown, and Arab Street; to the lively market-stalls of Bugis; to the newest in electronics at Vivocity; to the high-end designer boutiques of Orchard Road, Singapore offers an eclectic mix of shopping opportunities for all.  While you’re at it,  dabble in another traditional custom – bargaining.

Though attempting to bargain at the Gucci store in Takashimaya may elicit raised eyebrows and mutterings of “Alamak! You siao liao is it?” doing so at market stalls is part of the shopping experience itself. Remember to shout “lah!” at the end of every sentence – the vendors will think you’re a local, and give you a fair deal!

If shopping is Singapore’s national sport, then food is Singapore’s national treasure. Singaporean cuisine represents an infusion of Malay, Chinese, and Indian food. The most famous – or, perhaps, notorious – of Singaporean food is durian -- a fruit known equally for its succulent flesh and its pungent smell. Opinions of durian range from “Sedap! It’s so good!” to “Wahliao! It smells like rotten feet!” You haven’t experienced Singapore if you haven’t tried durian – albeit through the safety of a clothespin firmly affixed to the nose.

Besides the delights of food and shopping, Singapore also has a variety of sight-seeing attractions for you to visit. For those who are able to keep their eyes open while simultaneously fighting off the quivering of knees and the controlling of the bladder, the Singapore Flyer offers of a bird’s-eye-view of the island at a jaw-dropping 165 m high. From this vantage point, patrons with super-human eyesight will be able to see other Singaporean attractions such as the Botanical Gardens, Sentosa Island, the Singapore Zoo, the Raffles Hotel, Jurong Birdpark, and the River Merlion.

Stop being a wimp and try some durian, don’t max out your parent’s credit card, control your bladder on the Singapore Flyer, and, perhaps most importantly of all, practice your “lah!”! Remember that, and you’re all set. Okay lah, ketchup with you. Relak!