Essential Android apps in Singapore

Owning an android as my primary phone, I share with you my choice of some of the best apps everyone in should have installed in their phones.
The criteria chosen for this list is that all apps must be suitable for the majority of people and made-tailored for Singaporean market.

7 wacky things in Singapore

Which country doesn't have its own quirks? Find out the funny and absurd things in Singapore here.

1. Hot coffee in a bag

Coffee in a plastic bag

This is one item I always use to bemuse my friends visiting Singapore. Order a hot takeaway morning coffee and be amazed. The coffee more often than not will be poured onto a plastic bag! With a straw! Have you ever tried sipping boiling water from a straw? You can try your luck and I'd like to hear the result. However this has been a common practice and people are completely oblivious about its absurdity.

How to correctly flag a taxi

Taxi are a popular form of public transport in the compact city state of Singapore, with fares considered relatively low compared to those in most cities in developed countries. However you may find taxi system in Singapore is slightly different from most of other countries, find out more!

Here are a few interesting facts about taking a taxi in Singapore:

• You have to wait up to 30 minutes in a ridiculous queue for your turn in taxi stands, especially during peak hours, bad weather conditions and close to midnight time.
• You can't flag a taxi wherever you want, only in designated areas.
• Standard cabs never pick up more than 4 adult passengers on principle.
• It is sometimes cheaper to flag a cab than riding buses/MRT if you travel with more than 3 people.

Guide-to: Buses

Bus transport in Singapore is the most comprehensive and affordable means of public transport for the masses, with over two million rides taken per day on average on the buses of the two main public transport providers SBS Transit and SMRT Corporation. There are more than 300 bus services covering all parts of Singapore.

Guide-to: MRT or Mass Rapid Transit

The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is the main backbone of Singapore's transit system. They are a cheap and very reliable mode of transportation, and the network covers most points of interest for the visitor. All train lines use contactless RFID tickets. Just tap to scan your train ticket at the gantry when entering and exiting the train service area. Single-trip tickets cost from $1 to $2.5 plus a $1 refundable deposit, just insert your used ticket into the ticketing machine to get your dollar back. EZ-link farecards are the easiest and most popular ways to use the MRT. All lines are seamlessly integrated, even if the lines are operated by different transport companies, so you do not need to buy a new ticket to transfer.

Singapore Public Transport

Singapore has one of the best system of public transport in the world. You can get around virtually anywhere Singapore with just a few buses and subway rides.

Head after the break to see the tourist guide and local tips of getting around the island.

Facts and numbers

A few facts and numbers worth knowing while staying in Singapore:

• Country name: Republic of Singapore
• Capital: Singapore
• Location: An island and islets in the heart of Southeast Asia, between Malaysia and Indonesia
• Area: 710.3 sq km
• Highest point: Bukit Timah Hill at 163.36m

What is Singapore?

Downtown Singapore at dusk from 71st floor of Equinox bar

Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia. Founded as a British trading colony in 1819, since independence it has become one of the world's most prosperous countries and sports the world's busiest port. Combining the skyscrapers and subways of a modern, affluent city with a medley of Chinese, Malay and Indian influences and a tropical climate, with tasty food, good shopping and a vibrant nightlife scene, this Garden City makes a great stopover or springboard into the region.