Singapore is definitely at the heart of Asia!

The Mole has always liked Singapore, describing this miniscule country as “Asia that works” and for both leisure and business travellers that is more often than not, often very important. 

While some other Asian cities might appear to be more “authentic”, they also have their downsides if you are organising a conference or incentive or even a holiday, with greater challenges in terms of infrastructure, security, health, hospitals, cleanliness, etc, etc., but hey, there is nothing missing in the authenticity of Singapore!

[Pictured right: Singapore’s famous Raffles Hotel – very smart!]

Some say that Singapore is rather predictable and even boring, lacking the excitement of some other Asian cities, but the Singapore The Mole discovered was most definitely not boring or predictable with the tiny state located just off off shore at the tip of Malaysia, vibrant, dynamic, buzzing, busy and clean, with Singaporeans immensely proud of what their nation has achieved in establishing what is now one of Asia’s leading economic powerhouses.

So, if Singapore is boring or predictable, which it is clearly not, then give me Singapore anytime over much more “risky” destinations with The Mole’s visit to Singapore revealing a city state not boring by any stretch of the imagination, but a city that appears to have reinvented itself and is it hot – and I don’t mean just the weather although that was hot too!

[Pictured left: Singapore’s “downtown” at night]

During this week The Mole will be reporting on location from Singapore and if 20% of the world’s cranes are reported to be in Dubai than a fair percentage have to be in Singapore, with massive construction going on just about everywhere, always a really good sign of economic strength.

The visit was made even more exciting with the Mole flying both ways on Singapore Airline’s brand spanking new A380, which is an amazing aircraft, so watch out in TravelMole today to hear about the A380 and a first hand report on what the “big fella” is like to fly in.

So, everyday this week The Mole will be reporting from Singapore featuring visits to some of Singapore’s hot new MICE and leisure facilities and attractions, sold for leisure travellers in Australia by Explore Holidays and Creative Holidays, some the country’s leading hotels including the largest hotel in Singapore and the highest hotel in SE Asia, the Swissotel Stamford and also the fabulous Singapore based cruise vessel the SuperStar Virgo.

Also if you want to arrive in Singapore in style then you have to try Singapore Changi Airport’s, new high sped and seamless JetQuay arrivals service- look out for that report in TravelMole today.

This week’s reports will also include feedback on: –

The House at Dempsey Hill;

One Rochester;

The stunning new St Regis Hotel – opening shortly;

The China Club – a fantastic lunch venue perched atop one of the city’s tallest buildings;

The Red Dot Design Museum;

The nearly finished Singapore Flyer due to open in March 2008  [An artists impression of the finished flyer pictured right];

The new Singapore Formula One circuit

Clark Quay’s Coriander Leaf on Clark Quay where they run all sorts of cooking and team buidling programmes;

A traditional breakfast of Kaya Toast;

The massive Integrated Resort development opposite the city at Marina Bay Sands;

The stunning Amara Sanctuary Resort at Sentosa;

The huge new Resorts World development at Sentosa;

A spot of really serious retail therapy at Vivo City;

Singapore’s newest night life venue at St James Power Station;

The fabulous Ritz Carlton Hotel – what a lunch! 

The National Museum of Singapore; and finally

The new Terminal 3 at Changi Airport……………and all in just a few days!

The Mole even found time to interview Aussie Stephen Forshaw, the Vice President Public Affairs of Singapore Airlines – one of the most powerful and influential roles in this very impressive airline – a really interesting discussion, which will appear later this week.

So, if you think that you have “done” Singapore in the past, then think again, because this is a fantastic “new” Singapore and it is time to go back!

If you want to discover what’s new about Singapore for both business and leisure travellers, then all you have to do is read TravelMole this week……..discover the “new” Singapore, you will not be disappointed.

The Mole reporting on location from Singapore.

The Mole was a guest of Singapore Tourism Board