Drink Coffee Like a Singaporean

Photography by Edwin Koo for The New York Times

There are many ways to explore Singapore — through its casinos, its busy night clubs, its botanical gardens. As a youth there, I became well acquainted with its Burger Kings and malls. But I realized during visits from the United States that the most authentic view of the city is always at a kopitiam: one of the old-school coffee shops that dot almost every neighborhood in the country, serving up cheap breakfasts, uniquely Singaporean coffee and, later in the day, cold beer and simple meals….Read more…

Singapore, The Ultimate Ride

You’ll have a thrilling time with TRANSFORMERS The Ride, one of many world renowned brands recently arrived in Singapore.

With celebrated brands like American designer Michael Kors setting up shop here, legendary chef Joël Robuchon bringing his Michelin star expertise to town with L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Joël Robuchon Restaurant and one of the biggest American megaclubs, Avalon, bringing on the party atmosphere (see elsewhere in this Guide for more on all of these), a visit to Singapore these days is a chance to sample the world at your doorstep. It’s a fun ride and we do mean that quite literally.

TRANSFORMERS The Ride at Universal Studios Singapore® is proving to be a big hit with Singaporeans and tourists. Ever since its opening in December last year, Universal Studios Singapore staff have reported hordes of guests dashing in from the main gates when the park opens, making a beeline for the dramatic four minute long ride.

It is easy to see why. With an estimated cost of more than S$50 million, the attraction boasts the most hyper-realistic, immersive ride experience for motion-based theme park attractions anywhere in the world. It uses cuttingedge high definition 3D media, sophisticated visual effects, and one of the most elaborate roaming flight simulator systems ever integrated into a ride-car vehicle. Nearly four years in the making, Universal Studios Singapore is the first amusement park to have this ride and will be the only one in the world until a second opens in Universal Studios Hollywood in May 2012.

On the ride, guests are transported into the Transformers universe as new recruits, protecting the Allspark shard from the evil Decepticons, alongside the Autobots. It takes them dashing through subway tunnels, down city streets and across rooftops, with the Decepticons hot on their heels.

According to Mr. John Hallenbeck, Vice President of Park Operations for Universal Studios Singapore, the ride has exceeded all expectations. “We have guests and annual pass holders taking the ride over and over again. Their expressions are nothing short of amazement and exhilaration. The interesting thing about this ride is that every time you take it, you seem to notice something new—it’s never the same experience,” he says.

Universal Studios Singapore

8 Sentosa Gateway,

Sentosa Island

Tel: (65) 6577-8888

Nearest MRT: HarbourFront

http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore/TransformersTheRide

…..FULL ARTICLE

The Singapore Biennale 2011: Turning Singapore into a cultural capital

In a disused hanger, sunlight streams through broken windows. Rainwater drips from rusty iron girders. In this unlikely setting stands one of the key works of the Singapore Biennale 2011 (March 13 to May 15) — a big barn with a stuffed goat.

Created by Scandinavian duo Elmgreen and Dragset, this traditional German barn looks out of place among the remnants of Singapore’s former Kallang Airport. Inside, fresh hay is piled high, filling the barn with the smell of the countryside, while three hunky Asian youths laze on the bales…..FULL ARTICLE

March 17, Elaine Ee, www.cnngo.com

Timbre Rock & Roots 2011: Shaking up Asia’s festival scene

Surprise, surprise — the past few years have seen Singapore’s live music scene undergo a resurgence.

More local bands are emerging.

Slash, Taylor Swift, Eric Clapton, Janet Jackson, Santana and Stone Temple Pilots have already played Singapore this year….. FULL ARTICLE

April 1, John Davidson, www.cnngo.com

Jimmy Eat World rock out with fans

FOR American alternative-rock band Jimmy Eat World, playing in Singapore was, well, a dream come true.

In an interview with my paper at Sentosa’s Hard Rock Hotel before their concert last Friday night, the quartet gushed about being able to travel to Singapore – considered by some to be an exotic destination on the world map….. FULL ARTICLE

April 4, My Paper, http://news.asiaone.com

The ‘S-Factors’ of Singapore

The past few years have seen a dramatic rise in Filipinos visiting Singapore.

With very affordable air fares enticing even the ordinary Filipinos to travel, Singapore evolves as one of the more popular destinations for travelers because of its proximity to the Philippines which means short travel time, and its “S-factors”—sights, sounds, shopping and sumptuous food….. FULL ARTICLE

March 15, Ana Marie S. Tiangco, www.mb.com.ph

4 acts you shouldn’t miss at the Mosaic Music Festival 2011

Singapore’s biggest music festival is up. This year’s ten-day Mosaic Music Festival brings together more than 20 music personalities from all over the world in a manic culmination of talent and artistry spanning genres that range from pop, to jazz, to tango, to electronic….. FULL ARTICLE

March 14, Denise Cheong, www.cnngo.com

“THAT SHOW RULED!!” Taylor Swift speaks now of Singapore

Taylor Swift is definitely not like any other singing sensation. While there are some on the international music scene blissfully unaware of a little island called Singapore, and others who find it too small to include it as a tour stop, the American chose Singapore to kick off her world tour….. FULL ARTICLE

February 11, Hester Tan, www.channelnewsasia.com

Singapore’s incredible, edible opportunities

Spending 24 hours in transit for your next meal isn’t for everyone. All the more so when the equatorial destination is hot and sticky year-round with seasonal variations limited to steady monsoonal rains or blazing sun with intervals of pummeling showers. Welcome to Singapore, the ought-a-be culinary capital of Southeast Asia….. FULL ARTICLE

February 6, Michael C. Zusman, www.oregonlive.com

The S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants: Singapore

Some say that Singapore is the best food city in the world. Founded by Sir Stamford Raffles as a trading post of the British East India Company in 1819, the tiny city state attracted a host of merchants and workers from Kerala to Canton. Many stayed, carving out little enclaves in the city and nurturing one of Asia’s most vibrant street food and hawker stall scenes. From flaky hot Indian roti to tongue tingling Chinese chilly crab and rich Sumatran beef rendang, you can have it all here…. FULL ARTICLE

www.theworlds50best.com