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What to bring to Singapore?

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djfiii
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What to bring to Singapore?

Post by djfiii » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 7:37 am

Hello,

My wife and I are likely moving to Singapore from the US in a few months. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on stuff to bring that wasn't obvious - i.e. things that, once you were there, you wished you had brought. We have a short list of stuff like our clothes, a few electronic and kitchen items, our dogs, and some other personal effects, but I'd like to benefit from the experience of those that have already made the move :)

Thanks!

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nakatago
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Re: What to bring to Singapore?

Post by nakatago » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 8:41 am

djfiii wrote:a few electronic and kitchen items
Note that Singapore has 220-240 volts, 50 Hz and uses that s#!+, ugly-huge, three-pronged UK plug. More here: http://treehouse.ofb.net/go/en/voltage/Singapore

Also, bring sandals.
"A quokka is what would happen if there was an anime about kangaroos."

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 9:07 am

The best all-round general advice, I think, came from one of our regulars, road.not.taken. If it isn't marked dual voltage switchable on it, leave it home. Most can be purchased here cheaply and left/garage sold when you leave here.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

djfiii
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Post by djfiii » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:34 am

ahh bummer, I have a fantastic juice extractor that I'm not going to want to leave behind.

anything other than sandals? as an example, one of my wife's coworkers said Advil is only available by prescription there, so we were going to bring a large bottle, sufficient to last at least until we visit the states again. I'm just trying to discover other little things like that, where once you start to get settled, you think to yourself "hmm, this would have been easier if I had just brought that from home...."

anyhoo, thanks for the tips!

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nakatago
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Post by nakatago » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:55 am

Rubbing alcohol is uncommon here and if you do find a bottle, it's relatively very expensive.
"A quokka is what would happen if there was an anime about kangaroos."

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Post by missis » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:01 am

djfiii wrote:ahh bummer, I have a fantastic juice extractor that I'm not going to want to leave behind.

anything other than sandals? as an example, one of my wife's coworkers said Advil is only available by prescription there, so we were going to bring a large bottle, sufficient to last at least until we visit the states again. I'm just trying to discover other little things like that, where once you start to get settled, you think to yourself "hmm, this would have been easier if I had just brought that from home...."

anyhoo, thanks for the tips!
Nurofen (Ibuprofen) also.
You can buy a transformer if you are that attached to your juicer. Or buy another juicer here (there's a big range in Harvey Norman)

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Post by irvine » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 1:27 pm

Tip on Rubbing alcohol, we've found in Mustafa $5.50 for a 500ml, compared to $4.70 for a 150ml at Watson.

Bring Nyquil if you use it.

Good walking shoe or sandal.

If you're bringing any water filter (pitcher type), do bring also the replacement filters. Ours is a Pur brand one, and I can't seem to find its replacement filter here in Singapore.

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Post by Saint » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 1:38 pm

Also bring a sense of humour otherwise you wont survive here :cool:

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Post by missis » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 1:42 pm

Best advice so far :D

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Re: What to bring to Singapore?

Post by curiousgeorge » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 1:56 pm

nakatago wrote:
Note that Singapore has 220-240 volts, 50 Hz and uses that s#!+, ugly-huge, three-pronged UK plug.
The safest household connector, Type-G, I think you mean :p
djfiii wrote:
anything other than sandals? as an example, one of my wife's coworkers said Advil is only available by prescription there, so we were going to bring a large bottle, sufficient to last at least until we visit the states again.
If it's prescription only, then you'd be breaking the law bringing it into Singapore. They don't like drug smugglers much over here :o
missis wrote:
Nurofen (Ibuprofen) also.
You can get Ibuprofen here over the counter, but only in little packets of six or twelve. Much prefer the bottles of 1500 from the States..."dancer candy" we call it in my biz :)

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Re: What to bring to Singapore?

Post by Splatted » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 9:20 pm

curiousgeorge wrote:
missis wrote:
Nurofen (Ibuprofen) also.
You can get Ibuprofen here over the counter, but only in little packets of six or twelve. Much prefer the bottles of 1500 from the States..."dancer candy" we call it in my biz :)
You can always ask for a script from the doctor (when you're there next time) so that you can buy it in larger quantities from the pharmacy.

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Re: What to bring to Singapore?

Post by nakatago » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 9:29 pm

curiousgeorge wrote: The safest household connector, Type-G, I think you mean :p
Doesn't change the fact that it's s#!+-@$$, ugly-huge. It can make a celfone adapter twice as huge.
"A quokka is what would happen if there was an anime about kangaroos."

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road.not.taken
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Post by road.not.taken » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 9:32 pm

Gosh ~ we've covered this so many times. There are lots of lists and suggestions in other posts/topics. Djfiii, search the forum, you'll come up with lots of wisdom. Good luck.

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Post by djfiii » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 9:32 pm

All good tips, thanks!

I tend to use Advil and Ibuprofen interchangeably, so perhaps I am confusing the two. I definitely don't want to smuggle anything in :) It might be the case that she was told you can only get Ibuprofen in tiny packets (as opposed to by scrip only), and that we should bring one of those big jugs with us.

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Post by road.not.taken » Wed, 07 Jul 2010 9:41 pm

If it were me, I'd go to COSTCO and load up on all over=the-counter items I use and health & beauty stuff I know I can't find in Singapore as well. In fact, that is what I do every year while I'm home. Sunscreen in the US is much better and cheaper than it is in the US and hydrocortizone and antibiotic ointments are only available through a pharmacist. If I don't need it, one of my friends do. I also bring back the big bottle of real vanilla which costs 20 times what it costs here in the US and nuts. Yes, I like to bake.

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