SINGAPORE INSIDER OCT · NOV · DEC People I Places I Events I Dining I Nightlife www.YourSingapore.com SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS IS NOW A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE What incredible news; excuse us while we bust out a celebratory dance! Speaking of dancing, there are plenty of opportunities to let your hair down at this time of year, with the entire city prepping for a colourful plethora of year-end festivities. Exciting! Just arrived and still finding your way around? Make this issue of Singapore Insider your secret weapon. Its vibrant pages are filled with the best of Singapore; a rich cultural city offering fabulous hawker food, impressive shopping, stylish restaurants, innovative bars, and so much more. With this guide, you’ll discover more than the iconic sights – a wonderful array of authentic local experiences awaits! Even before the Christmas lights flicker to life and holiday tunes take over the airwaves, Singapore will be rammed with incredible events and standout festivals. These include the WTA Finals Singapore, Singapore River Festival, Singapore Wine Fiesta, and of course, Halloween. For a dose of art and culture, visit the recently-revamped Asian Civilisations Museum and National Gallery Singapore, catch a movie at the Singapore International Film Festival, or get your hands on unusual pieces at the Affordable Art Fair. Finally, be sure to save some energy for when November and December roll around; ‘tis the season to feast, shop and play! Until the end of the year, expect great shopping deals, heaps of festive activities and endless countdown parties. 2015 is absolutely set to close with a bang – see you there! CHRIS EDWARDS AND THE HONEYCOMBERS FOUNDER Samantha David THE HONEYCOMBERS For general enquiries, contact Chris Edwards Katie Boon [email protected] the SINGAPORE TOURISM Nafeesa Saini BOARD, Tourism Court, MANAGING EDITOR HO PRINTING 1 Orchard Spring Lane, Zakaria Muhammad Rachael Wheeler SINGAPORE PTE LTD Singapore 247729 DESIGNERS 31 Changi South Street 1 Tel: (65) 6736 6622 SINGAPORE EDITOR Aliff Tee Singapore 486769 Fax: (65) 6736 9423 Crystal Lee Touristline: 1800 736 2000 Zhang Sze Li (outside Singapore) HONEYKIDS EDITOR Debbie Ng Selina Altomonte Hazirah Rahim STB is not responsible for the accuracy, HONEYBRIDES EDITOR COVER PHOTO completeness or usefulness of this Cherylene Chan Sofie Chandra wears publication and shall not be liable Young Hungry Free for any damage, loss, injury or SALES & MARKETING inconvenience arising from or in Kate Reynolds and Eugene Lim wears connection with the content of this Evenodd; photographed publication. You should verify or seek WRITERS clarification from the individual third by Eleonora Graziani of parties referred to in this publication. MA 001 05 15 Q4 Shairah Thoufeekh Boom Boom Studios www.YourSingapore.com 02 CONTENTS Sofie Chandra and Eugene Lim 03 IN THE KNOW Essential information about Singapore 04 WHAT’S ON Exciting events in the months ahead 10 FEATURE Cool kids Sofie Chandra and Eugene Lim share their top things to do in Singapore 12 BNP PARIBAS WTA FINALS SINGAPORE PRESENTED BY SC 13 DEEPAVALI GLOBAL Cultural celebrations you can’t miss Your guide to the most prestigious tournament in women’s tennis 14 IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD A walking tour of Little India Deepavali 16 SEE & DO 10 must-dos in Singapore Spices 18 FEATURE Dr Nigel Taylor of Singapore Botanic Gardens gives us a tour around the UNESCO World Heritage Site 20 EAT The best and latest on the Singapore dining scene 24 DRINK The hottest of Singapore’s nightlife Hainanese Chicken Rice 26 #LIKEALOCAL Singlish words and phrases to know 27 SHOPPING Local designers and multi-label stores – here’s where to shop and what to buy 30 FAMILY FUN Bruno Things to do with the little ones Ménard 32 MAPS & APPS Train routes and recommended downloads Want more? Visit www.YourSingapore.com 03 IN THE KNOW TRANSPORT TIPPING VISITOR CENTRES MRT It is not usual practice to tip Orchard Trains typically run from 5.30am in Singapore, although it is 216 Orchard Road (Next to to 12.00am. Standard tickets appreciated by service staff. orchardgateway@emerald) vary from $1.40 to $2.70. See Most hotels and restaurants 9.30am-10.30pm daily page 32 the for map. quote prices as “++,” which Somerset SMRT Hotline includes 10 percent service Don’t miss! Visit CRAFT|SINGAPORE, (65) 1800 336 8900 charge and 7 percent goods an exhibition located at the second www.smrt.com.sg and services tax (GST). floor of the Singapore Visitor Bus Centre (Orchard), to learn about the Fares start from as low as evolution of Singapore’s creative 79 cents. Try to have the industry. Let the stories and works exact fare as bus drivers do of local creative talents inspire you not give change. to explore and uncover hidden gems of Singapore. SMRT Hotline (65) 1800 336 8900 ION Orchard www.sbstransit.com.sg HANDY Level 1 Concierge www.smrt.com.sg 2 Orchard Turn HINTS 10am-10pm daily Taxi Orchard Fares start from $3.00. Chinatown Comfort and CityCab 2 Banda Street (Behind (65) 6552 1111 Buddha Tooth Relic Premier Cabs Temple and Museum) (65) 6363 6888 Mon-Fri 9am-9pm and SMRT Taxis Weekends and Public (65) 6555 8888 Holidays 9am-10pm Chinatown Tourist Hotline WORRY-FREE SHOPPING (65) 1800 736 2000 (toll-free in Singapore) CONNECTIVITY For a pleasant shopping (65) 6736 2000 (overseas) experience, compare prices, Buy a Singapore prepaid SIM enquire on refund policies, card from Changi Recommends and check the invoice as well and telecommunication retail as the warranty of the product shops, major shopping malls, and before making a purchase. convenience stores island-wide. More information on the above LANGUAGE Pocket Wi-Fi devices can also be rented and returned at Changi shopping tips can be found English is the spoken language, Recommends at the airport. on the Consumer Advisory though Singlish – a collection Alternatively, you can register for free section at YourSingapore.com of colloquial catch phrases and public Wi-Fi service with your foreign (under “Traveller Essentials”). lingo – dominates everyday mobile number at any Wireless@ For assistance or to flag conversations among locals SG hotspot, and receive your inappropriate retailer behaviour, (see page 26). Mandarin, Malay, login details via an SMS message. call 1800 736 2000 or email Tamil, and various dialects are Overseas charges may apply. [email protected]. also used. Had a good time? Share it with us at #YourSingapore 04 10 WHAT’S ON Halloween DA:NS Horror Nights® 5 Festival Singapore Jewelfest 2015 PRESIDENT’S YOUNG DA:NS FESTIVAL OCTOBER TALENTS Celebrating its 10th anniversary Trick or treat? Looks Singapore’s premier exhibition this year, Esplanade’s Da:ns Festival showcases a range of like October is serving showcases the contemporary works of five emerging local dance forms featuring world- the best of both, with artists. Members of the public renowned performers, new works BNP Paribas WTA Finals can take part in talks, curator and free programmes. Singapore presented tours, and also play judge by Oct 9 to 18 by SC Global as well as voting for their favourite artist. Esplanade a slew of marvellous Until Mar 27, 2016 www.dansfestival.com festivals this month, Singapore Art Museum City Hall www.singaporeartmuseum.sg including Singapore Bras Basah SINGAPORE JewelFest, Da:ns JEWELFEST 2015 Festival, Singapore HALLOWEEN Be dazzled by stunning ® River Festival, and HORROR NIGHTS 5 collections of the best jewels the highly-acclaimed Universal Studios Singapore® and gems from around the Singapore Wine Fiesta brings you the most intense and world at one of Singapore’s most 2015. Before we bid immersive Halloween event with extravagant showcases. four horrifying haunted houses, Oct 9 to 18 October goodbye, three terrifying scare zones and Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza Halloween celebrations thrilling rides. are, of course, in order. www.singaporejewelfest.com Select Nights, Oct 2 to 31 Orchard Road Dress to spook, and Universal Studios Singapore® scare yourself silly at the www.halloweenhorrornights. terrifying Halloween com.sg Horror Nights®! HarbourFront Want more? Visit www.YourSingapore.com 05 WHAT’S ON BNP Paribas WTA Finals Digital Fashion Singapore Presented by SC Global Week Singapore Singapore Cirque Du Soleil River Festival - Totem SINGAPORE WINE SINGAPORE RIVER CIRQUE DU SOLEIL – FIESTA 2015 FESTIVAL TOTEM This highly-anticipated festival The three-day extravaganza Get ready for a jaw-dropping features winemakers from around celebrates the diverse offerings, performance as the famous circus the world and offers four days history and heritage of Singapore troupe returns with a fascinating of wine tastings, complimentary River with aerial theatrical show that explores human masterclasses, live performances performances, art installations evolution – from a primordial, and other exciting activities. and a market featuring amphibian state toward the homegrown music and crafts. aspiration of flight. Oct 22 to 25 Clifford Square Oct 23 to 25 Oct 28 to Nov 22 www.winefiesta.com.sg Along the Singapore River Under the Big Top next to Raffles Place www.singaporeriverfestival.sg Marina Bay Sands® Clarke Quay www.cirquedusoleil.com TAG HEUER “DON’T Bayfront CRACK UNDER BNP PARIBAS WTA PRESSURE” – MARIA FINALS SINGAPORE DIGITAL FASHION SHARAPOVA PRESENTED BY SC WEEK SINGAPORE EXHIBITION MATCH GLOBAL Up-and-coming fashion designers In conjunction with the launch of The most prestigious tournament from Singapore and the world TAG Heuer x Maria Sharapova SG50 in women’s tennis returns with 10 over parade their latest creations limited edition watch, catch Maria days of non-stop sporting action at this annual style-meets-tech Sharapova and Michael Chang in and entertainment on and off event, which has welcomed an exhibition match at Singapore’s the court. notable names including Naomi first floating tennis court. Campbell, Guo Pei and Hilary Oct 23 to Nov 1 Alexander.