Jul
25

Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas (Singapore) Itinerary 2022 & More

Category: Stuff To Do in Singapore Tags: Royal Caribbean Cruise Singapore, royal caribbean cruise to nowhere singapore, Royal Caribbean Sg, royal caribbean singapore cruise, royal caribbean singapore cruise to nowhere, Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas, spectrum of the seas singapore, travel tours from singapore

Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas has since assumed its cruises in April 2022 for Singapore and Malaysia having been disrupted by the Covid-19 outbreak. China and Japan currently remain out of bounds due to the closure of their borders for cruises. If you’re interested to go onboard a 5D4N cruise to nowhere (disembarking from Singapore – Kelang – Penang – Singapore), then this guide is for you. Before you read on, you may want to preview it in action in the video below including a quick room tour of our state room with unobstructed balcony view.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Singapore: Spectrum of the Seas Entertainment Live Show Times

The Royal Caribbean Cruise (Singapore) Spectrum of the Seas itinerary covers a wide variety of entertainment options.

The cruise offers a diverse range of live shows, music and dance performances, movie screenings as well as the Casino. Our recent cruise set sail from the 7th to 11th July 2022 (Monday to Thursday), and we were told the itinerary will most likely only alter every few months.

Day 1 (Singapore – Kelang) – we recommend you begin your journey with early check-in (earliest at 12 noon), so you’d have time to have lunch before unpacking (the state rooms will only be ready by 1:30pm) and get your reservations done on your Royal Caribbean app (this will be covered in detail as you read later) for your shows. There were no Headliner Shows scheduled on Day 1, however, be sure not to miss the quintessential music band performance by The Rhythmocracy at the Two70 stage located at Deck 5 of the ship. The Two70 stage is at the tail end of it, hence in the day you’ll be able to see vast sea views (we managed to see the ship turn around to ready itself to set sail from Marina Bay Singapore at 5:15pm). The Rhythmocracy Quartet delivers every beat of their punches with both their superb funky and balladic musical arrangement as well as their smooth vocals. This is a no-break live band performance that lasts about 45 minutes. No reservations necessary. They also perform in the Music Hall (located just outside the Casino on Deck 3) at 10:30pm on Tuesday & Wednesday nights. However on the first night, Aura Band from the Philippines takes this Music Hall slot. If you are still up for some party music until late at night (they take almost all dedications), be sure to find yourself a seat early, as the crowd may start to pour in and stand around you because the place is full. Our favourite spot to enjoy the band is from the seats on the 2nd storey along the glass railing, just in front of the bar. Try their Sunrise Tequila (USD$10), you won’t be disappointed.

Day 2 (Kelang – Penang)- This is the day that you need to catch world class entertainer Pengfei Su at 7:15pm and 9:30pm. We suggest finishing your dinner around 6:30pm and then proceed to start queueing at the Royal Theatre located on Deck 4 for the 7:15pm show in order to have a comfortable break before the following show that day The Silk Road. When we got to the Royal Theatre around 6:45pm there was already a big crowd forming at the entrance. It is free seating, but try to avoid seats directly behind the barricade as well as the pillars in order to have unobstructed views. Not only did PengFei perfect his seamless “face-changing” moves (Bian Lian), he also performed magic tricks such as linking rings and poker cards, etc. We were most impressed by his last segment in which he juggled multiple diabolos. This guy is truly a master of all tricks! The whole performance lasts about 45 minutes. No reservations required.

*Pengfei Su’s multi-faceted live performance*

The Silk Road show times were scheduled at 8:15pm as well as 10:30pm on Day 2 only. Ensure that you reserve your seats as soon as you came onboard the day before. After Pengfei Su’s performances, you can have a good 2-hour break to do whatever you want. For my group who are big eaters, and did not eat too much from the main dining (sit-down service) due to being a little pressed for time earlier, we continued to eat our dinner at Windjammer (deck 14) to try their dinner buffet spread this time round. For the Silk Road 10:30pm show, we suggest you begin queueing at the Two70 (deck 5) by 9:45pm because of the limited seats located around the stage periphery. The production also gives Royal Caribbean Class members priority seatings, therefore by the time we went in, the front rows were mostly taken up by them; we could only either choose to sit behind the railing (with some planter boxes blocking the recessed part of the stage) or the 2nd storey where the seats are further away with glass barricade blocking some views too. The Silk Road is an original live production by Royal Caribbean International. Prepare to be wowed by the stunning costumes and visuals made possible by the Two70 robotics set up, as well as the skilled acrobatics by the performers. The show duration is about 45 minutes. Reservations are necessary. Staff will be scanning your booking barcode from the Royal Caribbean phone app (details explained as you read on) in order to grant you entry.

*The Silk Road – an original Live Production by Royal Caribbean International*

Day 3 (Cruising) – Another magician Zlwin Chew takes the stage of the Royal Theatre on this day with two time slots 7:15pm and 9:30pm. Having had an activity-packed day, we decided to enjoy a longer dinner this time round and went for the 9:30pm slot. The crowd isn’t any lesser than PengFei Su’s 7:15pm show the day before, hence we conclude that the guests have no timing preferences. Zlwin performed a series of vanishing acts with his partner Paige, together with various tricks including cards, wine bottles, etc, in between. There were some mind-blowing segments in which he wowed the crowd with mentalism moments that you’ll get to experience first hand.

Day 4 (Penang – Singapore) – Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas really saved their biggest budget production for the last day! Showgirl! is another Royal Caribbean International original live production set to entertain you from start till end. It is only scheduled for 7:15pm and 9:30pm on the last evening of the cruise, held at the Royal Theatre (deck 4). With colourful costumes and lightings as well as strong vocals, the performers bring you a remarkable journey of showgirls and performing artistes from the past, present and future.

*Royal Caribbean Entertainment: Showgirl! Original Production*

Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas Cruise: Sports & Activities

Preparation prior to boarding

Once you’re booked for a trip, you’d be required to download the Royal Caribbean app and create an account. You’ll need to do an online check-in on the app (at least 48 hours prior to departure time) for a quicker boarding experience. You may also use the app to make show reservations and the planning of your cruise calendar; however this can only be done using their wi-fi onboard, as the app is designed to only work within the ship. So feel free to browse through the activities and entertainment options on the app in the meantime.

There are essentially a few steps to online checking-in:

Filling up of particulars and upload a photo of your face
Selecting your preferred arrival time (with options of half-hour intervals from 12noon onwards. The gate closes at 3:30pm, and we are required to complete check-in no later than 60 minutes before departure time).
Uploading an official Covid-19 vaccination proof (eg. vaccination card indicating the record of all 3 doses issued by MOH on the day you completed your booster shot)
Linking a credit card to your Royal Caribbean account
Completing a health questionnaire (1 day before departure)

Covid-19 Protocols
Next, you’ll need to start making an appointment for a rapid antigen test (ART) with any Quick Test Centres (QTCs) or Combined Test Centres (CTCs), or any other approved healthcare providers that offer Tele-ART or pre-departure testing. Be sure to book your appointment no earlier than 24 hours before your departure time. For eg, our departure was 5:30pm, therefore we had to do the test only after 5:30pm the day before. Your HealthHub app and TraceTogether app would be automatically updated of the ART result in a few minutes. A negative result is mandatory to be allowed for cruise boarding. [Update: As of 2023, pre-cruise Covid testing is no longer required.]

Check-In Procedures

You will be ushered by the customer service crew to follow the check-in queue guided by the queue belt barriers once you’ve arrived at Marina Bay Cruise Center (Address: 61 Marina Coastal Dr, Singapore 018947). Once your passports and online check-in details have been cleared, boarding passes will be processed and updated on your Royal Caribbean app. You will then be guided to the security scanning machine for your luggage scan. You are allowed to carry-on two 750ml champagnes or wines onboard for each stateroom. Please note that any bottles more than this permissible alcohol limit will be seized and stored by the ship before returning them to you on the last day onboard once the ship returns to Singapore waters. Any other alcoholic beverages including but not limited to spirits, beers, hard liquor, etc, will be confiscated for good.

Next, you will go through a segregation of queues according to non-stop and stopovers at the port-of-calls of Penang or Klang. The necessary documentations (pre-departure form, visa, etc) will have to be prepared beforehand as they will be checked at this point. Failure to do so will deny you from disembarking at Malaysia ports.

You will then be required to go to your waiting areas according to your respective muster stations as stated on your boarding pass (for eg, C3). Shortly after that you can board the Spectrum of the Seas! The staff members will be collecting your passports at the ship’s entry gates, and will be returning them to you on the day before you disembark. An announcement will be made for your respective muster groups for the location and time for the passport collections within the ship.

BOOK NOW with CTC Travel | Royal Caribbean Spectrum of The Seas | 3N Penang Cruise for 2Pax

*Sailing dates: 1st May 2023 | 29th May 2023 | 5th June 2023 | 4th Dec 2023 | 16th Dec 2023*

Jul
13

By The Singapore Guide

Arcade Games in Singapore

Category: Stuff To Do in Singapore Tags: arcade game machines Singapore, arcade games Singapore, arcade machines Singapore, arcades in Singapore, best arcade in Singapore, gaming centres Singapore

There are still many arcade games in Singapore that you can indulge during your leisure time even though the scale of which the arcade gaming centres are seen sprawling here seems nothing compared to those multi-level amusement and entertainment centres in Japan, Korea and China, there are several physical gaming sites around Singapore that are entertaining enough to feed your gaming addiction or simply to pass your time.

The biggest chain of game arcades in Singapore can be seen occupying high-traffic areas of shopping malls. The better known gaming arcades are Virtualand, Zone X, The Star Factory and Timezone. Then there are integrated recreational centres that not only have a section dedicated to game machines, but other leisure facilities for sports play and relaxation, such as bowling alleys, billiard, pool and snooker salons like Super Funworld (arcade games section) better known for its location at downtown Marina Square shopping mall.

Arcade Game Machines

The arcade game machines come in a wide variety from adrenalizing ones to just leisurely fun ones. The machine that is most talked about of late is a fishing game that is loved by all ages. This machine features physical fishing rods that allow the players to hook and catch the ‘fishes’ with virtual fishing lines. The sense of the whole fishing game experience gets so real and addictive due to the actual vibrations one could feel from the fishing rod when the fish got caught and struggles. The thrill adds on when the players compete against one another to catch the most number of fishes.

Apart from the usual car racing, zombie-shooting, basketball and dancing machine games, there are also movie themed arcade gaming machines such as the Jurassic Park and Star Wars simulated battle rides that you don’t need to go all the way to the Universal Studios for.

For a less stressful but equally fulfilling experience, you may gather a friend or two to take some cute sticker snapshots at one of those fancy Japanese-style photo booths to mark a day of fun together.

Jul
10

By The Singapore Guide

Work from Home to Sustain a Living in Singapore: The Advantages

Category: Home Based Jobs in Singapore Tags: part time jobs, part time jobs in singapore, part time jobs singapore, sahm jobs, sahm singapore, wahm, work from home singapore, working from home singapore

People are often attracted by the whole idea of being our own boss or simply being able to work from home. With an increased demand, there are more part-time and/or home-based jobs available now in Singapore, but what exactly is the reason for such high demand for working from home? It isn’t hard to know why. Singapore, as developed as it is, is a stressful city even for the above-average income earners. This sandwich group mostly comprises the corporate blue-collars who struggle on a day-to-day basis earning a monthly income only to find that their liabilities are equally if not more than what they can bring back.

Is this life as we know it? Do you call travelling to your office everyday to make OTHERS rich a life that you want? Can you sustain your own living by having a job through working for others? Let’s dwell deeper into why having a job is far from good.

Advantages of Home Based Jobs in Singapore

Work-Life Balance

Surveys have shown that 9 in 10 employees in Singapore work overtime due to overwhelming workloads and unreasonable deadlines, some even have to bring their work back home, this has therefore affected their lifestyle and reduced the time for family, friends and other commitments. Many employees in Singapore are not able to achieve such work-life balance due to the long working hours in the office or at the workplace.

To be able to work from home, working mothers get to spend more time with their children and beloved pet while working, others can decide on and manage their own time and accommodate other tasks that need to be accomplished, improving their quality of life and well-being.

Saves Time

Even though Singapore’s public transport system is ranked one of the best in the world, the crowd during peak hours can be rather unbearable and time-consuming.

Employees may choose to either spend more to take taxi to reach the workplace on time (but risk getting caught in a jam) or to wake up earlier in the morning for the public transports (but risk getting caught in an over-crowded train).

If you work from home, employees can save time on travelling, and thankfully, the process of squeezing with the overwhelming crowd and wasting time on traffic jams on a daily basis.

Saves Money

There are many aspects of a homebased job that you can save costs on. Because you work from home, you do not need to pay for the rental expenses for an office space and office utility bills for water and electricity. And because you are a Solopreneur, you do not need to incur staff hiring expenses and these include salaries, bonuses, employer’s CPF and reimbursements for transportation, mobile phone and medical bills, etc.

You also save money on shopping expenses on apparels and lifestyle items meant to upkeep your corporate image or lifestyle due to peer or society pressure. When you work from home, quite frankly, a T-shirt and a pair of shorts is enough to call it your office attire.

Increased Productivity

Believe it or not, working from home can potentially be a few times more productive than if you were to work in a corporate environment. It is easy to comprehend this since you are in control of creating a conducive environment for work at home so that you can be fully focused at work. In a big office for example, you have bosses to report to, meetings to attend, colleagues to discuss work matters and socialize with, etc. Sometimes, the work cubicles can be so close to each other you can be distracted by the phone conversations made by the co-workers around you.

And because you are self-employed and you work for yourself, you get to have full control over your time management at work, i.e. you schedule your own meetings, you decide when to take coffee breaks and when to call it a rest day! In return, you inculcate self-driven motivation and achieve optimal efficiency at work, and all these lead to increased work productivity and results.

The Mother of Life – Freedom!

Let’s be real. So long as you are obligated to report to your workplace almost everyday whether it is rain or shine, you are not a free man. What happens if one day you can no longer contribute to the company the way it expects you to? Or what if they simply have to let you go in a headcount-cutting exercise? Sure, you can always get out from one rat race to enter another. But what if no races want you? Or that you come to a point where you can no longer compete in the race?

The above are not hypothetical; these are real issues many Singaporeans are facing and struggling with. Do you have what it takes then to sustain a living in a costly city like Singapore on your own? Do you have specialized skills that enable you to set up a niche business and profit from it? The costs of living will only be going up no matter what you situation is. Unfortunately, your ability to earn money isn’t the case. Therefore, without a job is like without a lifebuoy to keep you afloat in the open sea. You can tread in the water to stay afloat, but once you are exhausted, it is time to drown and die.

A life of freedom is when you:

Have flexibility and control – you get to decide when to wake up each day, when to work and when to simply go on a holiday without ever having to ask your boss for approval.
Spend time with only people you choose to spend time with – no more socializing with annoying bosses and work competitors.
The ease of scaling down the business when necessary

And the list goes on.

There are many types of home-based jobs from a wide range of industries. Ranging from internet/online retailing, to even providing services such as yoga teaching or tutoring right from the comfort of your home, and even food and beverages business these days can be operated without a brick-and-mortar shop .

If you still have misgivings about making money online from a home based jobs, let those who are already successfully doing it show you the ropes. It may not just sustain your living but enable you to make more money than what you’re already earning from your current job. Simply fill in the form on the right to register for a free briefing session today.

Feb
5

By The Singapore Guide

Foreign Domestic Workers Salary

Category: Foreign Domestic Workers Singapore Tags: domestic helper salary, domestic worker salary, foreign domestic helpers, foreign domestic workers

Foreign Domestic Workers Minimum Wages To Be Reviewed

The salaries (wages) of foreign domestic workers in Singapore from the Philippines and Indonesia will soon be reviewed in February 2015. This is due to the likelihood of a 20% lower quota imposed on the number of maids coming to Singapore by the Philippines government, as well as the Indonesia government’s effort in raising the monthly salaries of Indonesian maids to be at least S$500 compared to S$450 a month previously.

Currently the number of domestic workers in Singapore is estimated to be comprising 70,000 Filipinos and 125,000 Indonesians.

Singapore Foreign Domestic Workers Agency May Face Restrictions

Singapore maids agencies may face ban by the Indonesian government from hiring foreign domestic workers if their wages fall below S$500 monthly. The Indonesian government is also rolling out a new policy to bring down the fees paid to maid agencies by the domestic workers when they get jobs from their recruiting agents.

These measures are likely to drive up the costs of hiring foreign domestic helpers in Singapore because the demand for maids in Singapore households is constantly high. The current fee a Singapore employer pays the agency to hire a domestic worker can be as high as S$2,000.

Sep
17

By The Singapore Guide

Pop Art, Abstract Art, Chinese & Famous Oil Canvas Paintings Singapore Guide

Category: Buy Paintings Singapore Tags: abstract paintings, acrylic paintings, andy warhol paintings, art paintings, canvas paintings, Chinese paintings, claude monet paintings, dali paintings, famous paintings, flower paintings, indian paintings, jackson pollock paintings, landscape paintings, last supper paintings, madhubani paintings, matisse paintings, michelangelo paintings, monet paintings, norman rockwell paintings, pablo picasso paintings, paul klee paintings, picasso paintings, portrait paintings, ravi varma paintings, rembrandt paintings, renoir paintings, salvador dali paintings, vincent van gogh paintings

We work with teams of artists in producing various oil paintings on canvas of different genres and art styles for our customers in Singapore. Unlike digital prints and photos, our art pieces are all hand-crafted by experienced artists who painstakingly paint every one of the master pieces by hand to give customers not only unparalleled texture and feel but also the refractive visual appreciation.

Buy Affordable Paintings in Singapore: Canvas Artwork in various Art Styles

The value of art is after all, worthy of its weight in gold and the price of art is not always affordable by and large. With our affordable oil painting prices, customers can now own budget-friendly art paintings in their homes, and hotels, offices and hospitals can now order in bulk in decorating their rooms without having to set aside hefty budgets for adornments alone. Canvas paintings and artworks can also be part of interior design renovation packages.

Pop Art Paintings

Pop art culture evolved in the 1950s. Unlike traditional art, pop art paintings are modern pieces that are usually driven by popular cult favourites of icons, fashion, notable figures, comics and even advertisements. They are usually made up of clear forms with visible strokes of silhouettes and as the name of the art style aptly suggests, the subject of pop art paintings often deliver ‘pops’ of colors and there is never a dull moment with them displaying in your room.

Abstract Art Paintings

Abstract art paintings are one the most popular art styles due to their illusionary effects of visual forms and perspectives. It is the absence of clear definitions and the obscurity of the subjects that people find alluring in an artsy way.

Art Deco Paintings

Art deco style of paintings developed from the 1920s through 1940s when art embodies industrialization and technology. They mostly involve figures, motifs and geometric forms with bolder colors and stronger contrast in hues. Because of this eclecticism, art deco paintings are popular with entertainment establishments such as lounges, restaurants or bars.

Contemporary Art Paintings

Contemporary art paintings are for those who love living with the present time. They are not so much of a particular art style but rather, they involve imagery and subjects that are current in time. Contemporary art covers a wide variety of subjects; from scenes to animals to portraits to flowers, etc. They can be abstract or non-abstract. They are however characterized by modern themes.

Modern Art Paintings

Modern art paintings are often confused with contemporary art paintings as most relate modern art with present times. In modern art, the artworks were first produced in the era of the 1860s and lasted through almost a century. As modern art proliferated from experimentation with new perspectives, abstractism is often seen.

Chinese Paintings

Chinese Paintings make very elegant pieces even in contemporary designed interiors. Chinese paintings can be in the form of calligraphy or landscape paintings or both in very refined brushstrokes. Our artists are trained in natural landscape drawings comprising hillsides, paddy fields, waterfalls, riverbanks, willow trees, bamboo plantations, pagodas, sparrows, peonies and more. They are generally more relaxing to look at as they involve the viewer with nature and serenity.

Famous Oil Paintings

The artists also do reproductions of oil paintings by famous artists and painters such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Claude Monet, Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, etc.

Custom Paintings of different Art Subjects

We also do customized artwork for customers who prefer unique art pieces or personal portraits to have their special moments captured or as personal collection.

Simply send us a photo or a picture for reference and we can paint those for you.

Still Life Drawings, Landscape, Portrait, Flower Paintings Ready Stock

Ex-stock of still life drawings, landscape paintings, portraits, flower paintings, etc are all available for sale.

So Where to Buy Paintings in Singapore?

Let us guide you. Contact us now using the form on the right for more details.

Jul
31

By The Singapore Guide

Affordable French Restaurant in Singapore | Poulet Singapore

Category: French Restaurants Singapore Tags: french bistro singapore, french restaurant singapore, poulet, singapore french restaurant

With a façade simulating Paris’s iconic Eiffel Tower beckoning you from afar, it is hard not to notice Poulet, a classy, yet contemporary French restaurant that is a gem to have these days amidst the usual French fine dining you will only occasionally indulge, without burning a hole in the pocket. Brought to you by The Minor Food Group, the same people who own Thai Express, Poulet has cleverly positioned itself to be a modern and casual dining place that offers pocket-friendly French classic dishes to the mass in Singapore.

On the Poulet Menu

We like the idea of the menus in longish hardcovers with the Eiffel Tower on it and that the Poulet staff made effort to position all standing upright on every table, so you could see an Eiffel Tower pool across. But we are not the slightest bit disturbed by an Eiffel too many.The menu is pretty much self-explanatory on every leaf, and the range is rather well covered; the entrees, soups, salads, sides, sandwiches, pissaladieres (French pastries), mains, beverages, desserts, etc., are clearly laid out. Don’t worry, the menu is unlike a French storybook some restaurants have as if we needed to learn French before we can eat.

Poulet Rotisserie Chicken: Signature Roast Chicken

We ordered their signature Poulet Rotisserie Chicken (Chicken Roti – not the roti bread ok!), for half portion at S$15.90 because, honestly, who wouldn’t want to try traditional mushroom sauce with Chardonnay? The matter of wine sauce with chicken per se cuts you back on wine money to pair with the white meat (cheap thrill, but you’ll thank me later). The roast chicken meat is really tender, to say the least. The sauce is, in our opinion, O-to-the-M-to-the-G. Mushroom-earthiness meets the kind of exquisite white wine sauce usually made for steamed mussels. Even the back of my skull could sense it and agreed with that equation.

We also had Salad de Paris (priced at S$9.90) which is really delicious. The salad was well tossed in french vinaigrette dressing; if the pine nuts were more roasted and the tomatoes were to be sun-dried instead of fresh, it’ll be ridiculously awesome. In our personal spin of this dish, we’d like that charred oakiness from roasted/ toasted nuts and that tangy sweetness from sundried tomatoes to tie in with the dried cranberries so the sweetness from the cranberries wouldn’t be too isolated.

We also highly recommend the Smoked Duck Salad (S$13.90) and to finish off your meal with a nice dessert like the Crème Brulee (S$8.90) for a sweet note in making your day.

French Bistro Casual Dining

There is really nothing to complain about Poulet. This French Bistro has a setting that is relaxing, yet classy, and a casual, yet neat theme. Romantic street lamps mimicking Parisian sidewalks and reasonably plush seats put you in the French mood, almost.The prices are not overboard and food portions are decent. You don’t need restrictive dress code or to be particularly uptight about keeping your kids’ movements and voices down, because it is that family-friendly.

Poulet has several outlets around Singapore:

Bedok Mall

311 New Upper Changi Road
#B2-31/32
Singapore 467360
Tel: (+65) 6844 9421

Bugis+

201 Victoria Street
#04-12
Singapore 188067
Tel: (+65) 6509 9411

Chinatown Point

133 New Bridge Road
Level 2
Singapore 059413
Tel: (+65) 6538 3595

Great World City

1 Kim Seng Promenade
#02-K2/K3
Singapore 237994
Tel: (+65) 6733 4395

Jurong Point

1 Jurong West Central 2
#B1-57/58/59
Singapore 648331
Tel: (+65) 6861 0217

Kallang Wave @ Sports Hub

Opening soon
1 Stadium Place
#01-17 Kallang Wave
Singapore 397628
Tel: (+65) 6702 7342

Raffles City Shopping Centre

252 North Bridge Road
#B1-65/66
Singapore 179103
Tel: (+65) 6336 3119

Vivocity

HarbourFront Walk
#01-175/176/177
Singapore 098585
Tel: (+65) 6376 9087

Westgate

3 Gateway Drive
#01-07 Westgate
Singapore 608532
Tel: 6369 9465

Apr
25

By The Singapore Guide

Orchard Gateway Opening

Category: Where To Shop in Singapore Tags: new shopping mall in Singapore, new shopping mall Singapore, orchard gateway, orchard gateway hotel, orchard gateway opening, orchard gateway shopping centre, orchard gateway Singapore, orchard gateway tenants, orchard road malls, traders

Orchard Gateway’s Opening in Singapore

Orchard Gateway, one of the much awaited new Orchard Road malls in Singapore, has finally opened its main retail wing on 12 May 2014, Monday. The official launch was reported to be slated for the fourth quarter of 2014. This retail mall is developed by United Engineers Developments, and is co-owned by both United Engineers Development and Great Eastern Holdings. This newest Orchard Road retail shopping centre to date is sitting on the sites of the old Phoenix Hotel and Specialists’ Centre on one block, while the other block occupies the site of the former Orchard Emerald.

New Orchard Road Malls: Orchard Gateway & Orchard Gateway@Emerald

Orchard Gateway comprises of two retail blocks situated across each other and are linked by a pedestrian glass link bridge for inter-accessibility.

277 Orchard Road

The larger and taller block towers at 21 storeys (main retail wing), of which six levels are retail floors spanning an area of 20,800 square metre of retail space, includes multi-storey car park spaces (278 lots), and is completed with an annexed 500-room hotel facility (Traders Orchard Gateway Hotel).

218 Orchard Road

The smaller building, called Orchard Gateway @ Emerald, comprising 7 retail floors of the 22 storeys built, makes up 2,700 square metre of retail space while the rest of the space (3,500 sqm) is for office use. Orchard Gateway@Emerald, the smaller of the 2 blocks, is slated to open in October 2014. The new Singapore Visitors Centre, a 2-storey conservation shop-house building, is joint to this block. Both buildings are linked directly via underground passes to Somerset MRT station at basement levels.

Iconic Overhead Bridge

The iconic glass overhead link bridge, aptly named “Orchard Gateway”, spans 53 metres long across the main Orchard Road and is reportedly able to withstand the weight of 900 people at any one time. The tubular steel framed structure that is glass cladded is designed by Kenzo Tange Associates, the same Japanese architectural firm that designed our One Raffles Place (former OUB Centre). The glass link bridge also provides connection from Orchard Gateway to the shopping malls next to it, 313@somerset and Orchard Central.

Tenants onboard Orchard Gateway

More than 90 retail stores and food & beverage outlets make up Orchard Gateway’s tenants onboard its 180,000 square feet of retail space, offering an array of exciting products and services in complimenting not only retail offerings but the cityscape as well.Expect multi-label stores such as i.t from Hong Kong and our local Sects Shop that sells Singapore street fashion labels like Not Cool Enough and Antidepressant as well as various cult labels from Korea, Japan and Bangkok. A hybrid-concept store housing a swanky salon amongst edgy clothing Superspace has also made its presence here.

American lifestyle and home furnishing chain store Crate and Barrel will be Orchard Gateway’s anchor tenant.

Library@Orchard

Orchard Gateway also boasts a brand new library known as library@orchard to the liking of book lovers, students or young Singaporeans who simply want some quiet reading time or enjoyment of music at the dedicated music booths amidst the glitzy shopping belt. Library@Orchard is due to open on in October 2014, the same time as Orchardgateway@Emerald.

Orchard Gateway Hotel

The Orchard Gateway Hotel, known by the hotel brand name as Traders Orchardgateway Hotel, offers 500 guestrooms on the 10^th to 20^th storeys of Orchard Gateway shopping centre. Featuring 159 superior rooms, 286 superior rooms with city views, 37 deluxe rooms, and 20 premier ‘panaroma’ rooms, Traders Orchardgateway Hotel also provides an exclusive club area known as the Trader’s Club on the 19^th floor that offers panoramic views of Orchard Road. The Trader’s Club is complete with a fitness center, private cabanas and an infinity pool. The hotel also offers business amenities and facilities such as meeting and function rooms that are designed to suit a variety of formal and casual occasions.

Mar
25

By The Singapore Guide

Singapore Transfer Maids

Category: Foreign Domestic Workers Singapore Tags: indian transfer maid Singapore, Indonesian maid for transfer, maids for transfer, Singapore, transfer maid, transfer maids, transfer maids available, transfer maids Singapore

Transfer maids in Singapore is getting increasingly common in view of the rising number of maids, or foreign domestic workers as some call them, who pre-terminate their 2-year contracts with their employers before the contracts expire. This also applies to employers who no longer require the helpers’ services. Statistics released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) showed that about 60% of maids placed by the agents changed their employers less than one year into the job.

Employers can opt for transferring of maids in Singapore and domestic workers can also request for change of employers, with or without going through maid agencies.

Procedure of Transfer of Maid

Employers can arrange for direct transfer of maids without engaging an agent. If there is interest from another employer looking to hire a foreign domestic helper, the current employer can arrange with the prospective employer to interview the maid, as well as share and provide information on the maid’s work history and track record.

Both the current employer and the prospective new employer has to jointly apply for the change of employer to the MOM for the approval of maid transfer.

Taking Over a Foreign Domestic Worker

Filling in the Work Permit Application Form to Transfer Foreign Domestic Worker

If you are taking over a Foreign Domestic Worker from the current employer, you should obtain the consent of the current employer by filling in part 5 of the Work Permit application form “Current Employer’s Consent to Transfer Foreign Domestic Worker to Prospective Employer”. This section must be endorsed by both the new employer and the current employer.

Submission of New Work Permit Application & Sending the Foreign Domestic Worker for Updated Medical Examination

You should also submit a new Work Permit Application for the maid via WP Online of the MOM website, and make sure that the domestic worker’s health examination is done if it is due. The maid has to be sent for medical examination on a 6-monthly basis.

Buying of Foreign Maid’s Insurance & Security Bond

This is followed by the buying of foreign maid’s insurance (personal accident insurance & medical insurance) as well as the government security bond against repatriation expenses for the maid.

The commencement of the Foreign Domestic Worker’s duties is effective as soon as the new Work Permit is obtained.

Current Employer’s responsibilities (prior to handing over of the Foreign Domestic Worker)

Payment of Maid’s Levy

The current employer’s responsibility of paying for the maid’s levy will only be ceased upon the issuance of the foreign domestic worker’s new Work Permit.

Ensures validity of the Foreign Domestic Worker’s Medical Examination Record

During the interim when the maid is still under her current employment, the current employer has to ensure that the 6-monthly medical examination record remains valid. If the next health examination is due to expire before the issuance of the new work permit, the current employer will still be required to send the maid for the medical screening.

Notification of the Maid Transfer

An In-Principle-Approval (IPA) letter will be sent to both the current and new employers, informing both parties of the effective transfer date (usually 7 days after the date of approval).

Change in Maid Transfer Date

The transfer date can be changed to a later date amicably agreed by both parties. If the date is postponed to more than 7 days from the original transfer date, a letter indicating both the request for a change in transfer date by the new employer and a letter indicating consent to the new transfer date by the current employer has to be submitted by fax to the MOM Work Pass Division, before the request of the new work permit of the maid by the new employer can ensue.

Advantages of Transfer Maids

You do not have to go through a domestic helper agency if you are hiring one directly via a maid transfer. You may search for foreign domestic workers available for direct transfer on websites, advertisements or even online forums.

Where direct maids transfers are concerned, there is no need to pay the domestic helper agency any transfer fee whether or not you are looking to transfer your domestic helper or to hire one. Some agencies recoup placement fees from the domestic workers themselves, hence direct maid transfers also benefit the domestic workers in assuring them of employment continuity and no loss of income for them.

The fee for transfer maids vary from case to case; it can range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000. The transfer maid fees are used to cover paperwork expenses of the maid transfer such as work permit applications, travelling arrangement, insurances, bonds, medical check-ups, etc. Hence you can save some money if you opt for transfer maids over new ones as going through the procedure personally will incur much lower costs.

Maid transfers also save the employers the expenses for buying air tickets for the repatriation of the maid.

Transfer maids also mean that the agencies need not spend time and effort in travelling to other countries to source for new domestic workers, interviewing or screening them for their bio data and experiences. For customers who would rather save the hassle of going through the maid transfer procedure themselves, the agencies will just need to arrange for transfer maids who are already in Singapore for them.

Jul
14

By The Singapore Guide

Singapore Food Festival 2012

Category: Uncategorized

The Singapore Food Festival 2012 is here again! Food lovers out there, starting from 14 July Saturday, head down to the Waterfront Promenade near Marina Bay Sands (behind the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands) to have yourselves a yummy seafood fiesta! The annual event had its opening on 14 July 2012, and had since drawn a 40,000 crowd. It will span over 9 days, ending on the 22nd July 2012. Featuring over 50 stalls, you get to taste from a myraid of local dishes including oyster omelette & chilli crabs, as well as international cuisines such as urchin-mago cheese mouse, squid ink meringe. There is also a spectacular highlight to this event – a Food Village that has a seating capacity of 1,500, and also a feature known as the Tiffin Cruise, where you are able to eat your food in tiffin carriers as you cruise along the Singapore River. Singapore Food Festival is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board.

Jul
5

By The Singapore Guide

Furniture Shopping in Singapore

Category: Furniture Shopping in Singapore, Where To Shop in Singapore Tags: Furniture, Scotts Square, Shopping, Tanglin Mall, Where to Shop in Singapore

Tanglin Mall

Tanglin Mall is known by many for its selective tenants offering good quality merchandise and restaurants, and is very popular with the expatriates in Singapore. When it comes to furniture shopping in Singapore, many expatriates appreciate the furniture retailers here, even if there are just a handful of them. Here are the 2 furniture & furnishing retailers you can consider dropping by at Tanglin Mall: iwannagohome! and Tatty Marsh.

“Modern State-of-Art”

iwannagohome!

Add: 163 Tanglin Road, #02-19A/20, Tanglin Mall, Singapore 247933

Iwannagohome is owned by Gill Capital Singapore, the same company who owns and runs famous chocolate, candy & popcorn chains Hershey’s, Candy Empire & Garret’s Popcorn. Selling only designer pieces, iwannagohome offers not just furniture but all other household adornments that make your homes complete, including accessories, artifacts, glassware, kitchenware so on and forth right down to candle holders and tea sets. The range of furniture comprises modern art forms, state-of-art designs & plush qualities but never dull.

“All Things England”

Tatty Marsh Singapore

Add: 163 Tanglin Road, #02-38, Tanglin Mall, Singapore 247933

Tatty Marsh was home to Tanglin Mall only in 2010 and had since drawn its fair share of followers, largely because it is the only official store selling home furnishings, household items, pottery, fabrics, bags & fashion by Cath Kidston, Susie Watson & Emma Bridgewaters, whose designs are known for their extreme feminism, pretty floral patterns and all things England, much to the liking of many Singaporean women. Before Tatty Marsh set foot in Singapore, fans of this British designers could only purchase their products online, often having to pay much more due to shipping charges.

At Tatty Marsh Singapore, you can expect to be mesmerized by the pretty country style kitchen counters, buffet tables, aprons, clocks, candles, porcelains, cushions, glassware, canisters and even tents, you name it. This shop just has a way to make you feel like you want to be a homemaker.

“Brand new Gem in a Brand new Mall”

Gilt & Folly Singapore

Add: 6 Scotts Road, #03-07, Scotts Square, Singapore 228209

Scotts Square, Singapore

Scotts Square was opened in 2011, and is the newest shopping mall in prime Orchard Road area in Singapore. Though not even close to half as big as its neighbours, Scotts Square houses severval fashion giants such as Hermes, Pierre Balmain, Michael Kors, Paul & Joe, etc. Two furniture jewels are also hidden in there: Poltrana Frau and Gilt & Folly.

Gilt & Folly made their debut home and furnishing collection at Scotts Square, showcasing furniture range inspired by human forms, exotic elements, organism and art. The pieces take interesting shapes of art forms, yet fully associated and distinct. The designs are closely knitted with every day’s horse sense; it is hard not to find a piece that suits your home.