Will you be in Singapore on February 7, 2012?  If so, you won’t want to miss Thaipusam, a gruesome but very fascinating festival practised by the Tamil Hindu community. This annual religious event is also celebrated in India, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia (the Travelfish.org Kuala Lumpur correspondent wrote about it, too). Update February 8, 2012: … read the full post

When backpackers come to Singapore they typically make their home at one of the hostels in Bugis or Little India. While it’s true that these neighbourhoods have a lot to offer budget travellers, don’t forget about Chinatown. Singapore’s Chinatown offers a central location,  amazing food, tons of culture, vibrant street markets, and top-notch hostels. Comfortable, … read the full post

With a record that includes banning chewing gum and censoring slapstick comedies like Borat, it’s fair to say that Singapore is not known for its sense of humour. But that doesn’t mean Singaporeans don’t enjoy a good laugh. To see the city-state at its silliest and most politically incorrect, check out Comedy Masala night every … read the full post

With nearly three out of every four Singaporeans being of Chinese heritage, it’s no surprise that Chinese New Year is the biggest festival of the year in the city state. It’s also the only multi-day public holiday in this high-stress society, and for many Singaporeans it’s the one time of year when they can forget … read the full post

Whether you’re shopping for a designer watch, durian cookies, football cleats or the latest smartphone you can find it in Singapore – and all under one roof at the 24-hour shopping mecca of Mustafa Centre. Mustafa Centre is more than just a department store: it’s one of Little India’s biggest attractions. Its four levels are … read the full post

It feels like I’ve barely had time to put away the champagne glasses but it’s New Year’s in Singapore once again. Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, officially begins on January 23, 2012, and is celebrated for 15 days. This is the biggest event of the year in … read the full post

Think fast: you have 30 seconds to name as many Singaporean musicians as possible. Go! . . . . . . Did you get zero? Yeah, me too, and I live here. So Singapore certainly isn’t known for its musical talent, but if you like your beer with a side of rock’n’roll there are a … read the full post

Singapore is famous for its crab. This is why. It can be a pricey dish to buy if you’re travelling on a budget — though No Signboard Seafood could be a start — so we suggest sampling it as part of a larger meal with a group. This is easy to do if you take … read the full post

Sungei Buloh is a 160-hectare mangrove swamp along Singapore’s northern coast. The area was doomed for redevelopment with condos boasting Johor Bahru views, but local birdwatchers objected, pointing out the swamp is visited by hundreds of migratory species, some quite rare. Today, Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve survives as one of Singapore’s last wild places and has … read the full post