My First Time in Singapore - Jewel Changi, Chinatown, & Capsule Hotel

[@TravelWithNala]

The warm welcome I've received from Singapore, both IRL and in the comments has been second to none!! You guys are amazing!

[@caryhuynh88]

I love Singapore. The people are so nice and friendly .

[@TravelWithNala]

Been having a great time so far!

[@Florenceeeeisnr]

The public transport is great when grab gets pretty expensive here! The train and buses here are budget friendly and the preferred transportation for locals:) You can tap in with credit/debit cards easily.

[@TravelWithNala]

Oh yeah that part is super awesome. You don’t even need a transit card or anything just tap credit card. Super great system

[@mieulium]

I held my breath whenever you missed the cheaper options in Chinatown 😅 the market was a hawker + dry goods + wet market building, one category per floor. The market areas closes by night, but the hawker area (second floor) closes late

[@TravelWithNala]

Ah shoot! Didn’t check the other floors I just assumed the whole building was closed

[@mingzmings88]

its really nutting... stope ur silliness sinkie..

[@linok7317]

Your 1st meal in Singapore - beef + 2 bowls of rice + a $5.80 drink... U had entered a tourist attraction restaurant.... Cost you $33 - that's very expensive. If you go to hawker centre or food court to eat, no need to pay 10% service charge and 9% gst. If you eat at hawker centre where majority of the locals eat, so so much cheaper... I feel heartache for your expensive dinner.

[@RichNa02]

Awesome came at the perfect time as I am leaving for Singapore on Sunday 😀😀

[@TravelWithNala]

Cool good timing!

[@RaymondChia_Silaqui]

Welcome to Singapore. The 3 most expensive things in SG are: 1. Smoking: Cigs are expensive and Vapes are not allowed. You can be arrested if it is found on you. 2. Alcohol: Similar to Smokes, Alcohol is also heavily taxed in SG. 3. Cars: May not directly affect you, but it would also mean Taxis and Private Hire are also expensive. Luck for us, the public transport network is pretty extensive. As for food, drop by any of the our UNESCO recognized Hawker Centers. These are government runed open air establishments where each stall serves 1 type of food. Next you have Kopitiam or coffeeshops, these are not cafes but privately owned food establishments found typically under HDB Blocks. Lastly we have food courts, these are found in shopping malls the most expensive among the 3 but the main draw is the A/C.

[@TravelWithNala]

wow lots of great info here! Thanks for the info and thanks for the welcome!

[@geniegal78]

​@@TravelWithNala we also have the Singapore Botanic Gardens which is on the UNESCO's World Heritage list. 😊

[@GeneGene-rr2xt]

Welcome to Singapore. Enjoy your stay,

[@TravelWithNala]

Thanks! Might be one of my favorite countries. I could see myself living here

Hi, we've many local Singapore food. Just need to go eat at our hawker center and local coffeeshop. The food is cheap and good. A decent meal at hawker center will cost less about $6, and a cup of local coffee will be less than $1.50. Most tourists will eat at Lau Pa Sat, but not for us Singaporean. Better food at Hong Lim/Maxwell Hawker certer near where you are staying. 😅 Enjoy your here!

[@TravelWithNala]

I learned about Peranakan food. Excited to check that out. Kopi C is now my new favorite coffee in the world

[@entrydenied]

⁠@@TravelWithNalaYeah even if the dishes take inspiration from all over the world, a lot of the local dishes have been around for 50 to over 100 years. So a lot of dishes may have the same names as they do with Malaysian food the taste will be different after decades of changes. So I'm not sure why someone would tell you that Singapore doesn't have their own food. So just go try whatever look pleasing and appetising. If you can venture beyond the central area and go to hawker centres that are in HDB estates.

[@koffijelly70]

I Love Singapore! One of my faves in SE Asia.Hope you're enjoying your time. 😊

[@TravelWithNala]

Might be one of my favorite countries in the world so far in my short time here

[@koffijelly70]

@@TravelWithNala Yay to that! and to me there's always something new whenever I come back. I get to experience watching big concerts, too. Amazed! 😊

[@TemplarLove]

Thanks for visiting my country. I just came back from Korea today and glad that I came across your video showing us the Mangwon market, had a wonderful experience and my family loves it so we went there twice in our trip. 😃

[@TravelWithNala]

Oh awesome! That videos was from so long ago but I’m glad it was able to help you out! Loving Singapore so far

[@ARios-up1dc]

Another great video! Your dinner looks so good! Looking forward to see more of your Singapore trip! Thanks again for sharing!

[@TravelWithNala]

Thanks! It was actually super delicious. My friends told me this is a foodie country

[@sampark1366]

Love Singapore, food is amazing and the country is immaculate. Hope you had an amazing time!!

[@TravelWithNala]

Great time so far

[@matthewong1953]

David, use the subway/metro...it is way cheaper than Grab...like a 2 to 3 station ride cost about $1.50 to $ 2 (that's singapore dollars). And eat at Hawker Centers. There are two types of hawker centers...open air ones and air con ones. The non air con food courts cost between $4.50 to $6 per meal (with a soft drink). The air conditioned food courts (normally found in the malls) cost about $1 to $2.50 more

[@TravelWithNala]

the subway system is awesome here

[@lauras.the.traveler20_]

🎉 You made it to Singapore!! Yess take all the public transport, with google maps it’s so easy and cheap I stayed at Yotel Orchard Road, which the price vs location is probably the best, mind you I did research Singapore for 3 yrs before I could go.. THANKS COVID

[@TravelWithNala]

Haha I should’ve done some research. I kind of just showed up.

[@loris3292]

Apparently last year, Singapore and Zurich were rated the most expensive cities. Today I learned that that Singapore is a city & a country- I only considered it to be a country. Looks like a fun place to visit!

[@TravelWithNala]

Yeah, it’s pretty expensive here for sure

[@luminus4836]

​@@TravelWithNalalm from France staying in Sg,eat at the foodcourt much cheaper.

[@kamariahabdrahim6963]

​@@luminus4836 Singaporeans have been telling them but some choose to eat at the restaurant or cafe and then complain about the prices.

[@emilyl1094]

@@kamariahabdrahim6963 Yes, I had been watching some of these travel blogs in Singapore and these tourists had been eating at cafe, restaurants and such coffee places and kept saying their beverages and meals were very expensive. They hardly went to eat at the hawker centres or foodcourts which are cheaper than restaurants too.

[@cwtan76]

GST is sales tax... 10% is like the equivalent of tipping since we don't tip in Singapore. :) Try the hawker center in the Chinatown complex... First floor where you were is shops, but the food stores are on the 2nd floor. And yes the pork jerky at the end is DELICIOUS! Don't get the prepackaged ones though. I think the freshly grilled ones taste better!

[@TravelWithNala]

Ah so no tip but mandatory tip 😝. I do prefer the dine in tax though it’s clear and upfront. Makes sense to pay a little extra for dining in but hate the US ambiguous tipping culture.

[@simplyme3306]

@@TravelWithNala not all restaurants charge service tax of 10%

[@MeiwinFu]

🎉 ✋🏻 welcome to Singapore! 🇸🇬

[@Kushal-v8b]

@@MeiwinFu yes welcome to Singapore

[@TravelWithNala]

@@MeiwinFu thanks! Great to be here

[@Booker-ig6phT]

Oh my asho

[@MrSLWK]

Welcome to Singapore bro! The place u staying is so close to the food Center call Maxwell food Center n u will see so many food of all kinds. Do explore it n avoid going any restaurants alone as it’s not worth it by yourself. U should go when your partner with you. Happy experiencing Singapore. Cheers

[@TravelWithNala]

Thanks! Been having so much good food here so far

[@hiroyukishinichi9873]

Welcome to Singapore!🤩🤗

[@TravelWithNala]

Thanks you!!! 🙏🏼

[@pitponyexpress]

Thanks David, great video! 👌

[@TravelWithNala]

Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@purpleguddess]

“Well guess what.. it’s also going to be featured on David & Kim’s channel” 😂😂😂😂 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TravelWithNala]

No lies were told

[@lucy.loves.travel]

Looks great

[@TravelWithNala]

its great here!

[@johokeen1]

😅😅😅 I just had to subscribe because you said "Rivendale"! LOTR fan here 😊😅. Btw, Great video, your reactions are very engaging 👍👏

[@TravelWithNala]

Ew nerd 😝

[@angelinarajamoothi5806]

Take the mrt ride to the heartlands where most singaporeans stay, & you will find alot of nice, local food at hawker centres & coffeeshops. Enjoy your stay.

[@TravelWithNala]

What’s considered the heartlands? Ended up spending time in Chinatown, bujis, orchard, and some other places

[@wnose]

@@TravelWithNala Imagine a 4 km circle with Marina Bay Sands at the center. Most of the subway stops in town centers outside that circle is generally considered the heartlands.

[@scorpio573]

Heartlands is where the locals stay and hang out and get most of their daily necessities from. A neighbourhood. Ask around and you will know. Welcome to Singapore.

[@bambooex]

welcome to singapore

[@TravelWithNala]

Thanks! I

[@samanthachia1491]

Haha, Jewel is part of the airport. I can see why you'd think it's a mall on its own. I have no idea how you had to cross the road to get to Jewel, since all the terminals are connected, but hey at least you got there.

[@ThingsThinking]

I'm going there for the first time in a few months on my way to Malaysia. Please go to Malaysia too. Would love to see your perspective before I get there lol.

[@TravelWithNala]

Not going to make it to Malaysia this trip but excited to check it out too in the future

[@CheeKiongYip-c3x]

Expensive. U went to the Chinatown complex but it’s full of hawker food stalls at the 2nd floor at a fraction of the price. Like $10/pax!

[@TravelWithNala]

Yeah I picked an expensive spot but I'm glad it was really delicious. The worst is when you get caught in a tourist trap and it's expensive and the food does not taste good. I don't think I've had any bad food in Singapore at all.

[@Prissyliss]

The final boss of wet rooms ☠️☠️☠️☠️literally laughed out loud 😂😂😂😂

[@TravelWithNala]

I still have ptsd from using that shower

[@Prissyliss]

I bet! I freaking with all my heart hate wet rooms with a passion! 😂😂

[@geniegal78]

If you take the sky train from T2 to T3, you will pass through the waterfall. 😊

[@TravelWithNala]

I’m going to do that next time even if I have no business in either terminal 😂

[@Kushal-v8b]

Singapore country 😊 very advanced and most expensive city in the world 🌍

[@TravelWithNala]

Very awesome city! Is it really the most expensive city? I thought it was cheaper than living in LA and NYC. I hear houses are much more expensive here but for daily life it seemed not too bad. Of course much much more expensive than Da Nang haha.

[@Kushal-v8b]

@@TravelWithNala most expensive country in South East Asia 🌏

[@TravelWithNala]

@@Kushal-v8b that i think is definitely true haha

[@kamariahabdrahim6963]

If you choose to eat at the restaurant or cafe,do expect it to be expensive.Hawker center and kopitiam are cheaper and affordable.Take a MRT and bus to everywhere in Singapore.

[@geniegal78]

Welcome to Singapore! That is an Indian temple which you had passed by. 😊

[@KG-mg4ot]

That capsule is freaking me out😂 I am claustrophobic

[@TravelWithNala]

haha it's actually pretty cozy and there's enough space for you to sit up in it. Most of the other pods you enter from the side which makes it so much better. Mine you enter from the bottom which makes it much harder to get in and out.

[@ToHu-g3t]

to take the SkyTrain and pass by the waterfall, simply just board the Skytrain from T2 to T3 or vice versa. Take the public skytrain. Not the one in transit :)

[@hq3727]

You need to use the transit train to pass by the waterfall. The public skytrain doesn't go through jewel. :)

[@ToHu-g3t]

@ no you dont have to be in transit. I took it a couple of times from public side. I visit jewel / changi almost every weekend :)

[@entrydenied]

The e-commerce scam thing on the orange juice machine is an ad by the Singapore Police Force to educate the public. So these machines don't just earn from selling juice but also ad space. Scams make up the bulk of reported crime here (I believe it makes up close to 2/3 of reported crimes) and e-commerce crimes are the most common.

[@TravelWithNala]

Haha yeah I figure it was just ad space but funny that an ecommerce scam warning was right above a credit card reader.

[@entrydenied]

@@TravelWithNala Yeah I understand that it can make people wonder if they should proceed with the transaction😄 There was a recent case where a woman saw a QR code on the glass window of a bubble tea shop so she scanned it and downloaded something thinking that it was related to the shop. Turns out it wasn't and it was a code stuck onto the window by some scammer and her phone got taken over while she was sleeping and she lost 20K overnight. So maybe the ad is meant to remind people to be more aware even when you think it's safe.

[@kelvinpeh4677]

You were like literally a few feet away from 2 food /hawker centers where you could find tons of local inexpensive food.

[@TravelWithNala]

Yeah kinda bizzare. When all you can see are closed up shops, I don't think it's anyone's instinct to try to find a way upstairs. I guess it's one of those things that you just have to know.

[@joechia8435]

Take mrt from Chinatown mrt station to Tanjong pagar mrt station can reach Carlton city hotel. No need to take grab. Visit Clarke quay (mrt station) at night for spore night life (pub) Not to miss the garden by the bay foc supertree light show at 7.45 and 8.45pm and marina bay sands at 8 & 9 pm. Eat satay at lau pa Sat (old market) satay street open from 7 pm ( raffles mrt station) enjoy 😊

[@TravelWithNala]

Thanks for the great advice! Definitley hitting MBS and the gardens. We’ll do Clark quay too

[@lagrangewei]

i suggest you figure out how the subway works.. =]

[@TravelWithNala]

Turns out it’s super easy just need to tap a credit card no need to transit cards or anything. Great system

[@bettyli6635]

I love Singapore. Surprised you don't know who Mike Chen is?

[@debbiedarcy904]

How long would you recommend to actually explore and experience the different tourist attractions at the airport please? We have booked a night at the airport hotel prior to leaving Singapore but don’t know whether to get there in the morning prior to leaving or whether we only need the afternoon and can stay in the city longer.

[@TravelWithNala]

Yeah probably just half a day. The afternoon should be fine unless you want to shop in the mall. It’s mostly just the waterfall area that’s iconic but I think it’s fun to grab a coffee and take your time.

[@debbiedarcy904]

@ excellent, thank you so much

[@TravelWithNala]

Half a day should be plenty of time unless you want to shop at the mall. The main attraction is the waterfall. Theoretically you can see it in 20 min but I think it's fun to grab a coffee and take your time.

[@lohti6399]

There is also a sugar cane machine somewhere. These drink machines are good these days 😂

[@TravelWithNala]

aw I missed those! I love sugar cane juice. That would have been cool to see those machines in action.

[@hq3727]

@@TravelWithNala I think there's one sugar cane machine near Bugis area! (one of the shopping malls near Bugis)

[@geministar0607]

Can go Maxwell market to try our local Singapore foods. It’s slightly cheaper !

[@publicspeakingconsultant]

Welcome to Singapore. Which camera and wireless microphone did you use to film this?

[@TravelWithNala]

Thanks! Dji osmo pocket. No mic

[@yappyyap7594]

GST = Goods & Services Tax. Restaurant prices are expensive, restaurant prices at Chinatown (tourist spot) is even more expensive! That Chinatown Complex where you walked into the ground floor and thought everything is closed has the largest hawker centre in Singapore (500+ stalls) located on the second floor!! You missed it! You can get a simple meal at SGD4 there. MRT train from Changi Airport can bring you to Chinatown, you just need to know which station/line to transfer. Either (Changi Airport -- Tanah Merah -- Outram Park -- Chinatown) OR C(hangi Airport -- Expo -- Chinatown) and should costs you SGD2+ within an hour travelling time, all transfers are within the stations. In conclusion, eat at hawker centres or food courts (inside malls) and take public transport (especially MRT), that will save you lots of $$$.

[@crosbyong]

Welcome to Singapore! 🇸🇬 I hope you serendipitous adventure is not going to cost you unnecessarily. I trust you’ll get lots of advice. If not too late, note that you can get lots of things and food arguably cheap here. Use our public transport (bus & train), eat our hawker centres and/or coffeeshops for local cuisines & more, and Google for many free things to do in Singapore that are free. Have fun!

[@TravelWithNala]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I’m happy to spend money for great experiences and great food but also love learning about how the locals live! So far having a great time I’m actually really impressed by the country

[@crosbyong]

@@TravelWithNala if you’re here a few more days, I’m happy to offer some quick personal recommendations for food and/or things to over coffee or afternoon tea - my treat. Let me know. My KZbin notifications are not turned on, but I’ll keep a lookout. No obligation.

[@terrytay1774]

So much cheaper food all around! Omg@

[@joechia8435]

There is a food center at 2nd floor with nice and low price local food opposite Carlton city hotel

[@TravelWithNala]

I walked by so many hawker centers all around downtown. It's awesome have convenient everything is here.

[@yoominbi]

You hoping for an aisle seat if so relatable. I'm at that age that i dgaf with the view out the window and would rather have a seat that allows me to go toilet easily.

[@TravelWithNala]

Id rather suffer than awkwardly ask aisle person if I can scoot past them T_T

[@AndrewHahaLee]

Expense wise, essentially you can survive in Singapore 70% without a wallet once you have the essential apps downloaded and your card(s) added. In an already busy, competitive society, having to think less is more.

[@jaimarsumalabe4398]

Hi! Where did you exchange your money? Is it better to use money or cards?

[@TravelWithNala]

I ended up using credit card for everything my entire time here.

[@glcheong]

Hi David, welcome to Singapore. Been following your channel for sometime. If you are free maybe we can meetup for a cup of coffee 😀

[@TravelWithNala]

Cool! Sorry but we’re already gone 😭 movie magic

[@glcheong]

@@TravelWithNalaOh, thought you just arrived in Singapore.

[@davidteh7909]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2220">37:00</a> food... Level 2 😂

[@yamuiemata]

Only the true fans will understand why you compared the waterfall to Rivendell 😅

[@TravelWithNala]

😂😂😂

[@joechia8435]

Can visit maxwell food market for Tien Tien chicken rice opposite Buddha tooth relic temple (just opposite where you saw Kim’s hotel at the traffic junction earlier)

[@TravelWithNala]

So many foods to try and so little time. I’m going to have to make another trip here soon

[@simplyme3306]

Tian Tian is too touristy. Locals don't even eat them. Those in the line are mostly tourists. Many more cheaper and great chicken rice options at many hawker centres etc.

[@TemplarLove]

Tian Tian is overrated, please don’t introduce tourists to these type of stores.

[@RobertS-h7r]

@@TemplarLove TianTian 天天 is nothing but SO-SO, over-rated and over-hyped, suspect it is just a marketing stun... absolutely no worth the ridiculously long queue...

[@maeverickmind]

It’s a different side, but it’s not the wrong side. The US is not the default measure of things. I think this is something you’ll have to come to accept as you travel far & wide.

[@TravelWithNala]

Issa joke ✌🏼

[@cheeyoon]

Bangkok vlog next

[@TravelWithNala]

Gotta do it

[@txpepper]

Singapore is verrrry expensive! But credit cards are readily accepted [and way too easy to use]! 😁

[@TravelWithNala]

Yeah, I definitely have to change up my spending habits while I’m here

[@yp8839]

Not true

[@adminavatar]

You guys are 2k subs away from 10k.

[@TravelWithNala]

We’re on the way!!

[@adminavatar]

@@TravelWithNala you guys will have 100k in no time!

[@TravelWithNala]

@@adminavatar speak it into existence!!

[@doel89]

i was assuming u are paranoid.. but its just us singaporean that are complacent

[@TravelWithNala]

That just called being from America 😂

[@TumiTingin]

you remind me of my American cousins, trust issues and always computing costs.

[@TravelWithNala]

Haha it’s not trust issues it’s just not learning the new currency in a new country

[@kamariahabdrahim6963]

​@@TravelWithNala What if you come from 3rd world country with a weaker currency..i guess you would faint when converting everything? Haha! As you know Singapore is the only 1st world country in Southeast Asia with the strongest currency than the rest of the region here.

[@fern0110]

Singapore is a expensive city man!

[@TravelWithNala]

Yeah but worth it imo. I’ll be back for sure

[@dlmhdlmh]

You really hit all the tourist traps. A quick google would have shown you where to eat and avoid $33 dinners.

[@TravelWithNala]

I was literally googling the whole time I was walking around 😂. Everything kept being closed. I have no problem paying up for good food

[@kaiyin3842]

you will see a lot of scam prevention ads in Singapore, need to warn people to not get scammed. a lot of scammers from overseas.

[@TravelWithNala]

It’s not wonder Singapore is the safest city the world, they’re very proactive

[@susanstacytan4791]

Take metro train and eat at hawker centre

[@jytay5062]

you can scan your credit card at the subway gantry :) no need to buy a separate card! jewel is actually part of t1 airport, you had to cross the road bc that was simply a shortcut

[@TravelWithNala]

That’s a pretty awesome system

[@surge3159]

Lmao my 24hr layover was in Singapore back from Vietnam I also had price shocked

[@TravelWithNala]

Haha yeah so close in distance but so far in reality

[@chalayan]

All the plants in the Changi airport are real, we don't uses fake plants :) and also pls pls pls do not compare the price of other countries in South East Asia to Singapore as we are the only developed country in S.E.A. Hence, the price is way more expensive. Likewise for prices in the US especially NYC is far way more expensive than small city the US.

[@TravelWithNala]

I live in Vietnam and I’m visiting Singapore. Of course I will compare the two 😂. I’m not a tour guide I’m a vlogger. I talk about my life

[@chalayan]

@@TravelWithNala would be better if u compare an apple to an apple but not a developed country to a non developed country :)

[@TravelWithNala]

@@chalayan I’m comparing where I live and where I’m visiting lol. This is not an analysis this is just my thoughts

[@chalayan]

@@TravelWithNala okay okay okay lol

[@TravelWithNala]

@@chalayan 😉

[@davidteh7909]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="259">4:19</a> likely Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew

[@seanbaby7857]

You should experience the local lifestyle like a typical singaporean and especially when you are counting $ and cents. You don’t have to pay $26 for a Grab ride when you can take the MRT train that will cost less than S$3! You can drink the coffee at our local coffee joints in the heartlands for less than $2 (US$1.50)! I always cringe when foreigners are getting it all wrong when they compare watermelons to grapes without doing the necessary groundworks before coming over to SG.

[@TravelWithNala]

I’m on vacation let me live! Never understood why ppl get mad when I spend my own money 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@seanbaby7857]

@@TravelWithNala you have misunderstood me badly. First, am not mad as you rightfully pointed out that’s your money. Secondly, putting my comments here is merely to educate others who watch your vlog. Last but not least is that this is not personal. Hope you have enjoyed your trip to SG!

[@suzanaadawanable]

Prime Minister LKY vision

[@faithalone2171]

This capsule hotel is not good. Try others.

[@TravelWithNala]

That’s probably my last capsule hotel

[@theelitelifeee]

Lol that capsule is awful

[@TravelWithNala]

Tried to stay positive. Failed. 😂

[@theelitelifeee]

@@TravelWithNala it’s good exp to rehumble you i guess but f that

[@theelitelifeee]

@@TravelWithNala sg is boring in general imo. Theres nothing to do and its hot

[@theelitelifeee]

@@yp8839 😂

[@MrJonslife]

When you say singapore doesn't have its own distinct food, you are going to trigger every Singaporean and make every Malaysian happy. Maybe you can learn a little bit about our country before coming here. It is like going to Korea and saying every korean food comes from China.

[@TravelWithNala]

Well yeah that’s why I said “I could be wrong, let me know in the comments”. Look through the comments. All I see are Singaporeans being welcoming, sharing and educating. You’re the only one that’s triggered 😂

[@ryoutacooks]

Uhh its not that deep, singapore was a part of malaysia so i dont see a problem. Why do u have to bring up malaysia?

[@theelitelifeee]

Most overrated airport

[@TravelWithNala]

I was pretty impressed actually. But more for how fast all the systems were

[@theelitelifeee]

@@TravelWithNala yeah it’s fast but besides that and a waterfall lol. They have shake shack though

[@Buttercookies0]

@@theelitelifeee Shake Shack is the one overrated, mpo.

[@theelitelifeee]

@@Buttercookies0 nope lol.

[@RobertS-h7r]

no, changi airport is NOT over-rated, really most impressive and most comfortable airport... so tranquil when walking around it...