My favourite shopping complex in Singapore which I visit regularly. Its close proximity to where I usually stay in Singapore makes it easy to get to. I take the MRT from Bras Basah to Dhoby Ghaut, one stop on the Circle Line, walk upstairs through B1 and B2 and you’re into the mall.

All the eateries are in B1 and B2. Other places to eat are in the Atrium which is connected to Plaza Singapura on several levels, starting from the ground floor. Both the Atrium and Plaza Singapura face Orchard Road.

At Singapura I’ve bought collectables from Play United* and Simply Toys for my kids. Also sandals and t-shirts from the stalls on the ground floor, a cabin case, laptop/messenger bag, backpack and luggage straps from The Travel Store, drawing and art materials from Art Friend and food from various outlets, including bakery Four Leaves, Pizza Hut, Mos Burger, Burger King and others.

* Play United no longer has a shop at Plaza Singapura.

For more information on opening hours, stores, promotions, etc., visit the CapitaLand Plaza Singapura website.

Handy Place to Buy Groceries

Great little supermarket. It was recommended to us by Laura from The Happy Unicorn apartment in Via Palazzuolo.

The supermarket, Pam local, is located in Piazza degli Ottaviani (corner of Via Palazzuolo, Via dei Fossi and Via della Spada), and close to Piazza di Santa Maria Novella. It is about a five or so minute walk from the apartment where we stayed.

It’s not the cheapest but still reasonable especially when you haven’t got time to go to the larger fruit and vegetable markets and supermarkets. Handy to buy fruit, vegetables, pre packed salads, ready meals, bread, biscuits, cakes, general groceries, toiletries, laundry products, etc., when you just need them. Open from 8am until 10pm. Service also very good. Few of the guys also know some English.

For opening times visit Pam Firenze Ottaviani. For more information on Pam supermarkets and locations visit Pam Panorama. Website in Italian language only.

Note: The actual name of the supermarket is Pam Firenze Ottaviani.

Handy Apple Reseller At Changi Airport Singapore

iStudio is an Apple premium reseller in Singapore.

Been to several of their stores, Plaza Singapura and at Changi Airport, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

If you want to purchase something at the airport while transiting a good idea is to check their website first before arriving to see if they have what you require. All shops have plenty of accessories, but if you are looking to purchase an iPhone, iPad or MacBook make sure to check. Otherwise you can always order online and pickup later. I wanted an Apple Pencil as I bought an iPad Pro 12.9 for my daughter several weeks earlier at home in Australia and the Pencil was out of stock. She wanted the iPad with her so she could draw while on the plane and during our holiday. I checked their website and went to Terminal 2 (as Terminal 3 didn’t have any) and bought the Pencil and a Lightning Cable, both minus the 7 percent GST (tax).

So if you want to purchase something, it is best done at the Airport where the GST is automatically taken out of the price. In other words tax free. If you do it in their other stores you need to either pick up the eTRS ticket or use a credit/debit card as a token and then go through the process when at the airport.

Prices are very similar worldwide. A little more in some cases compared to Australia, but they are there just in case you need Apple accessories. The staff I’ve met over the years have been good too.

Do I recommend shopping at their airport stores? Make sure to get clear answers from the staff and know they have the stock available first. Then I would say yes. Remember though there isn’t much to save buying Apple gear in Singapore unless there is some huge sale or you have accumulated many Changi Dollars (a promotion run by Changi Airport aimed at transiting passengers from certain countries), like I did on another visit when I had $SGD120.00. Then by all means check them out.

For more information on products, sale items, store locations, etc., visit the iStudio Singapore website.

Moderately Priced Shopping Mall

One of my favourite malls in Singapore. Plaza Singapura is located at the eastern end of Orchard Road, Singapore’s famous shopping strip.

Easily reached by bus and MRT, the mall sits atop of Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Escalators from the platforms take you to the basement floor of the mall, but if you’ve never been before make sure to read the signs carefully as Dhoby Ghaut is a major interchange for three MRT lines, North South Line (red), North East Line (purple) and Circle Line (yellow).

I usually come from Bras Basah on the Circle Line, a one station hop to the terminus and a short escalator ride to the entrance of the food court on the basement floor. Still using the MRT it’s easily reachable from other touristy areas of Singapore: Chinatown, Clarke Quay, Little India and the western end of Orchard Road.

The multi-level shopping mall has a large central atrium with escalators on each end. Lifts are also available for the elderly, disable and families. You’ll find all manner of retail shops, from clothing, shoes, homewares, to luggage, art and craft, etc. Cafes and restaurants are also plentiful.

On the top floor there’s an entertainment area with arcade games and a cinema. Back on the ground floor in the middle of the atrium, a street style market sets up every day with tables of clothes, shoes, cosmetics, small electrical gear, phone accessories, luggage, etc. Vendors change day by day.

If you are a collector of figurines and movie replicas I recommend this mall. Several shops are scattered on lower floors, the majority on the top 7th floor. Plaza Singapura is also connected to The Atrium at Orchard via internal walkways on levels 1, 3 and 4.

A great place to shop and start your journey up Orchard Road.

For more information on opening hours, stores, promotions, etc., visit the CapitaLand Plaza Singapura website.

Photos © Carlo Irlitti

Shopaholic’s Paradise & More

When I’m in Singapore, three or four times a year (latest October and November 2016), I cannot miss a visit to Orchard Road, the shopping mecca of the city state.

My personal favourites are Plaza Singapura, ION Orchard and Takashimaya. Been to others too, like the high-end Paragon and the seemingly rundown low-end Lucky Plaza.

Every time I visit I find time to discover something new. Three words of advice for first timers. One, try to score a map of some of the bigger centres like ION Orchard. If you don’t, you’ll lose your bearings. These places are like labyrinths (or worse still rabbit warrens).

Two, you won’t see everything in one day. You’ll need to come back at some stage. It’s hard enough to shop in one department store or mall imagine a whole street of them!

Three, if you’re not a shopaholic, just cruise around, maybe even stop to have a bite or a beer, even a icecream, then sit down and watch the crowd. Prices for food in Orchard Road are a little dearer than back home in Australia. They won’t break the bank, besides you’re there to enjoy.

For more information on Orchard Road and what’s happening visit the Orchard Road Business Association website.