Well this afternoon I was on a mission to buy some new Christmas decorations, and as the shopping centre was in a fairly interesting part of the city, I thought I would take a walk around and take some pics.
So what? I hear you all cry. Well maybe you might like to consider Singapore as a visa run destination - and this area has some budget hotels, a bit of history, and some good eating and drinking places, good shopping and ofcourse Golden Mile (Mecca for Thais in Singapore).
Impress your mates who have never been anywhere in Singapore apart from Orchard Road and Changi Airport.
First up, some hotels in the area (we are talking budget here but all pleasant, clean and safe, and in great locations)
^ Hotel 81 Bugis - Hotel 81 is a big chain of budget hotels which started off in the more seedy areas of town but are now branching out in better areas.
+ welcome to Hotel 81 +
^ Beach Hotel. Located just on the corner of Beach Road and Liang Seah Street. Seems quite popular as the No Vacancies sign is often displayed.
Beach Hotel Singapore - Asia Travel Hotels Resorts Reservation
^ Park View Hotel - This is one place I know very well from my adulterous adventurtes in this past year. Very reasonably priced, clean rooms etc. Breakfast is included in the room price but it is a bit samey though.
Park View Hotel Singapore
^ Golden Landmark Hotel. Getting on a bit now, but still a fairly good hotel but room costs double the previous three hotels i mentioned.
Golden Landmark Hotel Singapore - Asia Travel Resort & Hotel Reservation Services
So anyway, on with my stroll which started at the Park View Hotel bus stop. First thoughts - damn its hot, why did I start this at 1 oclock in the afternoon.
Walked past the Beach Hotel and into Liang Seah Street.
This road is pretty happening at night, especially on weekdays with the people finishing work at the nearby offices as there are quite a few pubs and many good (and cheap) local restaurants. Some of the restaurants stay open until 4am.
For those into that kind of thing, there are a few dodgy massage parlours on the second storey of some of the shophouses.